Ducted Heating Installation: Best Options to Explore

Installing ducted heating entails establishing a central unit that circulates either warm or cool air throughout your home via ducts located within the ceiling or beneath the floor. Each room is supplied with air through carefully placed vents, while a wall-mounted controller oversees the temperature, enabling complete climate management for your entire residence. In Melbourne, many homeowners opt for electric reverse cycle ducted heating, a system that effectively provides warmth in winter and coolness in summer through the same vents. Alternatively, gas ducted heating is still a viable choice, and this guide offers a comprehensive comparison of both systems.

This guide provides an in-depth overview of the ducted heating installation process, addressing critical aspects such as sizing, zoning, ductwork, the outdoor unit, and what to expect on installation day. we will analyse the operating costs associated with gas systems, the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) rebate available for transitioning to electric systems, and key questions to pose to any installer before finalising your decision.

Essential Insights on Ducted Heating Installation

• According to the Australian Government’s energy.gov.au, reverse cycle air conditioners boast efficiency ratings ranging from 300% to 600%.
• Energy.gov.au also highlights that ducted reverse cycle systems operate more economically compared to gas heating systems.
• Most installations can often be finished within a single day, although larger homes or intricate duct configurations may necessitate a second day.
• The VEU rebate is available when replacing an outdated gas heater with a qualifying reverse cycle system.

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

In Melbourne, homeowners can choose from 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, functioning together to heat or cool your entire home through a unified set of vents. This is the most commonly installed system, with further details available on our ducted reverse cycle air conditioning page.
• <a href="https://limitsofstrategy.com/ducted-heating-system-sizing-for-homes-in-melbourne/">Gas Ducted Heating.</a> A gas furnace produces warm air, which is circulated through the ducts by a fan. While gas ducted heating installations continue, many Melbourne homeowners now prefer to transition away from gas rather than install new gas heaters.
• Add-on Cooling for Existing Gas Heaters. If your gas ducted heater is relatively modern, it may be possible to integrate an add-on cooling system, utilising the same ducts and controller for cooling.

If your gas heater is aging, frequently requiring repairs or resulting in high operating costs, consider upgrading to an electric reverse cycle ducted system. This solution provides both heating and cooling within a single installation. Our detailed guide on replacing gas ducted heating with electric heating offers additional insights on this transition.

How Does Reverse Cycle Ducted Heating Operate?

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 comparison, 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 inside through refrigerant pipes. The indoor unit, located in the roof space or beneath the floor, distributes this warm air via the ducts to each vent. The process reverses in summer, allowing the system to cool your home efficiently. For a detailed explanation of how a refrigerated reverse cycle system operates, please consult our article outlining each component.

How Is Ducted Heating Accurately Sized for Your Home?

Correct sizing is essential to ensure that a ducted heating system functions efficiently during Melbourne’s chilly mornings. An undersized system may struggle to warm distant rooms, while an oversized system incurs unnecessary expenses. Energy.gov.au advises 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, 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 enhance our ability to determine duct runs prior to our visit. For thorough guidance on sizing a ducted heating system tailored to your Melbourne home, please refer to our sizing guide.

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

Zoning functionality allows you to manage 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 simultaneously. If your previous gas ducted heater did not include 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 indicates that increasing heating by each degree in winter can raise your energy consumption by 5% to 10%. Most systems we install can be controlled via mobile applications, allowing you to activate the heating before returning home from work, ensuring a warm environment upon your arrival without needing to operate continuously 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 often filled with dust from years of use. The new ducting is correctly 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 gain access to 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, linked by pipes that transport refrigerant. The outdoor unit is positioned outside the house. We discuss its location with you during the in-home assessment, and if your property poses challenges, we identify the most suitable site before the installation day.

What Is the Average Timeframe for Ducted Heating Installation?

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 expected duration during our assessment, ensuring you understand what to anticipate before the 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, eliminating the need for a separate tradesperson. If you continue to use gas for hot water or cooking, those connections remain intact. Before concluding 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 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 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 operate less efficiently than wall-mounted units, primarily due to larger fans and energy loss through ductwork, making precise 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 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 a thorough analysis of running cost figures.

How Does the VEU Rebate Facilitate the Transition from Gas Ducted Heating?

The Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) programme encourages households that 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. 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 details of the coverage.

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

Evaluating ducted heating quotes can be intricate, as one quote may encompass elements that another does not. Use these questions to assess quotes effectively:

• Is the quoted price all-inclusive, with the VEU rebate already accounted for?
• 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 encompass?
• Who will take responsibility 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 guarantee of workmanship is provided with the installation?

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

Beyond Heating and Cooling delivers expert installation of ducted heating and cooling systems throughout 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 possess an ARC refrigerant handling licence (L073783), and all installations are conducted by our licensed team, not subcontractors. We provide a robust workmanship guarantee for our services.

Every quote begins with a complimentary in-home assessment. We evaluate your existing 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 a diverse range of leading heating and cooling brands to recommend the best system tailored to your requirements.

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