Ducted Heating Installation: Exploring Your Options

Installing ducted heating involves setting up a central unit that distributes warm or cool air throughout your home via ducts in the ceiling or under the floor. Each room receives air through vents, and you control the temperature using a wall-mounted controller for the entire house. In Melbourne, many homeowners prefer electric reverse cycle ducted heating, as this system efficiently provides both heating in winter and cooling in summer from the same vents. Gas ducted heating remains an option, and this guide provides a comparison of both systems.

This guide outlines the installation process for ducted heating, covering essential aspects such as sizing, zoning, ductwork, the outdoor unit, and the installation day itself. We also examine the running costs associated with gas systems, how the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) rebate applies when transitioning to electric, and the key questions to ask any installer before making a commitment.

Essential Insights on Ducted Heating Installation

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

What Ducted Heating Options Are Available for Your Home?

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

• Electric Reverse Cycle Ducted Heating and Cooling. This system features both an outdoor and an indoor unit, working in tandem to heat or cool your entire house through a single set of vents. This is our most frequently installed system, and you can find further details on our ducted reverse cycle air conditioning page.
• Gas Ducted Heating. A gas furnace generates warm air, which a fan circulates through the ducts. While we still install gas ducted heating, many Melbourne households are opting to transition away from gas rather than installing new gas heaters.
• Add-on Cooling for an Existing Gas Heater. If your gas ducted heater is relatively new, an add-on cooling system can be integrated, using the same ducts and controller to provide cooling.

If your gas heater is ageing, requiring frequent repairs or incurring high running costs, consider upgrading to an electric reverse cycle ducted system. This option offers both heating and cooling in a single installation. Our detailed guide on replacing gas ducted heating with electric heating provides further insights on 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 contrast, an electric bar heater only converts one unit of electricity into one unit of heat.

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

How Is Ducted Heating Sized to Suit Your Home?

Proper sizing is crucial for ensuring that a ducted heating system performs effectively on a chilly Melbourne morning. An undersized system struggles to heat distant rooms, while an oversized system incurs unnecessary costs. Energy.gov.au recommends selecting a model with the appropriate capacity for your home and consulting experts before making significant purchases like ducted heating and cooling.

During our home assessment, we consider 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 usage of each room. Having house plans available can help us determine duct runs prior to our visit. For detailed guidance on sizing a ducted heating system for your Melbourne home, refer to our sizing guide.

Should Your New Ducted Heating System Include Zoning?

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

The thermostat settings are also significant. Energy.gov.au states that each additional degree of heating in winter can increase your energy consumption by 5% to 10%. Most systems we install can be controlled via mobile apps, enabling you to activate the heating before you depart from work, ensuring a warm home upon your arrival without continuous operation throughout the day.

What Changes Occur to the Ductwork and Vents During Installation?

We install new ducting with every system installation. Existing ducting from an old gas heater often does not fit 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 holes from the old 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 Placed?

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

What Is the Typical Duration for Ducted Heating Installation?

Most ducted heating installations are completed in a single day. larger homes or more intricate duct layouts may extend the installation to a second day. We confirm the expected duration during our assessment, ensuring you know what to anticipate before work begins.

On the installation day, our team removes the old heater, installs the new ducting and vents, sets up 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 using gas for hot water or cooking, those connections remain intact. Before we leave, we ensure the new system operates correctly and provide instructions on using the controls.

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

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

Energy.gov.au notes that operating costs for ducted gas heating can be high due to substantial gas consumption and electricity required for the fans. In contrast, ducted reverse cycle systems are deemed more cost-effective than gas heating. ducted systems are generally less efficient than wall-mounted units, mainly 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. A reverse cycle system can utilise your solar power during the day, a benefit not available with gas heating. Our comparison of ducted gas and reverse cycle heating for Melbourne homes provides an in-depth look at running cost figures.

How Is the VEU Rebate Applicable When Transitioning from Gas Ducted Heating?

The Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program 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 does 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 complete forms or wait for a refund. Our article on the VEU rebate clarifies eligibility and coverage details.

What Questions Should You Ask Before Committing to a Ducted Heating Installation Quote?

Ducted heating quotes can be challenging to compare, as one quote may encompass elements that another omits. Use these questions to assess 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 propose reusing the existing ducts?
• Was the system sized based on an in-home assessment or merely a phone consultation?
• Is zoning included, and how many zones does the quote accommodate?
• Who will remove the old gas heater and cap the gas line?
• Will the installation be performed by the installer’s own team or subcontracted out?
• What workmanship guarantee accompanies the installation?

Experience Reliable Ducted Heating Installation in Melbourne’s North with Beyond Heating and Cooling

Beyond Heating and Cooling provides expert installation of ducted heating and cooling systems across Melbourne’s northern and northeastern suburbs. Our team comprises qualified refrigeration mechanics and mechanical plumbers specialising in both refrigerant and gas systems. We hold an ARC refrigerant handling licence (L073783), and all installations are completed by our licensed team, not subcontractors. We back our work with a solid workmanship guarantee.

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 partner with an array of leading heating and cooling brands to recommend the best system tailored to your needs.

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