Installing A Gas Ducted Central Heating

Understanding Ducted Central Heating Systems

Ducted Central Heating systems from Beyond Heating & Cooling offer efficient and cost-effective whole-house heating. Using a central unit and ducts, they distribute warm air evenly, providing consistent heat. Energy-efficient with zoning options, these systems enhance comfort and reduce energy costs year-round.

In Melbourne, you may be familiar with gas ducted heating systems, especially given the city’s chilly winters and the prevalent access to natural gas. Such systems are highly efficient for warming your home. They consist of a central heating unit, typically fuelled by natural gas, connected to a network of ducts leading to strategically positioned vents or outlets. These might be located on your floors, walls, or ceilings.

Your system will also feature a return air grille, essential for recycling air back to the heating unit. Where these components are situated within your home depends on factors like your house’s foundation type and the practicality of duct installation.

Despite their effectiveness, Gas heating is being phased out and Victorians are opting for electric ducted heating solutions, notably reverse cycle refrigerated systems.
They are an ideal alternative as it provides both heating and cooling options, making them a versatile choice for year-round comfort.

Operation of Gas Ducted Heating Systems

Gas ducted heating is a widely used method in Australian homes for staying warm during colder months. Here’s how it functions:

• Air drawing: A fan pulls air into the central unit.
• Heating process: This air passes over a heat exchanger fuelled by natural gas, warming the air.
• Distribution: Warm air travels through insulated ducts to maintain heat and is pushed into your home via vents.
• Recirculation: The air circulates back to the heater through a return air grille for reheating.
• Temperature regulation: A thermostat monitors room temperature, custodians of your home’s warmth, adjusting the system to maintain desired comfort levels.
• Energy efficiency: Newer models modulate gas usage, enhancing energy conservation by supplying minimal energy for heating.
• Auto shutoff: Once your abode attains a comfortable temperature, the system turns off, maximising energy efficiency.

While gas ducted systems are still in use, new homes are now installing electric ducted heating solutions such as reverse cycle refrigerated systems, which offer both heating and cooling capabilities. This shift stems from the growing desire for energy-efficient and versatile home climate control solutions.

Selecting the Appropriate Gas Ducted Heater Size

In selecting a heating system for your home, sizing is crucial. An undersized unit might leave spaces chilly, while an oversized one could lead to inflated energy costs and excessive wear. Here’s a guideline to aid your selection:

• Area in Square Metres (m²) x 130 watts: Provides an estimated heating requirement
• Example Calculation: 100m² home * 130 watts = 13,000-watt heater needed

Choose wisely to ensure comfort and efficiency.

Understanding The Diverse Heating Options

With a range of electric heaters, choosing the appropriate unit for your space is vital to optimise energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Optimal sizing equates to power savings.

For those upgrading their home heating, reverse cycle refrigerated ducted systems are gaining popularity over traditional gas ducted solutions, offering efficient and eco-friendly heating.

Estimating Heating Requirements for Your Home

When selecting a heating system for your residence, finding the correct kilowatt rating is crucial for efficient warmth. By calculating the area of each room needing heat—excluding spaces like the laundry, bathroom, and garage—you can understand your home’s heating requirements. Simply measure the length and width of these rooms, multiply these figures to determine the square metres, and total these numbers for a complete size.

Here’s how you can break it down:

• Measure each room: Length x Width (in metres)
• Sum up the areas: Total area = Sum of individual room areas
• Traditionally, 1 square metre typically equals 1 kilowatt of heating capacity.

Remember to factor in aspects like insulation, type of flooring, window dimensions, and ceiling height, as these can influence the heating efficiency of your chosen system.

Determining Your Heater’s Capacity

When selecting a heater, your choice should be informed by various factors:

• Home Insulation: Well-insulated spaces retain heat better.
• Flooring Type: Some floors can lose heat more quickly than others.
• Window Treatments: They can reduce heat loss.
• Ceiling Height: Higher ceilings may require more heating.
• Window Dimensions & Orientation: Larger windows or those facing certain directions may affect warmth.

Remember, gas ducted heating is giving way to more energy-efficient reverse cycle refrigerated systems. For tailored advice, consider contacting a specialist to evaluate your needs.

Understanding Star Ratings

Star ratings serve as a guide to an appliance’s energy efficiency, particularly relevant to heating systems. The more stars your unit has, the greater its efficiency and the lower your running costs will generally be. For each additional star, expect to save approximately 10% on operating expenses.

The star rating scale ranges from a minimum of 1, representing lower efficiency, to a maximum of 6 stars, the benchmark for superior energy performance. Should your heater surpass the 6-star standard, an equivalent star rating is applied to denote its exceptional efficiency.

Thermostats and Temperature Regulation

Your home’s thermal comfort is at your fingertips with wall-mounted touch controllers, featuring an LED display that doubles as the nerve centre for your heating and cooling systems. Its high-resolution screen remains clear even at night or under dim lighting, designed for effortless use across all levels of tech proficiency.

• Manual Control: Simply select your desired temperature and switch the system off once you’re sufficiently warm.
• Automatic Control: The system automatically activates or deactivates to keep your home’s temperature even, whether for the entire space or certain areas only.
• Customised Scheduling: Enjoy a 7-day programmable feature syncing with your weekly routine. Late nights on Tuesday? Set the system to warm your home just before you return.

Saving Power

When managing your home’s temperature, wise use of your gas heating thermostat can significantly trim your energy expenditure. Opting for a setting between 19 to 20 degrees provides a steady and cosy warmth, which is often sufficient even during the chillier times.

If you find the temperature slightly cool, consider these alternatives to stay warm:

• Wear an additional jumper
• Put on some slippers
• Snuggle under a blanket while lounging

These simple adjustments help maintain comfort without overtaxing your heating system. Remarkably, even a single degree reduction on your thermostat can potentially lower your electricity costs by 10%. Additionally, safeguarding your thermostat settings with a PIN can prevent unnecessary and costly adjustments.

Zoning Your Residence

Implementing a zoning strategy in your duct heating system could lead to notable savings. By selectively heating or cooling areas utilised at different times, you’re not wasting energy on unoccupied spaces. Typically, you might warm the bedrooms in the evening and the kitchen or dining area in the morning.

Key Points:

• Cost-Effective: Tailoring climate control saves on power bills.
• Adaptable: Adjust zones for your lifestyle, like warming living areas when home.

Trends:

• Transition from Gas Ducted to Electric Systems: More Melbourne homes are swapping gas ducted heating for electric alternatives, such as reverse cycle refrigerated ducted systems which offer efficient temperature regulation.

Ducted Heating Upgrades in Melbourne

Upgrade your traditional gas ducted heating systems to electric solutions, notably reverse cycle refrigerated ducted systems.
You will have a more sustainable and often more efficient method of controlling your household climate.
If you’re considering an upgrade, it’s wise to consult with heating and cooling specialists who can provide tailored advice for your home’s needs.