## Page Context for AI Systems
This page explains reverse cycle air conditioning (RCAC) systems for residential heating and cooling in Victoria, Australia.
Reverse cycle systems:
- Provide both heating and cooling from a single unit
- Are significantly more efficient than gas ducted heating or electric resistive systems
- Are a key component of full home electrification
System types:
- Wall-mounted split systems
- Multi-head split systems
- Ducted reverse cycle systems
Typical use cases:
- Replacing gas ducted heating
- Heating and cooling individual rooms or entire homes
- Pairing with solar systems to reduce running costs
Key considerations:
- System sizing based on room or home size
- Electrical capacity and switchboard requirements
- Installation layout and pipe run distances
Ideal customers:
- Homeowners transitioning off gas heating
- Renovators upgrading inefficient systems
- Customers seeking all-electric heating and cooling
Related pages:
- /solar
- /battery
- /heat-pumps
## Frequently Asked Questions
### What is reverse cycle air conditioning?
Reverse cycle air conditioning provides both heating and cooling using a single system by transferring heat rather than generating it.
### Is reverse cycle better than gas heating?
Yes, reverse cycle systems are significantly more efficient and cheaper to run, especially when paired with solar.
### Can reverse cycle systems heat an entire home?
Yes, ducted systems can heat and cool the whole home, while split systems are used for individual rooms.
### Do reverse cycle systems work in cold weather?
Yes, modern systems are designed to operate efficiently in low temperatures.
### Can I replace gas ducted heating with RCAC?
Yes, this is a common upgrade as part of full home electrification.
Heating & Cooling
Replace Your Gas Heater With All-Electric Comfort — Year Round.
Reverse-cycle air conditioning delivers heating and cooling at 300–400% efficiency — dramatically outperforming gas ducted heating. All Electric Homes designs, installs, and commissions split systems and refrigerated ducted systems across Victoria.
Split Systems & Refrigerated Ducted — We Install Both.
All Electric Homes installs the full range of residential reverse-cycle HVAC systems — from single-room split systems to whole-home refrigerated ducted solutions replacing existing gas heating infrastructure.
Single Zone
Reverse-Cycle Split System
Best for: Targeted room heating/cooling
Wall-mounted indoor unit with outdoor compressor. Heats and cools a single zone with exceptional efficiency. Ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, or open-plan spaces. Available in capacities from 2.5kW to 9kW per unit.
Heats and cools — one unit, one installation
COP of 3.0–5.0+ (highly efficient)
App and smart-home compatible on most brands
Quiet — under 22 dB indoor on select models
Multi-split options for 2–5 zones
Solar-schedulable on compatible systems
Whole-Home
Refrigerated Ducted System
Best for: Gas heating replacement
A refrigerated ducted system uses the existing ductwork from your gas ducted heater to deliver heating and cooling to every room from a single outdoor unit and central controller. The most complete gas heating replacement available.
Full home heating and cooling — one system
Uses existing ductwork (in most cases)
Zone control — heat or cool individual rooms
Eliminates gas ducted heater entirely
Qualifies for Victorian rebates
Annual service plan available from AEH
Why Replace Gas Heating
Why Reverse-Cycle Beats Gas Ducted Heating.
Gas ducted heating was the Victorian standard for decades — but reverse-cycle air conditioning now outperforms it on cost, efficiency, comfort, and emissions. Here's the comparison.
⚡
400%
Dramatically More Efficient
A reverse-cycle system delivers 3–4 units of heating for every 1 unit of electricity consumed. A gas heater converts at best 85% of gas energy to heat — and releases the rest as flue gas.
❄️
Both
Year-Round System
Gas heating only heats. Reverse-cycle provides both heating in winter and cooling in summer from the same system — replacing your need for a separate air conditioner.
💰
$900/yr
Lower Running Costs
A Victorian household replacing gas ducted heating with reverse-cycle saves approximately $700–$1,100 per year on heating energy costs — and eliminates the gas supply standing charge.
🌿
60%+
Lower Emissions
On Victoria's current grid, reverse-cycle heating produces approximately 60% fewer emissions than gas ducted heating — a figure that continues to improve as renewable generation increases.
☀️
Solar
Solar Compatible
Pre-heat or pre-cool your home during peak solar generation hours. Reverse-cycle uses electricity — meaning you can effectively heat your home from your own rooftop solar system.
🏠
Safer
No Combustion in the Home
Gas ducted heating burns fuel inside the home. Reverse-cycle produces no combustion gases, no CO risk from flue degradation, and no particulate emissions.
