Ducted Heating Prices

Ducted heating installation in Australia costs $3,500–$5,500 for a small house, $5,000–$8,000 for a medium house, and $7,500–$13,000 for a large house. Reverse cycle ducted systems (heating and cooling) cost $6,000–$14,000. All prices include GST and labour.

Gas ducted heating uses a natural gas furnace to heat air and distribute it through ductwork. Reverse cycle ducted uses an electric heat pump that can both heat and cool the home. Gas ducted systems cost less to install but only provide heating. Reverse cycle systems cost more upfront but provide year-round climate control and may have lower running costs depending on local energy tariffs.

The leading Australian ducted gas heating brands are Brivis (Melbourne, est. 1966), Braemar (Adelaide, est. 1939), and Rinnai. For reverse cycle ducted systems, Daikin and ActronAir dominate the market. All five brands are well-supported with extensive dealer and service networks across Australia.

A standard gas ducted heating installation in an accessible single-storey home takes 1–2 days. Replacing an existing unit using existing ductwork typically takes 4–8 hours. Complex installations in two-storey homes, homes with restricted roof access, or full reverse cycle systems can take 2–3 days.

If a ducted heater is under 10 years old, repair is usually more cost-effective for faults under $800. For units over 15 years old, replacement is almost always better value — newer units are significantly more efficient and parts for old units can be expensive or unavailable. A new installation using existing ductwork typically costs $2,200–$4,500.

Annual servicing is recommended for gas ducted heating systems. A service ($150–$350) includes filter replacement, heat exchanger inspection, flue check, gas pressure test, and efficiency assessment. Regular servicing extends unit life, maintains efficiency, and is important for safety — gas leaks in heat exchangers are a serious carbon monoxide risk.

Yes — add-on refrigerated cooling can be retrofitted to most gas ducted heating systems. An add-on cooling system ($3,500–$7,000) installs an evaporator coil in the heating unit and a separate outdoor condensing unit, using the existing ductwork for distribution. This is usually cheaper than a full reverse cycle replacement if the gas heater is in good condition.

Professional duct cleaning uses negative pressure vacuum equipment and rotary brushes to remove dust, allergens, and debris from all supply and return ducts, grilles, and fan housing. A whole-house duct clean costs $300–$700 and takes 2–4 hours. Recommended every 3–5 years for most homes, or every 2 years for homes with pets or allergy sufferers.

Upgrading to a multi-zone smart controller costs $600–$1,500 depending on the number of zones and whether motorised dampers need to be installed. Smart zone controllers allow different areas of the home to be heated independently via an app, reducing running costs by only heating occupied areas.

For most Australian climates, a 5–6 star rated gas ducted heater is recommended. While higher star units cost $300–$800 more upfront, they can save $200–$600 per year in gas costs compared to a 3–4 star unit. The payback period is typically 2–4 years, making the efficiency premium well worthwhile for most homeowners.

Yes — ducted heating prices have risen 35–45% since 2021, driven by supply chain disruptions for components, higher copper and refrigerant costs, and labour shortages in the HVAC trade. Gas heater replacement prices are among the highest increases. Prices are expected to stabilise in 2026–2027 as supply chains normalise.

The right choice depends on your climate, energy tariffs, and existing infrastructure. In Melbourne, Adelaide, and Canberra where winters are cold, gas ducted heating remains popular and cost-effective. In Sydney, Brisbane, and Queensland where cooling is equally important, reverse cycle ducted systems are increasingly preferred. In Canberra, the ACT government plans to phase out new gas connections — reverse cycle is the future-proof option.