Is Ducted Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning Good: Efficient Climate Control for Australian Homes
Ducted reverse-cycle air conditioning is the perfect choice for many homes and businesses, making it possible to heat and cool large spaces efficiently. Through ‘zoning’, you control the temperature in each room with a single system.
Ducted reverse cycle air conditioning is popular because it offers year-round comfort and can save you money on energy bills. It works by moving heat from one place to another, using less power than other heating and cooling options.
This system is quiet and hidden from view as the main unit sits discreetly and quietly outside, while ducts and vents are tucked away in your ceiling or floor. This gives a minimalist look while offering top performance.
Understanding Ducted Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning
Ducted reverse cycle air conditioning offers year-round climate control for your home and can both heat and cool, making it a versatile choice for many Aussie households.
What Is Ducted Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning?
Ducted reverse cycle air conditioning is a whole-home cooling and heating system that uses a network of ducts to distribute air throughout your house. The main unit is installed outside or in the roof space, keeping your home free of bulky equipment.
Ducted systems are great for larger homes or open-plan living areas as they can heat multiple rooms at different temperatures.
Components and How It Works
The main parts of a ducted reverse cycle system are:
- Outdoor unit: Containing the compressor and fan that moves refrigerant around the system.
- Indoor unit: Installed in the roof space, linking the outdoor unit to the ducts.
- Ducts: Connects each room to the system to transfer warm and cool air.
- Vents: Blows warm or cool air into each room.
- Thermostat: Controls the system to set an ideal temperature.
When cooling, the system removes heat from inside the home and releases it outside. For heating, it does the opposite, capturing heat from the outdoor air and bringing it inside. The refrigerant plays a key role in this process. Changing from liquid to gas and back again. This process helps move heat in or out of your home.
Benefits of a Reverse Cycle System
Ducted reverse cycle systems offer many perks:
- One system for both heating and cooling.
- Improved energy efficiency as heat is transferred rather than generated.
- Maintains an even temperature and keeps your whole home comfortable.
- Quiet operation as the main unit is outside or in the roof space.
- Improves air quality by using modern filters that can remove dust and allergens.
Installation and Costs
Installing ducted reverse-cycle air conditioning involves several steps and costs. The process can vary based on your home’s layout and existing infrastructure.
Initial Installation Process
The installation starts with a site visit by a qualified technician who will check your home’s layout, suggesting the best locations for the indoor and outdoor units. A team of experts will install the outdoor unit, usually on a concrete slab or wall brackets.
Next, they’ll fit the indoor unit in your roof space or under the floor, ducts will be installed that connect each room to the main units. The team will also need to cut holes in your ceilings or floors for the vents. Finally, they’ll connect the electrical wiring and refrigerant lines.
The full process can take 1-5 days depending on your home’s size and complexity.
Factors Influencing Installation Cost
Several things can affect how much you’ll pay for installation:
- The size of your home
- The number of rooms/zones
- If there is existing ductwork
- The ease of access to roof or underfloor spaces
- The type and brand of system
- Your home’s insulation needs
Cost-Benefit Analysis
While the upfront costs can be high, ducted systems can save you money in the long run because they’re more energy-efficient than multiple split systems, especially in larger homes.
You might pay between $5,000 to $15,000 for a basic system in a small home, while larger or more complex setups can cost $20,000 or more.
These systems can easily last 10-15 years with proper care, and many brands offer warranties of 5-10 years on parts and labour. Regular servicing (about $150-$300 yearly) can extend your system’s life and keep it running efficiently.
Efficiency and Savings
Ducted reverse cycle air conditioning offers significant savings on energy bills thanks to the system’s high efficiency and smart features.
Energy Consumption and Efficiency
Ducted reverse cycle units perform impressively in terms of energy use and new models have high energy ratings. They turn one unit of electricity into three to six units of heating or cooling, a much higher conversion than other heating and cooling options.
Ducted systems also let you control different zones in your home so you can cool or heat only the rooms you’re using, resulting in further energy savings.
Reducing Energy Bills with Inverter Technology
Inverter technology ensures the unit runs at the correct speed at all times, meaning the unit does not need to be turned on and off, reducing wasted energy. Inverter air-con systems use up to 30% less energy than non-inverter types, maintaining a steady temperature and avoiding energy spikes.
Smart controls allow you to set timers to run your system only when needed which further reduces energy waste and keeps your bills low.
Environmental Benefits and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Ducted reverse cycle air conditioning units are more eco-friendly than standard heating systems as they don’t burn fuel directly, and, therefore, don’t create extra greenhouse gases. However, these systems do use electricity which can come from fossil fuels, but their high efficiency means they use less power overall.
As Australia moves towards more renewable energy, these systems will become even greener. This makes them a smart choice for eco-minded homeowners who want to reduce their carbon footprint.
Added Features and Considerations
Ducted systems offer a range of advanced features that can boost comfort and efficiency in your home. These features include flexible temperature control, improved air quality, and smart technology options.
Zoning Capabilities and Temperature Control
Zoning lets you set different temperatures in various parts of your house to cool or heat only the rooms you’re using, which saves energy and money. Most ducted systems allow you to create up to eight zones, with each zone having an individual thermostat to set the perfect temperature for each area.
Zoning is ideal for multi-storey homes or houses with large living areas as you might want your bedroom to be cooler at night while keeping the living room a few degrees higher.
Indoor Air Quality and Allergies
Ducted air conditioners can help improve indoor air quality, with many systems coming with built-in air filtration. These filters trap dust, pollen, and other allergens.
Some ducted systems offer extra air purification options such as HEPA filters, UV light treatment, or Ionisers to remove even smaller particles from the air. The advanced filters can also kill bacteria and mould spores, creating cleaner, healthier air.
Smart Features and Remote Climate Control
Many modern ducted systems have smart features that let you control your air conditioning from your phone or tablet. This allows you to adjust settings even when you’re not home to schedule heating or cooling and monitor energy usage.
AI-powered systems can also learn your habits and adjust automatically, changing settings based on the weather outside or how many people are home.
Contact us today to discuss your cooling and heating requirements and the advantages of ducted air-con.