Is Ducted Gas Heating Cheaper? | Kitchener ON

Ducted gas heating certainly has the edge over reverse cycle heating for a number of reasons and one is the fact that it does offer a cheaper option for heating a property.

Gas heating can be good value for money and if you are looking for a system for colder climates where you need to continually heat an area a ducted gas heating system can be just the thing for heating small to medium sized spaces efficiently and at a much lower price that electricity.

Ducted gas central heating consists of a gas furnace that can be either installed outside or under the floor as well as ducts in the rooms you want to heat. Gas heating systems have been proven to be the cheapest whole home option for heating in Australia with big savings per year when compared to ducted reverse cycle heating.

There are a number of reasons why ducted gas heating offers a better solution for home and office heating which we will explore in this article.

Features of a gas ducted heating system

If you’ve done a little bit of research and you have decided a ducted gas heating system is the way to go for your property you would be well aware of the features and benefits of a gas heating system.

Features of a ducted gas heating system include:

• Instant warmth without drying out your eyes
• Gas heating does not rely on the outside air which means no matter how cold it gets outdoors your heating will not lose efficiency (which can happen with reverse cycle air conditioning systems)
• Ducted gas heating systems produces one-third of the emissions of comparable electrical systems
• 7-star systems can provide a big cost savings
• Ducted gas systems can be zoned which means you can set rooms at specific temperatures if required such as dining rooms, bedrooms and kitchen
• Some gas systems can be converted to cooling systems using a gas add-on which means that a cooling fan coil can be added to the heater providing a more versatile unit
• Gas systems can also be run with an evaporative cooling system which means that you can have heating and cooling in the one system as well

Natural gas heating systems work twice as fast as electric and reverse cycle heating systems which means that you can get warmer quicker. On top of this, they are cheap to operate compared with electrical units making them a viable option for individuals looking for an affordable and efficient system for heating their properties.

How much does a ducted gas heating system cost?

If you are looking to compare the difference between electricity and gas, some basic comparisons are outlined below based on kW per hour.

• Retail rate electricity costs 30c per kWh to run
• LPG running costs is 17 – 20c per kWh to run
• Natural gas costs 11-15c per kWh to run

You will need to factor in installation and any additional features you are looking for in your system. Each brand of ducted gas heating is unique, and all have their own features and technology, so the figures above are a simple indicator and you should check with individual brands to find out their specific model costs.

When it comes to space heating the cheaper option for heating is ducted gas heating.

Gas heating is suitable to small to medium spaces in terms of energy efficiency and far more powerful than electric heating systems. It’s important to remember that while units might be cheaper to purchase keeping in mind the on-going running costs of a system is important as over the life of the unit this is what will wind up costing you money. Find a unit that has a 5 to 6-star energy efficiency rating, and you will be on to a good heating option for your property.

Ways to maximise efficiency and running costs for ducted gas heating

If you are looking to ensure you are keeping your heating costs at the lowest possible price, there are a range of ways to maximise efficiency and the running costs of your heating system.

Tips for reducing running costs include:

• Set your thermostat between 18 and 20 degrees – this is by far one of the best tips for keeping your heating costs to a minimum. While you might want a balmy 26 degrees inside your home or office keeping your temps lower will save on running costs and will also make for a more comfortable environment especially if you are in an office where heating should be comfortable rather than sending people to sleep.

• Close the doors and zone rooms that require heating – ensuring you are using zoning for your ducted gas system will allow you to reduce running costs in rooms that do not require heating. You can also zone and change temperatures based on rooms that require more or less heat such as bedrooms and living spaces.

• Close curtains to keep the heat in – if you live in a property with lots of windows you will experience the heat escaping if you keep the windows uncovered. As well as this, if you don’t have very efficient insulation, you will also experience heat escaping so you should close curtains and blinds where possible and also be mindful of whether or not your property has adequate insulation to keep in the heat.

• Don’t run the system overnight – even if there is a cold snap in your area the system really doesn’t need running overnight. You can set the ducted gas heating so that it runs and then turns off automatically at a certain time and then turns on again just before you expect to wake up. By setting these automated timers, you will be able to save on running costs and lost efficiency. On top of this, you should avoid running the system when you are not onsite and where possible set timers or use your smartphone to activate the system if you have this feature available.

• Regularly service your system – servicing your system will ensure it is running properly at all times and it is in peak condition. While it might be tempting to leave your system to be serviced if and when it breaks down a regular service will ensure it stays in perfect condition and you aren’t outlaying unnecessary money for the system.

Is ducted gas cheaper?

The short answer is yes, however like all heating and cooling systems it depends on so many factors and to get a truly informed overview of which system best suits your needs you will need to arrange an onsite measure and quote at your Adelaide property.

The gas heating systems are cheaper to purchase which means it is cheaper than electric systems and reverse cycle systems, as well as this gas is cheap per kW which means you won’t be paying as much to run the system however you will need to keep in mind that if you want a cooling system you may need to either add on an evaporative cooler or a cooling fan coil to add in the cooling element many individuals enjoy from their home or office air conditioning system.

Ducted gas is a quick and clean way to heat your home, and if you are living in the southern states of Australia around Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia, it is a very popular choice for property owners.

For best results arrange an onsite quotation to get your property reviewed to see if it is suitable for gas ducted heating so you can get a detailed quotation of the purchase price, installation and expected running costs based on your floor plan. While an over the phone or approximate estimate via the web might seem like a quick and easy option, the only real way to find out the affordability of a system is to engage a heating expert from a reputable company that specialises in heating and cooling systems.

On top of this, keep in mind the energy efficiency of your system. When you are shopping around you will notice that there is a star energy rating system and the higher the star, the better the system. This rating system allows individuals to get a better understanding of all the comparable ducted gas systems and their energy efficiency so you can make an informed decision based on an Australian rating system, rather than the word of a salesperson.

Ducted gas heating systems are a very effective and efficient way to heat your home, however, to get all the options available to your family and within your budget, it is always important to speak with your local Jim’s Heating & Cooling experts.