Ducted Heating Installation: Best Choices to Explore

Installing ducted heating requires the establishment of a central unit that distributes either heated or cooled air throughout your home via ducts situated in the ceiling or beneath the floor. Each room receives air through carefully placed vents, while a wall-mounted controller allows you to manage the temperature, ensuring thorough climate control across your entire residence. In Melbourne, many homeowners opt for electric reverse cycle ducted heating, a system that efficiently delivers warmth in winter and coolness in summer through the same vents. Alternatively, gas ducted heating remains a viable choice, and this guide offers a detailed comparison of both systems.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the installation process for ducted heating, addressing vital aspects such as system sizing, zoning, ductwork, the outdoor unit, and what to expect on installation day. We will also investigate the operational costs associated with gas systems, the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) rebate for transitioning to electric systems, and crucial questions to ask any installer before you commit.

Essential Insights on Ducted Heating Installation

• According to the Australian Government’s energy.gov.au, reverse cycle air conditioners achieve efficiency ratings ranging from 300% to 600%.
• Energy.gov.au also highlights that ducted reverse cycle systems are more economical compared to gas heating systems.
• Most installations can usually be completed in a single day, although larger homes or complex duct configurations might require an additional day.
• The VEU rebate is available when replacing an old gas heater with a qualifying reverse cycle system.

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

Homeowners in Melbourne have access to two primary types of ducted heating systems, with the option to add cooling to an existing gas system.

• <a href="https://writebuff.com/air-conditioner-summer-ready-6-signs-you-must-check/">Electric Reverse Cycle Ducted Heating and Cooling.</a> This system features both an outdoor and an indoor unit, working in tandem to heat or cool your entire home via a single set of vents. This is the most commonly installed system, with additional information available on our ducted reverse cycle air conditioning page.
• Gas Ducted Heating. A gas furnace produces warm air, circulated through the ducts by a fan. Although gas ducted heating installations are still performed, many homeowners in Melbourne are choosing 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 recent, an add-on cooling system can be integrated, using the same ducts and controller for cooling purposes.

If your gas heater is outdated, frequently requiring repairs or leading to high operational costs, consider upgrading to an electric reverse cycle ducted system. This solution offers both heating and cooling within a single installation. Our comprehensive guide on replacing gas ducted heating with electric heating provides further insights into this transition.

How Does Reverse Cycle Ducted Heating Function?

Reverse cycle ducted heating works 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 ambient air and transports it indoors through refrigerant pipes. The indoor unit, located in the roof space or beneath the floor, distributes this warm air through the ducts to each vent. The process is reversed in summer, allowing the system to cool your home effectively. For an in-depth explanation of how a refrigerated reverse cycle system operates, please consult our article detailing 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 Melbourne’s chilly mornings. An undersized system struggles to warm distant rooms, while an oversized system incurs unnecessary costs. Energy.gov.au advises selecting a model with the suitable 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 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 detailed guidance on sizing a ducted heating system tailored to your Melbourne home, refer to our sizing guide.

Is Zoning an Essential 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, it is advisable to install a zoned system during the new installation, as it simplifies the configuration process.

Thermostat settings are also crucial. Energy.gov.au indicates that increasing heating by each degree in winter can elevate 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 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 typically cannot accommodate a reverse cycle system and is often 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 Is the Optimal Location for the Outdoor Unit?

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

What Is the Expected 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 anticipated 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, negating the need for a separate tradesperson. If you continue to use gas for hot water or cooking, those connections remain intact. Before we conclude our visit, we ensure that the new system operates correctly and provide instructions on how to use the controls.

For comprehensive information on what to expect on installation day, refer to our article detailing the heating and cooling installation process.

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

According to Energy.gov.au, the operational 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 regarded as more economical than gas heating. Ducted systems are typically 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 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 provides an extensive analysis of running cost figures.

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

The Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) programme incentivises households that switch from gas heating to an efficient electric system. The rebate is applicable 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 be applicable.

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

Evaluating ducted heating quotes can be intricate, 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 incorporated?
• Does the quote include 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 provided with the installation?

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

Beyond Heating and Cooling offers 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 hold 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 assess 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 solution 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.