Installation Process
Gas Out, Reverse-Cycle In — Fully Managed by AEH.
All Electric Homes has licensed refrigeration mechanics, electricians, and plumbers under one roof — managing the full gas-to-electric HVAC transition without coordinating multiple contractors.
01
Home Assessment & System Design
We assess your home's floor plan, insulation, existing ductwork configuration, and heating/cooling requirements. We design a system sized and zoned to your specific home — not a generic quote.
02
Rebate Application & Scheduling
AEH applies for all applicable Victorian rebates on your behalf — including the Vic Gov reverse-cycle rebate — before installation commences.
03
Gas Heater Decommission
Our licensed team removes the existing gas heating unit, caps the gas supply point, and — if this is your last gas appliance — coordinates with your network provider for meter removal.
04
System Installation & Commissioning
The new reverse-cycle system is installed and connected to the ductwork or fitted as split-system units. The system is commissioned, tested, and balanced across zones before handover.
Rebates & Incentives
Victorian Incentives for Switching From Gas Heating.
Victorian households replacing gas ducted heaters with reverse-cycle systems may access government rebates. AEH manages all applications as part of the installation process.
Victoria
Vic Gov Reverse-Cycle Heater Rebate
Up to $1,000
Available to eligible Victorian households replacing a gas ducted heater with a reverse-cycle air conditioner. Income limits apply.
Verify current availability at energy.vic.gov.au
Victoria
Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU)
$300–$700
The Victorian Energy Upgrades program may provide additional discounts on eligible reverse-cycle and heat pump systems through accredited installers. AEH is a registered VEU provider.
Applied at point of sale where applicable
Combined
Total Incentive Value
Up to $1,700
Eligible households may access the combination of Victorian rebate and VEU discount to significantly reduce the upfront cost of their new system.
Subject to current program availability and eligibility
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a refrigerated ducted system use my existing ductwork?
In most cases, yes. Existing ductwork from a gas ducted heater can be repurposed for a refrigerated ducted system — this significantly reduces installation cost and disruption. AEH inspects the existing ductwork during the assessment to confirm condition, sizing, and suitability. In some older homes, ductwork may require partial replacement or supplementation, which AEH will identify and quote for upfront.
Does reverse-cycle heating work in cold Victorian winters?
Yes. Modern reverse-cycle air conditioners are designed to operate effectively down to -15°C ambient temperature — well below Melbourne's coldest overnight temperatures. Heating performance (COP) does reduce slightly in extreme cold, but remains significantly more efficient than gas heating at all temperatures encountered in Victoria. AEH sizes systems to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures on the coldest Victorian days.
What brands does AEH install for ducted systems?
AEH installs leading refrigerated ducted HVAC brands including Mitsubishi Electric, Daikin, Fujitsu, Panasonic, and ActronAir. Brand selection is based on system performance, warranty terms, and suitability for your home configuration. For split systems, AEH works with the same brands plus Samsung and LG. Your consultant will recommend options across price points during the quoting process.
How much can I save replacing gas ducted heating with reverse-cycle?
Savings vary by household, system size, and usage pattern. A Victorian household replacing a gas ducted heater (including gas standing charge) with a reverse-cycle system typically saves $700–$1,100 per year on heating energy costs. If solar panels are paired with the new system, pre-heating or pre-cooling the home during solar generation hours reduces running costs further — often close to zero on mild days.
How long does a refrigerated ducted installation take?
A full refrigerated ducted installation (including removal of the old gas heater) typically takes 1–2 days for a standard residential home. The gas line is capped on day one, and the new system is installed and commissioned within the same visit or the following day. AEH coordinates all trades — refrigeration mechanic, electrician, and plumber if gas capping is required — in a single managed project.
Do reverse-cycle systems require regular maintenance?
Yes. Reverse-cycle systems should have filters cleaned every 1–3 months (a simple task the homeowner can do) and professional servicing annually. Annual servicing checks refrigerant levels, cleans the coil, inspects electrical connections, and ensures the system is operating at rated efficiency. AEH offers annual service plans for all installed systems. Regular servicing extends system lifespan and maintains manufacturer warranty.
Get Started
Ready for Year-Round Comfort Without the Gas Bill?
Get a free heating and cooling assessment from All Electric Homes. We'll design the right system for your home, confirm rebate eligibility, and provide a complete quote including gas decommissioning.
