Your Home Electrification Steps
Upgrade to Heat Pump Heating & Cooling
Replace your separate gas heating and ineffective evaporative cooling appliances with high-efficiency heat pump (reverse-cycle air conditioner) technology.
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Start saving: Heating is the biggest energy user in your home
Space heating (in southern Australia) is the biggest energy consumer outside driving your car. That means making the switch to efficient, electric space heating will save you a significant amount of money right from the get-go – each and every year.
- Store your own FREE electricity
- Reduce your energy bill even further
- Blackout protection
Pump up the savings
There is currently no technology for heating your home that is better than a heat pump. Research conducted by Rewiring Australia shows that using reverse-cycle air-conditioners is by far the cheapest option. Coupled with free electricity from your rooftop Solar PV, it’s a no-brainer to make the switch when the time comes to replace your home’s space heating system.
- Making the switch to efficient, electric space heating will save you a significant amount of money right from the get-go.
- Types: Whole-home air conditioning systems for homeowners; portable and window units for renters.
- Split system air conditioners are up to five times more efficient than traditional heating and cooling and have a lifespan between 10 and 20 years.
High efficiency heating at your fingertips
The safest, cleanest, and most efficient way to heat your home in the winter and cool your home in the summer is with a heat pump – commonly known here as a reverse-cycle air conditioner. Heat pumps are more energy efficient than other heating and cooling systems like gas wall, hydronic, oil heat, and ducted gas systems.
- The cheapest form of heating/cooling available
- Use rooftop solar for FREE heating and cooling
- Use single units (not ducted) for higher efficiency
Split System vs. Ducted
There are two kinds of reverse cycle air conditioner:
- Split systems are great for heating and cooling single rooms or small apartments. The upfront cost of purchasing and installing a split system air conditioner can range from $1,500 to $5,000.
- Ducted air conditioning systems have vents in the ceiling – or sometimes the floor – in multiple rooms all linked to one central unit. They are more convenient for larger homes but are more expensive and usually less efficient than split systems, costing up to around $12,000 or $15,000.
Selecting the right size system for your home
Save money by looking for the right model for the size and layout of your house.
Factors that can reduce the need for larger split systems or ducted systems and reduce upfront costs:
- You are able to zone your house and not cool and heat seldom used rooms
- Your house is draft proofed
- Your house has good insulation
- You have ceiling fans to push down warm air in winter and increase ventilation in summer.
When you are shopping around this size is listed as a feature, and will be listed as a number in kilowatts, for example 3.5 kW. Generally the bigger the unit the less efficient it is, so don’t jump into oversizing the units.
Heat pump hydronic systems
A hydronic system circulates hot or cold water through radiator panels in rooms or under the floor. It converts heat from the outside air to hot water that is piped through to the home to provide ‘radiant’ heating.
Both hydronic systems and split system air-conditioners can be energy-efficient, but they work differently. Hydronic systems need proper insulation for the pipes to maintain their energy efficiency. It’s also worth noting that they involve a higher initial investment for purchase, installation, and operation compared to reverse-cycle air conditioners.
Costs & Benefits
|
UPFRONT COSTS
approx. $3k-$8k depending on type & home config. (Gov. rebates available) |
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
10-20 years. |
COST SAVINGS
$300+ /yr. Increases with solar PV. |
|
FEATURES/BENEFITS
One appliance heats and cools your home. More effective in our changing climate. Safer - no flame or toxic gasses. |
DIFFICULTY
Hard. Installer required. |
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
Heat pumps are ~3x more efficient than most fossil fuel heaters. And you can use green energy to heat and cool! |
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Learn more about heat pump heating & cooling
Your Next Steps with Heat Pump Heating & Cooling
1. Get a home energy assessment (optional)
Consider getting an energy assessment to determine how well your home is sealed and insulated, and inspect your current appliances for their efficiency. These professionals offer insights through experience and software modelling that can better educate your decisions and save you a significant amount. In Victoria, professional home energy assessments (Scorecard Assessment) are offered at a discount through the VEU program. You can find a local assessor via the national Scorecard website.
2. Make your home more efficient
If you’ve identified draughts and leaks yourself, or your energy assessment shows your home doesn’t have enough sealing or insulation, you may want to add more. When you do that, you make your home more energy-efficient, which means you can install a smaller, less expensive heat pump! If you’d like to DIY, we’ve got a handy resource called the Home Energy Efficiency Toolkit. Check it out!
3. Get quotes
It’s important to get a number of quotes to see if you’re getting a good deal. Make sure you are comparing similar sized systems. In Wangaratta & surrounds, some suppliers to start a conversation with are: O’Briens, Air Precision, and Unite Refrigeration.
4. Install, set, forget!
Heat pumps work best when they maintain a steady, even temperature. For ideal performance and comfort, set it around 20 degC (winter) and 25 degC (summer).
To maintain your heat pump, set a schedule to clean and change the filter based on the manufacturer’s instructions. Get your heat pump serviced by a professional once a year to maintain optimal performance.
Heat pump FAQ's
Do heat pumps work in cold climates?
Yes. A heat pump can keep your home warm even when the temperature dips down as low as -10°. In fact, heat pumps heat roughly half the homes in Norway, Finland, and Sweden – climates that are far colder than our own.
Do I need to do anything to my home before installing a heat pump?
It’s a good idea to weatherise your home before investing in new heaters. Draught proofing and insulating your home before upgrading to a heat pump will ensure that your new system will work more efficiently to maintain a comfortable temperature. Weatherisation can also save you hundreds of dollars a year by reducing energy waste.
Can I use ducts from my existing gas heater?
While it may be possible to use the outlets in your ceiling, you will likely need to replace the ducts themselves to increase performance and efficiency of a new ducted RCAC system. A qualified installer will know what to do.
Is it better to install split systems, or ducted?
In terms of efficiency, individual split systems (mounted on your wall OR floor) are the most energy efficient units you can buy. They are often cheaper as well. But some people will prefer ducted which is still a good choice.
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