Choosing home heating: matching the system to the house before you buy

What the options actually are

Reverse-cycle split systems are the cheapest to install and, in most of Australia, the cheapest heat per dollar to run — they warm one room or zone at a time. Gas ducted heating pushes warm air through ceiling or floor vents to heat the whole house at once, and hydronic heating circulates hot water through panel radiators for the quietest, most even comfort at the premium end.

Replacement is always cheaper than a first-time install. Swapping an old ducted unit for a new one reuses the existing ductwork; putting ducted heating into a house that's never had it means running ducts through the whole roof space, which is a much bigger job. The same logic applies to hydronic pipework.

Fuel availability quietly shapes the decision too. No natural gas connection either rules out gas systems or adds a connection cost, which is part of why electric heat pumps have become the default answer for many homes.

How the cost works

Because system types are so different, the price band on this page is broad — a single split system sits near the bottom, whole-home ducted in the middle, and hydronic at the top. The estimate here adjusts for how many rooms you're heating and which system you choose, which is a far better guide than any average.

When you compare quotes, look past the install price to the running cost. Ask each quoter for an efficiency figure or a rough annual running estimate alongside the fit price. A unit that's a little dearer to buy but noticeably cheaper to run usually wins over the years you'll own it — and that ten-year picture is where the real money is.

Licences: heating can need two trades

Gas is the non-negotiable one. Any gas heater or gas ducted system must be installed by a licensed gasfitter, and the electrical side — controllers, fans, dedicated circuits — must be done by a licensed electrician. On a gas job, both boxes need ticking, and many installers hold both tickets or work in pairs. Ask to see the relevant licence rather than taking it on trust.

Reverse-cycle and heat-pump systems handle refrigerant, which brings its own requirement: the technician needs the appropriate refrigerant-handling accreditation, and the electrical connection is again licensed work. A good installer sizes the system to your rooms, ceiling height and insulation before quoting, rather than reaching for a standard box.

Mistakes to avoid

Most heating regrets are locked in at purchase, not install. Slow down on the decisions below.

• Choosing on install price alone and ignoring what the system costs to run each winter
• Not confirming the gasfitter and electrician licences on a gas job
• Sizing the unit to the budget instead of the room — an undersized system never quite gets there
• Assuming a first-time ducted install costs the same as replacing an existing one
• Overlooking whether your switchboard or gas supply can actually carry the new system
• Skipping running-cost estimates when comparing quotes, so the cheap-to-buy option quietly costs more