Ducted Heating Installation: Essential Considerations to Know

Installing ducted heating entails setting up a central unit that efficiently circulates warm or cool air throughout your home via ducts located in the ceiling or under the floor. Each room receives conditioned air through carefully positioned vents, and temperature regulation is managed through a wall-mounted controller. This approach ensures comprehensive climate control throughout the entire house. In Melbourne, many homeowners favour electric reverse cycle ducted heating for its capacity to provide heating in winter and cooling in summer using the same vents. Gas ducted heating is also a viable option, and this guide offers a detailed comparison of both systems.

This guide presents an extensive overview of the ducted heating installation process, addressing crucial components such as system sizing, zoning, ductwork, the outdoor unit, and what to anticipate on the installation day. We will explore the operating costs associated with gas systems, explain the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) rebate for transitioning to electric systems, and highlight important questions to pose to any installer before making a decision.

Key Insights into Ducted Heating Installation

• According to the Australian Government’s energy.gov.au, reverse cycle air conditioners have efficiency ratings that range from 300% to 600%.
• Energy.gov.au also indicates that ducted reverse cycle systems operate more cost-effectively than gas heating systems.
• Most installations can typically be completed in a single day, although larger homes or intricate duct layouts might require an additional day.
• The VEU rebate is applicable when replacing an outdated gas heater with a qualifying reverse cycle system.

What Are the Best Ducted Heating Solutions for Your Home?

There are two main types of ducted heating systems available for homes in Melbourne, along with an option to add cooling to an existing gas system.

• <a href="https://writebuff.com/air-conditioner-summer-ready-6-signs-you-must-check/">Electric Reverse Cycle Ducted Heating and Cooling.</a> This system includes both an outdoor and an indoor unit that work in tandem to heat or cool your entire home through a single set of vents. It is the most commonly installed system, and further details can be found on our ducted reverse cycle air conditioning page.
• Gas Ducted Heating. A gas furnace generates warm air, which is circulated through the ducts by a fan. While gas ducted heating installations are still performed, many Melbourne homeowners are moving away from gas rather than installing new gas heaters.
• Add-on Cooling for an Existing Gas Heater. If your gas ducted heater is relatively modern, an add-on cooling system can be integrated, utilising the same ducts and controller to provide cooling.

If your gas heater is ageing and requiring frequent repairs, or if it leads to high operating costs, consider upgrading to an electric reverse cycle ducted system. This option provides both heating and cooling in a single installation. For more information on transitioning from gas ducted heating to electric heating, check out our comprehensive guide.

How Does Reverse Cycle Ducted Heating Operate?

Reverse cycle ducted heating functions by transferring heat rather than generating it. The heating and cooling guide from the Australian Government’s energy.gov.au explains that reverse cycle air conditioners can convert one unit of electrical energy into three to six times more heating or cooling energy, achieving efficiency ratings between 300% and 600%. This is in stark contrast to an electric bar heater, which converts one unit of electricity into one unit of heat.

During winter, the outdoor unit extracts heat from the surrounding air and transports it indoors through refrigerant pipes. The indoor unit, situated in the roof space or under the floor, distributes this warm air through ducts to each vent. The process reverses in summer, allowing the same system to cool your home. For an in-depth explanation of how a refrigerated reverse cycle system works, please refer to our article detailing each component.

What Is the Proper Way to Size Ducted Heating for Your Home?

Accurate sizing is essential to ensure that a ducted heating system performs effectively during chilly Melbourne mornings. An undersized system struggles to warm distant rooms, while an oversized system incurs unnecessary costs. Energy.gov.au recommends selecting a model with the right capacity for your home and consulting professionals before making significant purchases like ducted heating and cooling.

During our home assessment, we evaluate the number of rooms and vents, the duct routing (whether through the ceiling or under the floor), whether your home is single or multi-storey, and the intended use of each room. Providing house plans can assist us in determining duct runs prior to our visit. For detailed guidance on sizing a ducted heating system tailored to your Melbourne home, refer to our sizing guide.

Is Zoning a Useful Feature for Your Ducted Heating System?

Zoning functionality allows you to control which rooms receive heating. For instance, you might prefer to keep bedrooms unheated during the day and living areas unheated at night, rather than heating the entire house at once. If your previous gas ducted heater lacked zoning, consider installing a zoned system during the new installation, as it simplifies the configuration process.

Thermostat settings are also crucial. Energy.gov.au highlights that increasing heating by each degree in winter can raise your energy consumption by 5% to 10%. Most systems we install are controllable via mobile applications, allowing you to activate heating before returning home from work, ensuring a warm environment upon your arrival without the need for continuous operation throughout the day.

