Gas Ducted Heating vs Ducted Reverse Cycle

The decision most Ranges homes face eventually

A gas ducted heater lasts a long time when it is serviced. Eventually it reaches the point where a repair no longer makes sense, and the question becomes: replace it with another gas heater, or convert the home to a ducted reverse cycle system? There is no single right answer. Here is how the two compare.

Gas ducted heating

• Strengths. Fast, strong heat on a cold morning. A like-for-like replacement is a relatively straightforward job, and the existing ducts can usually stay where we have inspected them and they are suitable. Brivis is our preferred brand and we are factory-trained Brivis dealers who buy direct.
• Limits. Heating only. It runs on gas, and a gas bill cannot be offset the way an electricity bill can with solar and batteries. Servicing matters: dirty return air, flame sensors and igniters are the usual causes of the breakdowns we see.
• When it makes sense. The home has a sound gas supply, you are happy with gas, cooling is handled separately (often by an evaporative cooler), and the budget suits a replacement rather than a conversion.

Ducted reverse cycle

• Strengths. Heating and refrigerated cooling from one system, zoned around how you live, running on electricity that can come from solar. Modern systems heat efficiently in cold conditions.
• Limits. A larger investment, and a larger job. A new ducted reverse cycle installation gets new, correctly insulated ductwork; we do not reuse gas-heating ductwork for it, because the airflow, insulation and outlet layout are different. It also needs a suitable electrical supply.
• When it makes sense. You want whole-home heating and cooling, you want to move away from gas, or the existing gas heater and evaporative cooler are both due for replacement. The Victorian Energy Upgrades program can materially reduce the cost when gas heating is replaced, though it is not a free air conditioner and the incentive varies job by job.

The cost conversation, honestly

A like-for-like gas heater replacement is usually the lower upfront cost. A ducted reverse cycle conversion costs more upfront and replaces two systems (heating and cooling) with one, with the incentive offsetting part of it. Running costs depend on the home, the tariff and whether you have solar, so we talk through them at the assessment rather than promising savings on a page.

What we recommend

Neither, by default. We repair gas heaters when a repair is sensible, replace them like for like when that is what the home and the household want, and design ducted reverse cycle conversions when that is the better long-term answer. Read repair or replace a gas heater if the heater is still going, or gas to electric conversions if you are leaning electric.