Ducted Heating Solutions for Your Installation Requirements

Installing ducted heating requires setting up a central unit that circulates warm or cool air throughout your home via ducts located in the ceiling or under the floor. Each room receives air through strategically positioned vents, and a wall-mounted controller manages the temperature, providing complete climate control for your entire house. In Melbourne, homeowners often prefer electric reverse cycle ducted heating, as this system efficiently offers heating in winter and cooling in summer through the same vents. Gas ducted heating is another viable option. This guide presents a detailed comparison of both systems.

This guide will explore the installation process of ducted heating, including essential components such as sizing, zoning, ductwork, the outdoor unit, and what to expect on installation day. We will also discuss the operating costs of gas systems, the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) rebate available for transitioning to electric systems, and important questions to consider when selecting an installer.

Key Insights on Ducted Heating Installation

• According to the Australian Government’s energy.gov.au, reverse cycle air conditioners have efficiency ratings ranging from 300% to 600%.
• Energy.gov.au also highlights that ducted reverse cycle systems are more economical than gas heating systems.
• Most installations can typically be completed in a single day, although larger homes or complex duct layouts may require an additional day.
• The VEU rebate applies when an old gas heater is replaced with a qualifying reverse cycle system.

What Types of Ducted Heating Systems Are Available for Your Home?

In Melbourne, homeowners can choose between two main types of ducted heating systems, with an option to add cooling to an existing gas system.

• Electric Reverse Cycle Ducted Heating and Cooling. This system comprises both an outdoor and an indoor unit, working in tandem to heat or cool your entire home through a single set of vents. It is the most commonly installed system, and further information can be found on our ducted reverse cycle air conditioning page.
• Gas Ducted Heating. This system utilises a gas furnace to create warm air, which is circulated through the ducts by a fan. While gas ducted heating installations still occur, many Melbourne homeowners are opting to transition away from gas instead of installing new gas heaters.
• Add-on Cooling for an Existing Gas Heater. If your gas ducted heater is relatively modern, you can incorporate an add-on cooling system that uses the same ducts and controller to provide cooling.

If your gas heater is outdated, frequently requiring repairs or incurring high operating costs, consider upgrading to an electric reverse cycle ducted system. This solution offers both heating and cooling in one installation. Our detailed guide on replacing gas ducted heating with electric heating provides further insights into this transition.

How Does Reverse Cycle Ducted Heating Function?

Reverse cycle ducted heating operates by transferring heat rather than generating it. The Australian Government’s energy.gov.au heating and cooling guide 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%. In comparison, an electric bar heater converts one unit of electricity into one unit of heat.

During winter, the outdoor unit extracts heat from the external 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 the ducts to each vent. In summer, the process reverses, allowing the same system to cool your home. For a comprehensive explanation of how a refrigerated reverse cycle system operates, please refer to our article detailing each component.

How Is Ducted Heating Properly Sized for Your Home?

Proper sizing is essential to ensure that your ducted heating system operates efficiently during Melbourne’s cold mornings. An undersized system struggles to warm distant rooms, while an oversized system incurs unnecessary expenses. Energy.gov.au recommends selecting a model with the appropriate capacity for your home and consulting with experts 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 help us determine duct runs before our visit. For comprehensive guidance on sizing a ducted heating system tailored to your Melbourne home, refer to our sizing guide.

Is Zoning a Vital Feature for Your New Ducted Heating System?

Zoning functionality allows you to control which rooms receive heating. For example, you may prefer to keep bedrooms unheated during the day while warming living areas at night, rather than heating the entire house at once. If your previous gas ducted heater lacked zoning capabilities, it is advisable to opt for a zoned system during your new installation, as this simplifies the configuration process.

Thermostat settings are also crucial. Energy.gov.au states 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 needing to run the system continuously throughout the day.

What Changes Occur to Ductwork and Vents During Installation?

New ducting is installed with every system installation. Existing ducting from an old gas heater typically does not suit a reverse cycle system and often accumulates 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 installing 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.

What Is the Optimal Location for the Outdoor Unit?

A reverse cycle ducted system consists of both an outdoor and an indoor unit, connected through pipes that carry refrigerant. The outdoor unit is located outside the house. During the in-home assessment, we discuss its placement with you. If your property presents unique challenges, we identify the most suitable location before the installation day.

What Is the Average Duration for Ducted Heating Installation?

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

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, eliminating the need for a separate tradesperson. If you continue to use gas for hot water or cooking, those connections will remain intact. Before concluding our visit, we ensure that the new system operates correctly and provide instructions on using the controls.

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

How Do the Operating Costs of Ducted Reverse Cycle Heating Compare to Gas Ducted Heating?

As reported by Energy.gov.au, the operating costs for ducted gas heating can be significant due to high gas consumption and the electricity required for the fans. In contrast, ducted reverse cycle systems are generally considered more cost-effective than gas heating. Ducted systems tend to be less efficient than wall-mounted units, primarily due to larger fans and energy loss through ductwork, making proper sizing and duct design essential.

Your running costs will depend on various factors, including your home’s size, insulation quality, zoning usage, and whether you have solar panels installed. A reverse cycle system can use your solar power during daylight hours, a benefit unavailable 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 encourages households to transition 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 Important Questions Should You Ask Before Accepting a Ducted Heating Installation Quote?

Comparing ducted heating quotes can be intricate, as one quote may encompass elements that another omits. Use these questions to effectively assess quotes:

• Is the quoted price all-inclusive, with the VEU rebate already factored in?
• Does the quote include new ducting and vents, or does it propose 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 cover?
• Who will manage the removal of the old gas heater and capping the gas line?
• Will the installation be carried out by the installer’s own team or outsourced to subcontractors?
• What warranty accompanies the workmanship of the installation?

Select Beyond Heating and Cooling for Dependable Ducted Heating Installation in Melbourne’s Northern Suburbs

Beyond Heating and Cooling offers expert 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 carried out by our licensed team, not subcontractors. We provide a solid workmanship guarantee for our services.

Every quote starts 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 work with a variety of leading heating and cooling brands to recommend the most appropriate system tailored to your needs.

If you are considering installing 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.