Ducted Heating Installation: Explore Essential Options

Installing ducted heating entails setting up a central unit that distributes either warm or cool air throughout your residence via ducts positioned in the ceiling or beneath the floor. Each room receives air through carefully placed vents, with temperature regulation managed through a wall-mounted controller. This allows for comprehensive climate control for your entire home. In Melbourne, electric reverse cycle ducted heating is particularly favoured among homeowners. This system effectively provides warmth during winter and cooling in summer through the same vents. Gas ducted heating remains a viable option, and this guide provides a thorough comparison of both systems.

This guide meticulously details the installation process for ducted heating, addressing essential components such as system sizing, zoning, ductwork, the outdoor unit, and what to expect on installation day. We will explore the operating costs associated with gas systems, the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) rebate relevant to transitioning to electric systems, and crucial questions to pose to any installer before making a decision.

Key Insights on Ducted Heating Installation

• The Australian Government’s energy.gov.au indicates that reverse cycle air conditioners offer efficiency ratings from 300% to 600%.
• Energy.gov.au also suggests that ducted reverse cycle systems operate more economically than traditional gas heating systems.
• Most installations can generally be completed within a single day; however, larger properties or complex duct configurations may require an additional day.
• The VEU rebate is applicable when replacing an old gas heater with a qualifying reverse cycle system.

Which Ducted Heating Systems Are Best Suited for Your Home?

In Melbourne, homeowners have the option to select from two primary types of ducted heating systems, with an additional choice to incorporate cooling into 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 home through a unified set of vents. This is the most commonly installed system, and further details are available on our ducted reverse cycle air conditioning page.
• Gas Ducted Heating. A gas furnace produces warm air, which is circulated through the ducts via a fan. Although gas ducted heating installations are still carried out, many homeowners in Melbourne are opting to transition away from gas rather than install 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, utilising the same ducts and controller for cooling purposes.

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

How Does Reverse Cycle Ducted Heating Operate?

Reverse cycle ducted heating functions by transferring heat rather than producing it. According to 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 stands in contrast to an electric bar heater, which 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. The process reverses in summer, 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 Do You Ensure Your Ducted Heating System Is Properly Sized?

Accurate sizing is essential to ensure that a ducted heating system operates efficiently during the chilly Melbourne mornings. An undersized system struggles to warm distant rooms, while an oversized system incurs unnecessary costs. Energy.gov.au recommends selecting a model with the right capacity for your home and consulting experts before making significant purchases such as ducted heating and cooling.

During our home assessment, we evaluate the number of rooms and vents, the 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 prior to our visit. For comprehensive guidance on sizing a ducted heating system tailored to your Melbourne home, refer to our sizing guide.

Is Zoning an Important Feature for Your New Ducted Heating System?

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

Thermostat settings also significantly influence energy consumption. Energy.gov.au states that increasing heating by each degree in winter can raise your energy consumption by 5% to 10%. Many systems we install are controllable via mobile applications, allowing 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?

Every system installation includes the installation of new ducting. Existing ducting from an old gas heater often fails to accommodate 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, necessitating careful handling due to limited access.

Where Should the Outdoor Unit Be Installed?

A reverse cycle ducted system comprises both an outdoor and an indoor unit, connected 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 presents challenges, we identify the most suitable location before the installation day.

What Is the Expected Duration 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 anticipated duration during our assessment, ensuring you are well-informed about what to expect before work begins.

On the day of installation, 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, negating 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 extensive information on what to expect on installation day, please refer to our article detailing 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 for ducted gas heating can be substantial due to high gas consumption and the electricity required for the fans. Conversely, 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 crucial.

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 utilise your solar power during daylight hours, a benefit that is 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 Operate When Transitioning from Gas Ducted Heating?

The Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) programme 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 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 Critical Factors Should You Consider Before Accepting a Ducted Heating Installation Quote?

Ducted heating quotes can be challenging to compare, as one quote may include elements that another omits. Use these questions to effectively assess quotes:

• Is the quoted price all-inclusive, with the VEU rebate already taken into account?
• Does the quote encompass 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 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 accompanies the installation?

Choose Beyond Heating and Cooling for Expert 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 possess an ARC refrigerant handling licence (L073783), and all installations are carried out by our licensed team, not subcontractors. We provide a strong 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 includes 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 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 options for your home. You can also view our complete range of ducted heating and cooling installations.