Tips on Choosing Ducted Heating Systems

As the Melbourne winter sets in, plenty of homeowners start looking at ducted heating for their place. Reverse cycle air conditioning is cheaper to install, but a ducted heating system is what lets you warm the whole house from the one unit. Add zoning and you can heat only the rooms you are actually using, which keeps running costs down. With so many systems on the market, how do you pick the right one? Here is what matters.

What to look for in a ducted heating system

Energy efficiency

Efficiency is usually the first thing that steers people towards one system over another. Before you compare models, decide whether you want to heat individual rooms, the whole house, or both through zoning. Then look for a system with a four star energy rating or higher, since that has the biggest effect on what it costs to run over winter. If you think you might want cooling down the track, ask us about add on cooling as well, and we can walk you through the heating and cooling options that suit a Melbourne home.

Running costs and zoning

Gas ducted heating warms a room quickly, and a zoned system is where the savings come in. Instead of heating the whole house, you heat only the zones you are using. When it is time to settle in for a movie or head to bed, warming just that part of the house is quick and easy on the bill.

Installation flexibility

Ducted heating is flexible about where the main unit goes. Unlike some systems that only fit in one spot, the heater can sit outside, in the roof space, under the floor or almost anywhere that suits your home’s layout.

Getting the size and design right

Sizing matters more than most people realise. Too small and the system will struggle to keep up; too big and you pay more upfront and in running costs than you need to. The ducts should be sized for the house, with adjustable outlets so each zone can be controlled and unused rooms shut off. Newer homes built to current Building Code standards need less heating output, so they often suit a smaller unit. If the ducts will also carry cooling later on, they need to be sized more generously from the start. This is work for a licensed installer, not a guess.

A streamlined look

A ducted system stays out of sight. Reverse cycle heads sit on the wall and can interrupt the look of a room, whereas ducted vents sit flush in the ceiling and mostly go unnoticed.

It adds value at sale time

Ducted heating is also a selling point. If you might list the house in the next few years, a quality system can add to its appeal, which is worth weighing up when you choose.

Getting the most from your ducted heating

A few simple habits make a real difference to comfort and cost:

• Insulate the roof, walls and floor, and seal up draughts so the heat you pay for stays inside.
• Let the winter sun in through your windows during the day for a bit of free warmth.
• Draw the curtains as the day cools and at night to hold that heat in.
• Zone your home and heat only the rooms you use, and keep doors closed to unused rooms.

Talk to a Melbourne ducted heating specialist

Choosing and sizing a ducted heating system is far easier with someone who installs them every day. The team at Beyond Heating and Cooling can help you land on the right system for your home and your budget. Call us on 1800 239 663 or contact the team for a free quote on your gas ducted heating installation.