Ducted Heating Melbourne
Ducted heating is one of the most common ways Melbourne homes stay warm through winter. Many of those systems are older gas ducted heaters that are now due for replacement. EZYAIR designs, supplies and installs fully electric ducted reverse cycle systems that heat your whole home through ducts and outlets, and cool it in summer as well. If your gas ducted heater is ageing, unreliable or expensive to run, we can help you replace it with a high efficiency electric system.
Founded in 2007 and based in Burwood, EZYAIR specialises in fully electric heating and cooling and is a Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) Authorised Provider (A2261). Request a ducted heating quote or call 1300 EZYAIR (1300 399 247).
What is ducted heating?
A ducted heating system warms your home from one central unit. Air is drawn back through a return air grille, heated, and then pushed through insulated ductwork to outlets in the ceiling or floor of each room. One controller manages the whole home, so there is no need for a separate heater in every room.
There are two main types of ducted heating in Melbourne homes:
- Gas ducted heating burns natural gas to heat the air. It provides heating only, and cooling requires a separate or add-on system.
- Ducted reverse cycle is a fully electric, refrigerated system. An outdoor unit and an indoor fan coil (in the roof space or under the floor) move heat into your home in winter and out of your home in summer, so one system handles both heating and cooling.
Gas ducted heating vs electric ducted reverse cycle
Both systems deliver warm air through ducts, but they work very differently. Gas ducted heaters create heat through combustion. A ducted reverse cycle system uses the vapour compression refrigeration cycle: electricity runs the compressor, fans and sensors, while the refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside air and releases it inside. That is why reverse cycle heating is generally more energy efficient than burning gas for heat, and it can also be run on renewable energy such as solar and batteries.
Key differences to consider:
- Heating and cooling: ducted reverse cycle heats and cools from one system. Gas ducted heating only heats.
- Fuel: reverse cycle runs on electricity, so there is no gas combustion or flue inside the system. Removing your last gas appliance can also mean closing your gas account.
- Comfort: all ducted systems EZYAIR installs use inverter technology and variable speed compressors, which reduce temperature swings and run quietly.
- Air quality: filtered return air, with the option of adding whole home air purification to the ductwork.
For more detail on how the systems work, see our ducted reverse cycle air conditioning page.
Replacing old gas ducted heating in Melbourne
If your gas ducted heater has broken down, is due for replacement or is costing too much to run, switching to ducted reverse cycle is a practical upgrade. Our team handles the whole changeover, from assessment and removal of the old gas heater through to installing and commissioning the new electric system.
Can your existing ducts be reused?
Not always. Ductwork installed with gas ducted heaters is commonly rated R1.0, while reverse cycle ducted systems generally require a minimum insulation rating of R1.5 because the ducts carry cooled air as well as heated air. There are exceptions for some properties. We assess your existing ductwork against the relevant building and plumbing regulations and tell you whether it can be reused or should be replaced. Read more in Can you reuse gas ductwork when upgrading to reverse cycle?
What happens to the old outlets?
Reverse cycle systems often use different outlet sizes and positions to gas heaters, so some old ceiling or floor outlets may no longer be needed. Sealing them properly helps your new system run efficiently. See our guide to sealing old ducts and outlets for the options.
Sizing and zoning your ducted heating
Correct sizing is essential for comfort and running costs. A system that is too small will struggle on cold mornings, and one that is too large costs more than it needs to. We size each system using your home's heat load, taking into account room sizes, insulation, windows, ceiling heights and which rooms you want to heat at the same time. You can get a first indication with our heatload calculator.
Zoning divides your home into areas that can be switched on or off, so you only heat the rooms you are using. Independent temperature control can go a step further by letting you set different temperatures in different rooms. Both options help the system deliver only the energy each space needs.
Ducted systems we install
EZYAIR supplies and installs a wide range of inverter ducted reverse cycle systems from leading brands, including Fujitsu, Mitsubishi Electric and Daikin. We recommend a make and model based on your home, your heating and cooling needs and your budget, rather than a one size fits all package.
VEU program: replacing gas ducted heating
EZYAIR is a VEU Authorised Provider (A2261) under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program. Replacing a gas ducted heater with an eligible high efficiency ducted reverse cycle system may qualify for a VEU discount. Eligibility depends on your property, the system being removed and the system being installed. We confirm eligibility and the discount on your quote, and we complete the required pre-installation checks and post-installation paperwork for you. Learn more on our Victorian Energy Upgrades page.
Our ducted heating installation process
- Enquiry: contact us with a few details about your home and your current heating.
- Assessment and quote: we assess your home, existing heater and ductwork, calculate the heat load and recommend a system, zoning and outlet layout. Your quote confirms any VEU eligibility and discount.
- Installation: our in-house team removes the old gas heater (where applicable), installs the indoor and outdoor units, ductwork, outlets and controls, and connects a dedicated electrical circuit.
- Commissioning and handover: we test the system in heating and cooling modes and show you how to use the controller and zones.
- Ongoing care: regular ducted system maintenance keeps your system running efficiently.
Our team includes licensed electricians, plumbers and refrigeration mechanics. Electrical Contractor 20559, Plumbing Licence 49852, Refrigerant Trading Authorisation AU25526.
Ducted heating across Melbourne
From our base in Burwood, EZYAIR installs ducted heating and cooling across most of metropolitan Melbourne. Check our service area map or contact us to confirm we cover your suburb.
Ducted heating FAQs
Do you install new gas ducted heaters?
No. EZYAIR specialises in fully electric heating and cooling, so we install ducted reverse cycle systems rather than new gas ducted heaters. If you currently have gas ducted heating, we can replace it with an electric ducted reverse cycle system.
Can I keep my existing gas heating ducts?
It depends on the condition and insulation rating of your ductwork. Most gas heating ducts are rated R1.0, and reverse cycle systems generally need R1.5, although some properties qualify for an exception. We check this during your assessment.
Will ducted reverse cycle keep my home warm in a Melbourne winter?
Yes, when the system is correctly sized for your home's heat load. That is why we calculate the heat load for every home before recommending a system.
Is my upgrade eligible for the VEU program?
Many Victorian homes replacing gas ducted heating with an eligible reverse cycle system can qualify. Eligibility depends on your property and the systems involved. We confirm eligibility and the discount on your quote.
Can I heat only some rooms?
Yes. Zoning lets you switch areas of the home on or off, and independent temperature control lets you set different temperatures in different rooms.
Do you service ducted reverse cycle systems?
Yes. We maintain ducted reverse cycle (refrigerated) systems, including checks of the indoor and outdoor units, filters, ductwork connections and system performance. See our ducted maintenance page for details.
Request a ducted heating quote
Ready to replace your old gas ducted heater or install new ducted heating? Contact EZYAIR today or call 1300 EZYAIR (1300 399 247) to arrange a quote.