Ducted Heating Installation: Essential Considerations and Options

Installing ducted heating entails establishing a central unit that efficiently distributes either heated or cooled air throughout your home via ducts positioned in the ceiling or under the floor. Each room receives air through strategically placed vents, and temperature regulation is controlled through a wall-mounted controller, allowing for comprehensive climate management across the entire residence. In Melbourne, numerous homeowners prefer electric reverse cycle ducted heating, a system that adeptly provides warmth in winter and coolness in summer through the same vents. Gas ducted heating remains a viable alternative, and this guide offers a thorough comparison of both heating systems.

This guide delivers an extensive overview of the ducted heating installation process, addressing vital aspects such as system sizing, zoning, ductwork, outdoor unit placement, and what to expect on installation day. We will also analyse the operating costs associated with gas systems, the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) rebate available for transitioning to electric systems, and essential questions to pose to any installer before making a commitment.

Key Insights on Ducted Heating Installation

• According to the Australian Government’s energy.gov.au, reverse cycle air conditioners feature efficiency ratings ranging from 300% to 600%.
• Energy.gov.au further indicates that ducted reverse cycle systems operate more economically than gas heating systems.
• Most installations can typically be completed in a single day; however, larger homes or intricate duct configurations may necessitate an additional day.
• The VEU rebate applies when upgrading from an old gas heater to a qualifying reverse cycle system.

Which Ducted Heating Solutions Are Available for Your Home?

In Melbourne, homeowners have two primary types of ducted heating systems to choose from, along with the 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. This is the most commonly installed system, with more 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. While installations of gas ducted heating still occur, many homeowners in Melbourne are increasingly 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, an add-on cooling system can be integrated, using the same ducts and controller to provide cooling.

If your gas heater is aging, frequently requires repairs, or results in 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 making this transition.

What Is the Functionality of Reverse Cycle Ducted Heating?

Reverse cycle ducted heating functions by transferring heat rather than generating it. As outlined in the Australian Government’s energy.gov.au heating and cooling guide, 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 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 via refrigerant pipes. The indoor unit, situated in the roof space or beneath 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 more detailed explanation of how a refrigerated reverse cycle system operates, please refer to our article that outlines each component.

How Is Ducted Heating Properly Sized for Your Home?

Accurate sizing is essential to ensure that a ducted heating system operates efficiently during the chilly mornings in Melbourne. An undersized system may struggle to warm distant rooms, while an oversized system can lead to unnecessary expenses. 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 systems.

During our home assessment, we examine 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 facilitate our determination of duct runs prior to our visit. For extensive guidance on sizing a ducted heating system tailored to your Melbourne residence, consult our sizing guide.

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

Zoning functionality enables you to control which rooms receive heating. For instance, you may choose 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 lacked zoning, it is prudent to install a zoned system during the new installation, as it simplifies the configuration process.

Thermostat settings play a crucial role as well. 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 allow control via mobile applications, enabling you to activate the 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 does not support 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 Positioned?

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

What Is the Typical Duration for Ducted Heating Installation?

Most ducted heating installations are completed within a single day. Larger homes or complex duct layouts may extend the installation process 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, 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 the Running Costs of Ducted Reverse Cycle Heating Compare to Gas Ducted Heating?

According to Energy.gov.au, the operating costs associated with 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 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 vary based on your home’s size, insulation quality, zoning usage, and whether you have solar panels installed. A reverse cycle system can harness your solar power during daylight hours, a benefit that gas heating cannot offer. Our comparison of ducted gas and reverse cycle heating for Melbourne homes provides an in-depth analysis of running costs.

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

The Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) programme incentivises 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 manage all VEU paperwork during the installation process, and the rebate is deducted from your payment at the point of sale, removing the need for you to complete 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 Committing to a Ducted Heating Installation Quote?

Ducted heating quotes can be intricate to compare, as one quote may encompass components that another excludes. Use these questions to evaluate quotes effectively:

• Is the quoted price all-inclusive, with the VEU rebate already considered?
• Does the quote cover 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 accommodate?
• Who will be responsible for removing the old gas heater and capping the gas line?
• Will the installation be executed by the installer’s own team or subcontracted out?
• What workmanship guarantee accompanies the installation?

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

Beyond Heating and Cooling offers 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), ensuring that all installations are executed by our licensed team, rather than subcontractors. We provide a solid 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 various leading heating and cooling brands to recommend the best system tailored to your needs.

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 pleased to assist you in exploring your home’s options. You can also view our complete range of ducted heating and cooling installations.