compare ducted and split system

Central Ducted Heating vs Split Systems for Burwood

Energy Choices

Efficient Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners produce only one-third the greenhouse gas emissions of standard electric heaters. For Burwood and other Melbourne homes, the most efficient 5–6 star reverse cycle units produce less than one-fifth of the emissions of conventional electric heaters.

Moreover, central ducted heaters and reverse cycle air conditioners have Energy Rating Labels to help you choose the most efficient model. However, the gas Energy Rating Label is industry-led and not monitored by government.  

Central vs Split System for Burwood

Choosing whether to heat your whole house or only the required rooms or spaces has a major influence on the greenhouse impact of your home. In a house with central heating, the greenhouse emissions and costs of running it are usually higher than running efficient split system.

Central ducted heating can often heat a whole house whether individual rooms are occupied or not. Moreover, split systems usually only heat the room or area where the heater is installed.

For an energy efficient house, use split system heating only in rooms that require heating or use a zoned central heater to reduce running costs.

Answer the following questions before buying a heater:

  • Does the room need to be heated or will eliminating cold draughts and improving insulation be enough?
  • How many rooms need to be heated?
  • What size are they?
  • How often and for how long will heating be required?

The Choice online guide helps work out which heater is right for your home. Seek expert advice with Rapid Cold to find a system most suited for your application.

Ducted Air

In ducted systems, hot air is circulated through roof or underfloor ducts, supplying convective heat. Gas or a reverse cycle air conditioner can be the heat source.

Design the system so that the extent of the area heated can be controlled and include zoning to allow for shutting off heating to unoccupied areas. Ducted systems should be designed and installed by accredited experts.

Installation in Burwood

We ensure the ducted system is sized for the house. New, energy efficient houses that meet the requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) require less heating and smaller capacity heating equipment.

Ducts should be the correct size and have adjustable outlets (registers). Ducts need to be larger if also used for cooling.

Insulate ducts to at least R1.5 and make sure all joints are well sealed.

A return air path from every outlet back to the central system is very important. Without it the warm air escapes and the system sucks cold air in, dramatically reducing its effectiveness. In each room that has a duct outlet installed, a gap under the door between the room and the central return air inlet creates a return path.

In ducted gas systems, a fan moves the air around the home, using electricity as well as gas. Therefore, you face both bills in gas and electricity for your gas heaters running cost.

Electric Heaters

These devices heat a smaller area — one or perhaps two rooms — and come in a wide range of types.

1) Electric Portable Heaters (Just don’t think about it Burwood)

Electric portable heaters can be cheap to buy but are expensive to run and are mostly ineffective.

These heaters are likely to overheat and cause fires if clothes or bedding are accidentally placed on them or near them. All electric heaters should have a safety switch to avoid overheating but that doesn’t mean they all do!

Similarly, electric systems may produce high greenhouse gas emissions. However, using a small electric heater for local heating may be cheaper and have lower emissions than heating a much larger area with gas.

2) Electric Split Systems (including Multi Head Split Systems)

Reverse cycle air conditioning provides convective heat and is the most energy efficient electric heater.

The most efficient 5–6 star units may be cheaper to run and generate lower greenhouse gas emissions than gas heaters. Visit the Energy Rating website to find the most efficient reverse cycle air conditioners.

Contact Rapid Cold today for a free, no obligation quote.