Free tool for Melbourne homeowners
Gas Ducted Heating Cost Calculator
Estimate what gas ducted heating costs to install or replace, by outlets, star rating and ductwork. Then see honestly what it costs to run against reverse cycle.
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Gas ducted heating cost by home size
Typical Melbourne prices, supplied and installed, single storey, 3 star unit:
| Home | Outlets | Fresh install | Replacing old ducted |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 bedroom | 4 to 5 | $4,800 to $6,700 | $3,600 to $5,000 |
| 3 bedroom | 5 to 7 | $5,300 to $7,800 | $4,000 to $5,900 |
| 4 bedroom | 7 to 9 | $6,200 to $8,900 | $4,600 to $6,700 |
| 5 plus bedroom | 10 to 12 | $7,500 to $10,600 | $5,600 to $8,000 |
A 5 star unit adds roughly $900 and a 6 star unit roughly $1,500, but they cost less to run every winter. Reusing sound existing ductwork takes about 25 percent off.
The honest part: what it costs to run
Gas ducted heating is cheaper to buy than reverse cycle ducted, which is why plenty of Melbourne homes still have it. Roughly $7,000 against about $13,000.
But it is far more expensive to run. A gas ducted system turns about 68 percent of its gas into warmth, while a reverse cycle heat pump delivers about 4 units of heat for every unit of electricity. Across a Melbourne winter, heating the same home costs roughly $1,600 on gas against about $650 on reverse cycle.
That gap of roughly $950 a winter is worth about $9,500 over ten years, which is more than the extra you paid to install ducted reverse cycle in the first place. Add a Victorian Energy Upgrades rebate of $3,000 to $5,500 on the changeover and the maths shifts further.
We install both, and we will tell you honestly which suits your situation. If your gas ducted unit is fairly new and running well, keeping it is perfectly reasonable.
Gas ducted or reverse cycle ducted?
Gas ducted suits you when
- The upfront budget is the binding constraint, at roughly half the price
- You already have gas connected and sound ductwork
- You only need heating, and cool with something else
- You are selling soon and will not see the running cost payback
Reverse cycle ducted suits you when
- You will keep the home long enough to earn back the difference
- You want cooling in summer from the same system
- You qualify for a VEU rebate on a gas changeover
- You have solar, which makes the electricity side cheaper again
Also worth knowing: any gas heater should be serviced and carbon monoxide tested at least every two years. That is a safety issue, not just a maintenance one.
Compare before you commit
Frequently asked questions
How much does gas ducted heating cost to install?
Indicatively about $4,800 to $6,700 for a small 4 to 5 outlet home and roughly $6,200 to $8,900 for a typical 4 bedroom home with 7 to 9 outlets, supplied and installed with a 3 star unit. Replacing an old ducted system where the ductwork can be reused takes roughly 25 percent off. A 5 or 6 star unit adds $900 to $1,500 but costs less to run.
How much does it cost to replace a ducted heating unit?
If the existing ductwork is sound and can be reused, a changeover typically lands about $3,600 to $8,000 depending on home size, against $4,800 to $10,600 for a full fresh install. Before you replace like for like, it is worth checking what a reverse cycle system would cost to run instead, because the difference is roughly $950 a winter.
Is gas ducted heating cheaper than reverse cycle?
Cheaper to buy, more expensive to run. Gas ducted costs roughly $7,000 installed against about $13,000 for ducted reverse cycle. But heating the same home for a winter costs roughly $1,600 on gas against about $650 on reverse cycle, so the running cost gap of about $950 a year usually overtakes the upfront saving within several years.
Is a higher star rating worth it on gas ducted heating?
Often yes if you are staying put. A 6 star unit costs roughly $1,500 more than a 3 star one but burns noticeably less gas every winter. If you are choosing gas specifically to keep the upfront cost down, a 3 star unit is the cheapest way in.
Can I get a rebate on gas ducted heating?
Not for installing gas. The Victorian Energy Upgrades program is designed to move homes off gas, so the rebates apply when you replace gas ducted heating with an efficient reverse cycle system, indicatively $3,000 to $5,500 for a ducted changeover.
What is the average monthly cost to run ducted gas heating?
Across a Melbourne winter a typical 3 bedroom home spends roughly $1,600 on gas for ducted heating, which works out to about $300 to $500 a month through the colder months. A larger 250 square metre home often lands between $400 and $600 a month in the depths of winter. Star rating, insulation, zoning and your gas rate all shift the number, and outside winter it drops away to almost nothing.
We install both, and we will tell you the truth
Gas ducted is cheaper upfront. Reverse cycle is far cheaper to run and may come with a rebate. A free on site assessment gives you a fixed price on both, and an honest recommendation for your home and how long you plan to stay in it.
Book your free assessment Or call 0412 769 022.