So, user’s building a house, shopping for a new home, or looking to upgrade their home heating and cooling.
Maybe the user moved here from interstate or the user lived here for their whole life, and the user’s wondering. “What’s the best heating and cooling system for Melbourne’s climate?”
heating and AC system
Many factors determine the best heating and air conditioning system for the user. Australian Climate Systems will break down the best heating and cooling options according to Melbourne experts.
Following this, Australian Climate Systems will provide a few tips for narrowing down the best system specifically for the property. Let’s get started.
Reverse Cycle Heating and Cooling Is Number 1
Reverse-cycle air conditioners can be used for both heating and cooling and they can be installed
In a professional opinion, ducted reverse cycle air conditioning is the best option on the market and the number one solution in Melbourne.
These electrically powered HVAC units utilize heat pump technology to absorb heat from both indoor and outdoor environments. Reverse-cycle air conditioners can be used for both heating and cooling and they can be installed as ducted systems for a whole-home solution.
Greenhouse gas emissions
Ducted reverse cycle air conditioning can also include zoning, meaning users can divide the property into separate sections for independent climate control in different areas of the home.
According to the Australian Government’s “The Home” website, reverse cycle units are the most energy-efficient air conditioners and heaters available. Even if a reverse cycle system has lower energy ratings, it often boasts lower running costs and fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to the competition.
What's the love of reverse cycle air conditioning for Melbourne?
- Overcome Melbourne’s erratic weather with heating and cooling in one package.
- The reverse cycle fits in perfectly with the push towards all-electric homes in the future.
- Reverse cycle rebates are available for Victoria’s most vulnerable households.
Highwall Split Systems Continue to Be a Popular Option
These units have earned a great reputation because they are compact, easy to install, and affordable to run
These units have earned a great reputation because they are compact, easy to install, and affordable to run. Simply select the best wall in any given room and connect the indoor unit on one side to the outdoor unit on the other side. The split system will then provide climate control for that room but not the rest of the house. This is known as space heating and cooling.
Split system air conditioners can be cooling-only, but they are increasingly being manufactured as reverse cycle split systems, meaning users can also use them as heaters and take advantage of most of the benefits mentioned in the section above.
Why do Australian Climate Systems love split systems?
- A versatile option for the modern Melbourne lifestyle – add one to the bedroom, living room, home office, studio, home gym, and more!
- Perfect for everything from units to townhouses to family homes.
- Users can run multiple indoor split system units using just one outdoor unit through a set-up known as Multi-split system air conditioning. A great alternative to traditional central heating and cooling.
Evaporative Cooling Is Well-Suited to Our Climate
Split systems, reverse cycle air conditioners, and refrigerated air conditioners all use refrigerant gases as part of the process. The issue with refrigerant is that it is not environmentally friendly, and it can be dangerous in the rare case of a refrigerant leak.
Evaporative cooling takes a much more natural approach, using water and the process of evaporation to cool the home.
- Evaporative systems
If the user chooses evaporative cooling in Melbourne, the home will be cooled by drawing outdoor air over water-cooled pads. This causes the air to absorb water vapor, which cools it down. Evaporative systems are almost always ducted, meaning the natural cool breeze will spread throughout the entire home.
When the evaporative cooler is in use, doors, and windows are kept open so fresh cycles of air can constantly be brought into the house. This is in contrast to most air conditioners, where the same indoor air is constantly cooled and recirculated.
- Evaporative coolers
Evaporative coolers are also much cheaper to run than most conventional ACs
Evaporative coolers are also much cheaper to run than most conventional ACs. The major drawback to ducted evaporative cooling is that it doesn’t work well in humid conditions.
However, Melbourne’s dryer summers mean evaporative coolers can almost always work at their best. Evaporative systems are also cooling-only, meaning users will need to find another option for heating the home.
Why do Australian Climate Systems love evaporative cooling?
- An ideal cooling solution for Melbourne’s hotter, dryer climate.
- A natural, eco-friendly solution, perfect for Melbourne’s future.
- Affordable running costs to help combat rising energy prices.
Ducted Refrigerated Air Conditioning
Compared to evaporative cooling, ducted refrigerated air conditioning is a more precise and powerful choice. Like reverse cycle systems, these cooling units use refrigerant gas to absorb heat from inside the home, expel it outdoors, and fill the home with thermostat-controlled cool air. When it comes to ducted air conditioning in Melbourne, refrigerated systems are renowned for reaching lower temperatures and functioning well regardless of outdoor conditions.
Refrigerated air conditioning is a cooling-only solution, so if users are installing a new ducted system, they are better off choosing a reverse-cycle unit. These systems offer the same cooling performance while also offering effective, affordable heating.
Why Australian Climate Systems love refrigerated air conditioning?
- Effective cooling, even on Melbourne’s more humid days.
- Doors and windows remain closed in use – perfect for Melbourne’s many seasonal allergy sufferers!
- Precise, whole-home temperature control thanks to a ducted system with a smart thermostat.
Ducted Gas Heating
Heat pump technology has elevated reverse cycle systems into the number one spot for running costs
Many people think the warmth of gas units is cozier and more natural-feeling, while others have gone with gas because it’s traditionally been more affordable and eco-friendly compared to Australia’s coal-powered electricity supply.
However, the tide is turning in the gas vs electricity debate. As stated, heat pump technology has elevated reverse cycle systems into the number one spot for running costs and eco-friendly operation. As well as this, the continuing move towards renewables and adoption of solar power will make electricity more environmentally friendly overall.
- All-electric homes
All-electric homes also continue to gain momentum, with induction cooktops and electric climate control becoming more appealing than gas stoves and gas heating.
So, if the user installed ducted heating in Templestowe 30 years ago it would no doubt have served the user well. If users install it today, it will still provide premium central heating, but users risk installing a system that will become less common as the years go on. However, Australian Climate Systems still love gas-ducted heating for plenty of reasons.
Why does Australian Climate Systems love gas-ducted heating?
- Gas heating still offers that “comfy” warmth, perfect for Melbourne’s biting winters.
- Users can install add-on refrigerated cooling on compatible systems, getting heating and cooling from the same ducts.
- Ducted gas heating offers fast heating, even in large areas.
Why Does It All Matter?
Choosing the right HVAC unit in the right size and setting the optimal temperature on the thermostat
There is a wide range of heating and cooling systems available, and choosing the right one means more than just comfortable temperatures and energy efficiency.
In the average Aussie home, 40% of the energy Australian Climate Systems use goes towards heating and cooling. Choosing the right HVAC unit in the right size and setting the optimal temperature on the thermostat will directly and noticeably benefit the household budget.
Heat pump system
If users choose a portable electric heater or a gas space heater as the heating solution, they user might feel the sting of higher energy bills. But choose a heat pump system and the user will enjoy not only efficient heating but also quality air conditioning, all with lower energy costs.
With that in mind, Australian Climate Systems recommends:
- Ducted reverse cycle heating and cooling with zoning if the user needs a central climate control solution that covers every room.
- Reverse cycle split systems if the user needs effective heating and cooling in one room or the property cannot accommodate ductwork.