What Modifications Are Made to Ductwork and Vents During Installation?

New ducting is installed with every system installation. Existing ducting from an old gas heater often cannot accommodate a reverse cycle system and is typically filled with dust from years of use. The new ducting is appropriately sized for both heating and cooling, connecting to the same outlet points in your ceiling or floor, resulting in new vents and grilles rather than patched openings from the previous system.

For ceiling installations, we access the roof space by removing tiles or sheets, dismantling the old unit and ducts, and fitting the new system and ductwork in their place. Approximately one-third of the homes we encounter have floor ducting, where the indoor unit is installed in the subfloor, requiring careful handling due to limited access.

Where Should the Outdoor Unit Be Located for Optimal Performance?

A reverse cycle ducted system comprises both an outdoor and an indoor unit, connected through pipes that transport refrigerant. The outdoor unit is placed outside the house. We discuss its location with you during the in-home assessment, and if your property presents challenges, we identify the most suitable position before the installation day.

What Is the Typical Duration for Ducted Heating Installation?

Most ducted heating installations are completed within a single day. Larger homes or more complex duct layouts may extend the installation timeframe to a second day. We confirm the expected duration during our assessment, ensuring you are well-informed about what to expect before work commences.

On installation day, our team removes the old heater, installs the new ducting and vents, sets up both the indoor and outdoor units, and connects the controller. As licensed mechanical plumbers, we can also cap the gas line of the old heater during the installation, negating the need for a separate tradesperson. If you continue to use gas for hot water or cooking, those connections remain intact. Before we conclude our visit, we ensure that the new system operates correctly and provide instructions on how to use the controls.

For detailed information on what to expect on installation day, refer to our article outlining the heating and cooling installation process.

How Do the Running Costs of Ducted Reverse Cycle Heating Compare with Gas Ducted Heating?

Energy.gov.au states that the operating costs for ducted gas heating can be substantial due to high gas consumption and the electricity required for the fans. In contrast, ducted reverse cycle systems are generally regarded as more cost-effective than gas heating. Ducted systems often have lower efficiency than wall-mounted units, primarily due to larger fans and energy loss through ductwork, making proper sizing and duct design crucial.

Your running costs will vary based on your home’s size, insulation quality, zoning usage, and whether you have solar panels installed. A reverse cycle system can utilise your solar power during daylight hours, a benefit not available with gas heating. Our comparison of ducted gas and reverse cycle heating for Melbourne homes provides an in-depth analysis of running cost figures.

How Does the VEU Rebate Function When Transitioning from Gas Ducted Heating?

The Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) programme incentivises households that switch from gas heating to an efficient electric system. The rebate applies when an existing gas heating appliance is removed and replaced with a qualifying premium inverter reverse cycle system. Generally, if a home has never had gas heating, the rebate will not apply.

We manage all VEU paperwork during the installation process, and the rebate is deducted from your payment at the point of sale, eliminating the need for you to fill out forms or wait for a refund. Our article on the VEU rebate clarifies the eligibility criteria and coverage details.

What Key Questions Should You Ask Before Accepting a Ducted Heating Installation Quote?

Ducted heating quotes can be intricate to compare, as one quote might include elements that another does not. Use these questions to evaluate quotes effectively:

• Is the quoted price all-inclusive, with the VEU rebate already factored in?
• Does the quote cover new ducting and vents, or does it suggest reusing existing ducts?
• Was the system sized based on an in-home assessment or merely through a phone consultation?
• Is zoning included, and how many zones does the quote accommodate?
• Who is responsible for removing the old gas heater and capping the gas line?
• Will the installation be carried out by the installer’s team or subcontracted out?
• What workmanship guarantee accompanies the installation?

Choose Beyond Heating and Cooling for Dependable Ducted Heating Installation in Melbourne’s North

Beyond Heating and Cooling provides professional installation of ducted heating and cooling systems across Melbourne’s northern and northeastern suburbs. Our team consists of qualified refrigeration mechanics and mechanical plumbers who specialise in both refrigerant and gas systems. We hold an ARC refrigerant handling licence (L073783), and all installations are performed by our licensed team, not subcontractors. We offer a robust workmanship guarantee for our services.

Every quote begins with a complimentary in-home assessment. We evaluate your current heating system, ducts, and home layout, discuss the most suitable system options, and provide a quote that includes the VEU rebate where applicable. We collaborate with a variety of leading heating and cooling brands to recommend the best system tailored to your needs.

If you are considering the installation of new ducted heating, call us at 1800 239 663 or request a quote online. Adam or another team member will be happy to assist you in exploring your home’s options. You can also view our complete range of ducted heating and cooling installations.