If you’re looking for a solution that provides both air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter, a split system heat pump, also known as a reverse cycle heat pump, maybe the ideal choice. But how effective is it compared to a heating-only system?

Moving Away from Gas

Before diving into the effectiveness of split system heat pumps, it’s important to note that we won’t be considering gas heating in this discussion. Gas is a fossil fuel and its usage leads to greenhouse gas emissions. However, electricity, which powers heat pumps, can be obtained from renewable sources such as solar or through the purchase of 100% GreenPower, making it possible to achieve greenhouse neutrality.

Furthermore, the economics of gas heating no longer make sense in most cases. Recent research reports from Renew highlight this shift in perspective.

Government Action on Gas Ducted Heating

The Australian Government has taken significant measures against gas ducted heating due to safety concerns. As of April 2019, new regulations for supply and installation have been implemented to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. To avoid such risks, many homeowners are upgrading to reverse cycle heat pumps.

Now that we’ve addressed these points, let’s explore the available options for reverse cycle heating.

Understanding Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning

Reverse cycle air conditioning, commonly referred to as a “heat pump,” operates by cooling the air in summer and heating it in winter. The process involves a refrigerant that cools the air during summer months. When heat is needed, a compressor pumps the air into a condenser, where the refrigerant is heated. This warm refrigerant is then used to heat the air pumped into your home. Before being distributed throughout the room, a range of filters in the head unit ensures the air is clean.

Reverse cycle air conditioning units are known for their energy efficiency compared to other cooling and heating systems. Studies show that for every kilowatt of electrical energy used, they generate three units of heat. There are two main options available: split systems and ducted systems.

Transitioning from Gas Heating to Reverse Cycle Ducted

Split systems are generally considered the most efficient choice. However, a potential drawback of the single split system approach is that you require an outdoor compressor for each room you want to heat or cool. For larger homes with multiple rooms, this can result in numerous outdoor units, which might be visually unappealing and occupy significant outdoor space. To address this concern, multi-head and ducted systems are designed to branch off from a single outdoor unit to various rooms in the house that require heating or cooling. To learn more about the available ducted systems, refer to our article on Refrigerated Heating and Cooling.

Selecting the Right Reverse Cycle Air Conditioner

Choosing a reverse cycle air conditioner goes beyond simply opting for the cheapest or most expensive model on the market. Whether you decide on a ducted or split system, the crucial factor is to select a unit that is appropriately sized for the area you need to heat and cool. If the capacity of an air conditioner is too low for a room, it will need to work harder, wasting energy and potentially shortening its lifespan. Conversely, an oversized unit will cycle more frequently, leading to reduced dehumidification, discomfort, and energy waste.