Ditching Gas Heating: A Melbourne Homeowner’s Gas-to-Electric Roadmap

Switching from gas ducted heating to electric means replacing your old gas heater with one reverse-cycle refrigerated ducted system that both heats and cools your whole home. The journey runs from a free in-home assessment to install day, and the VEU rebate comes off your all-inclusive price before you pay.

Related: replacing gas ducted heating with electric.

Key takeaways

• Victoria banned gas connections for new homes from 1 January 2024, pushing more homeowners toward all-electric.
• One reverse-cycle ducted system replaces your gas heater and handles both heating and cooling year-round.
• The VEU rebate applies only when you remove an existing gas ducted heater, and it’s deducted upfront from your price.
• Beyond’s all-inclusive systems start from around $6,300 and run up to about $10,380 for a larger premium unit, with GST, the VEU rebate and ductwork already included.
• Book before autumn if you want it running before peak winter.

Why are Melbourne homeowners ditching gas?

Melbourne homeowners are switching because gas keeps getting dearer, new homes can’t connect to gas, and one electric system now does the job of two. Victorian residential gas prices have climbed sharply in recent years, and from 1 January 2024 new Victorian homes seeking a planning permit can’t connect to gas at all.

That gas connection ban changed the conversation across the north and outer north. We’ve found more homeowners now ask the obvious question: if new builds go all-electric, why keep paying two daily supply charges on an ageing gas system?

A reverse-cycle ducted system runs on electricity alone. It heats in winter and cools in summer through the same ductwork, so you drop the gas supply charge entirely and replace a one-season heater with a year-round system.

Related: how the VEU rebate works.

What does the gas-to-electric switch actually involve?

The switch replaces your gas ducted heater with one reverse-cycle refrigerated ducted system that heats and cools, using your existing duct runs where they’re sound. The Victorian Energy Upgrades program rewards exactly this kind of swap, and the rebate comes off your price before you pay.

Here’s the honest scope upfront. Beyond does new installs, replacements and upgrades only. We don’t do service, repairs, cleaning or maintenance, so if your system just needs a tune-up, we’re not your crew.

Step 1: Free in-home assessment

We come to your home, measure the space and check your existing ductwork. This matters because a quote from a floor plan misses the real condition of your ducts, ceiling space and electrical setup. You get an accurate, all-inclusive figure, not a guess.

Step 2: Remove the old gas ducted heater

We remove and decommission your existing gas ducted heater. As licensed mechanical plumbers, we’re gas and refrigerant qualified, so the gas disconnection is done properly and safely. This removal step is also what unlocks the VEU rebate.

Step 3: Install the reverse-cycle ducted system

We install one efficient reverse-cycle refrigerated ducted system. It runs through your ductwork to heat in winter and cool in summer, controlled from a single zoned thermostat. One system, both jobs, no gas.

Step 4: Rebate already deducted

Your price is all-inclusive. GST, ductwork, grilles and the VEU rebate are already built in, so the number we quote is the number you pay. No surprise add-ons after install day.

How much does it cost to switch in Melbourne?

Beyond’s all-inclusive systems start from around $6,300 and run up to about $10,380 for a larger premium unit, after the VEU rebate is deducted. That single figure covers GST, the unit, ductwork and grilles, because we price the whole job rather than line items you assemble yourself.

Why the range? Home size, duct condition, the number of zones and your switchboard all move the number. A tight double-storey in the Yarra Valley with long duct runs sits differently to a single-level place in the outer north.

We confirm your exact figure and rebate after the free in-home assessment, because it depends on your specific upgrade and current VEU settings. For the official rebate detail, check energy.vic.gov.au. In our experience, the all-inclusive model saves homeowners the headache of comparing quotes where one includes ductwork and another quietly doesn’t.

What if my gas heater still works versus has failed?

Your next move depends on whether your gas heater is still running or already dead. Both paths lead to the same reverse-cycle system, but the timing and urgency differ. Around half the switch enquiries we see come from working systems where the owner is planning ahead, not reacting to a breakdown.

If your gas ducted heater still works

Plan the switch on your timeline. You’re not under pressure, so book the free assessment now and schedule the install for a quieter period before winter. The advantage here is choice: you pick the date, you avoid the autumn rush, and you stop paying gas supply charges sooner rather than later.

A working heater also gives you breathing room to sort your electrical setup if your switchboard needs attention. No cold nights while you organise it.

If your gas ducted heater has failed

Move quickly, especially heading into a Melbourne winter. A failed gas heater is the natural trigger to switch rather than repair, and remember, we don’t repair anyway. Replacing it with one reverse-cycle system gets you heating and cooling in a single job instead of patching old gas gear.

The rebate still applies because you’re removing an existing gas ducted heater. So a failure isn’t just a cost, it’s the exact scenario the VEU upgrade is built for.

When should I book to beat peak winter?

Book by early autumn if you want your new system running before Melbourne’s coldest months. Demand for heating installs climbs sharply from May onward as temperatures drop, so the comfortable lead time disappears fast once winter bites.

We’ve seen the autumn squeeze firsthand. Homeowners who book in March and April get the date they want. Those who wait until the first frost often join a queue. If your gas heater already failed, don’t wait for the calendar, get the assessment booked now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the VEU rebate apply to every gas-to-electric switch?

No. The VEU rebate applies only when you remove an existing gas ducted heater and replace it with an efficient electric system. If there’s no existing gas ducted heater to decommission, the rebate doesn’t apply. We confirm your eligibility during the free in-home assessment, and you can read the official program rules at energy.vic.gov.au.

Will one reverse-cycle system really heat and cool the whole house?

Yes. A reverse-cycle refrigerated ducted system heats in winter and cools in summer through the same ductwork, controlled from one zoned thermostat. That’s the core advantage over gas ducted heating, which only heats. You replace a one-season appliance with a year-round system, and you run a single set of ducts instead of separate heating and cooling gear.

Can I keep my existing ductwork?

No – gas heating is incredible dusty and you do not want their air circulating around your home. Your new system also requires a different size and type of ducting.

Does Beyond service or repair my system after installation?

No. Beyond does new installs, replacements and upgrades only. We don’t offer service, repair, cleaning or maintenance. We’re licensed mechanical plumbers, gas and refrigerant qualified, focused on getting your gas-to-electric switch done properly. For ongoing servicing down the track, you’ll arrange that separately with a service-focused provider.

How long does install day take?

Most standard Melbourne home installs are completed in a day. We remove and decommission the old gas ducted heater, install the reverse-cycle ducted system, connect it through your ductwork and test it before we leave. Larger or double-storey homes, or jobs needing significant duct or electrical work, may run longer. We give you a realistic timeframe at the free assessment, not a vague promise.

What’s the exact rebate amount I’ll receive?

We don’t quote an exact rebate dollar figure here, because it depends on your specific upgrade and the current VEU settings. What we can tell you: the rebate is already deducted from your all-inclusive price, so the number we quote is the number you pay. For official rebate detail and current values, check energy.vic.gov.au.

Ready to ditch gas?

Switching from gas ducted heating to one electric reverse-cycle system gives you year-round comfort, no gas supply charge, and a VEU rebate deducted straight off your price. The journey is simple: free in-home assessment, remove the old gas heater, install the new system, pay one all-inclusive figure. Whether your gas heater still works or has already failed, the path leads to the same year-round reverse-cycle system.

Book your free in-home assessment now, especially with peak winter approaching across Melbourne’s north and outer north. Read the full gas ducted to electric replacement detail or how the VEU rebate mechanics work.