Ducted Heating Installation: Best Choices for Your Home

Installing ducted heating entails setting up a central unit that distributes either warm or cool air throughout your home via ducts located in the ceiling or beneath the floor. Each room receives air through strategically placed vents, while a wall-mounted controller manages the temperature, ensuring effective climate control for your entire house. In Melbourne, many homeowners favour electric reverse cycle ducted heating, a system that efficiently provides warmth in winter and coolness in summer using the same vents. Alternatively, gas ducted heating is still available, and this guide offers a comprehensive comparison of both systems.

This guide thoroughly details the installation process for ducted heating, highlighting key components such as sizing, zoning, ductwork, the outdoor unit, and what to expect on installation day. We will also explore the operating costs associated with gas systems, the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) rebate available for switching to electric systems, and essential questions to pose to any installer before making your decision.

Essential Insights on Ducted Heating Installation

• According to the Australian Government’s energy.gov.au, reverse cycle air conditioners boast efficiency ratings from 300% to 600%.
• Energy.gov.au also indicates that ducted reverse cycle systems operate more economically than gas heating systems.
• Most installations can usually be completed in just one day, although larger homes or complex duct configurations may necessitate a second day.
• The VEU rebate is applicable when replacing an old gas heater with a qualifying reverse cycle system.

Which Ducted Heating Systems Are Available for Your Home?

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

• Electric Reverse Cycle Ducted Heating and Cooling. This system includes both an outdoor and an indoor unit, collaborating to heat or cool your entire home through a unified set of vents. This is the most commonly installed system, with further information available 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. Although gas ducted heating installations are still ongoing, many Melbourne homeowners are now opting to move away from gas rather than installing new gas heaters.
• Add-on Cooling for Existing Gas Heaters. If your gas ducted heater is relatively modern, an add-on cooling system can be incorporated, utilising the same ducts and controller to provide cooling.

If your gas heater is ageing and requiring frequent repairs or resulting in high operating costs, consider upgrading to an electric reverse cycle ducted system. This option provides both heating and cooling in one installation. Our detailed guide on replacing gas ducted heating with electric heating offers more insights on making this transition.

What Is the Mechanism Behind Reverse Cycle Ducted Heating?

Reverse cycle ducted heating functions 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 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 via refrigerant pipes. The indoor unit, located in the roof space or under the floor, distributes this warm air through the ducts to each vent. This process reverses in summer, allowing the system to cool your home effectively. For a detailed explanation of how a refrigerated reverse cycle system operates, please refer to our article outlining each component.

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

Proper sizing is essential to ensure that a ducted heating system operates efficiently during Melbourne’s chilly mornings. An undersized system struggles to warm distant rooms, while an oversized system incurs unnecessary costs. Energy.gov.au suggests 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 evaluate the number of rooms and vents, duct routing (whether through the ceiling or beneath 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 before our visit. For comprehensive guidance on sizing a ducted heating system tailored to your Melbourne home, refer to our sizing guide.

Why Is Zoning a Crucial Feature for Your New Ducted Heating System?

Zoning functionality allows you to control which rooms receive heating. For instance, you may wish to keep bedrooms unheated during the day and living areas unheated at night, avoiding heating the entire house simultaneously. If your previous gas ducted heater lacked zoning, it is advisable to install a zoned system during the new installation, as it simplifies the configuration process.

Thermostat settings are also important. Energy.gov.au states that raising heating by each degree in winter can increase your energy consumption by 5% to 10%. The majority of systems we install are controllable via mobile applications, enabling you to activate the heating before returning home from work, ensuring a warm environment upon your arrival without the necessity 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 typically does not accommodate a reverse cycle system and is usually filled with dust from years of use. The new ducting is properly sized for both heating and cooling, connecting to the same outlet points in your ceiling or floor, resulting in new vents and grilles instead of 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, necessitating careful handling due to limited access.

Where 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 transport refrigerant. The outdoor unit is positioned outside the house. We will discuss its location with you during the in-home assessment, and if your property presents challenges, we will identify the most suitable site before the installation day.

How Long Does Ducted Heating Installation Typically Take?

Most ducted heating installations are completed within a single day. Larger homes or more intricate duct layouts may extend the installation to a second day. We confirm the anticipated duration during our assessment, ensuring you are informed about what to expect before 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 utilise gas for hot water or cooking, those connections will remain intact. Before we conclude our visit, we ensure that the new system operates correctly and provide guidance on using 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 Operating Costs for Ducted Reverse Cycle Heating Compare to Gas Ducted Heating?

According to Energy.gov.au, the operating costs for ducted gas heating can be considerable due to high gas consumption and the electricity required for the fans. In contrast, ducted reverse cycle systems are generally perceived as more economical than gas heating. Ducted systems typically have lower efficiency than wall-mounted units, primarily because of larger fans and energy loss through ductwork, making proper sizing and duct design critical.

Your running costs will depend 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 offers an extensive analysis of running cost figures.

How Does the VEU Rebate Facilitate the Switch 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. Typically, if a home has never had gas heating, the rebate will not be applicable.

We handle all VEU paperwork during the installation process, and the rebate is deducted from your payment at the point of sale, so you do not need 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 Consider Before Accepting a Ducted Heating Installation Quote?

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

• Is the quoted price comprehensive, with the VEU rebate already included?
• Does the quote encompass 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 be responsible for removing the old gas heater and capping the gas line?
• Will the installation be carried out by the installer’s own team or subcontracted out?
• What workmanship guarantee is offered with the installation?

Choose Beyond Heating and Cooling for Expert Ducted Heating Installation in Melbourne’s Northern Suburbs

Beyond Heating and Cooling provides 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 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 incorporates the VEU rebate where applicable. We collaborate with a wide range of leading heating and cooling brands to recommend the best system tailored to your requirements.

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