Expert Air Conditioning installation in Geelong, Ballarat & Melbourne
Ducted reverse cycle air conditioning provides energy-efficient electric heating and refrigerated cooling throughout your whole home, making it ideal for year-round use.
Martin Heating & Cooling specialises in the supply and installation of ducted air conditioning systems across Geelong, Ballarat, and Melbourne.
Our qualified technicians ensure every system is correctly sized, professionally installed and delivers reliable, long-term performance for your home.
For personalised advice, call us on 1300 146 525 or use our online enquiry form.
Our FREE fully-inclusive quotes include:
Why Install Ducted Air Conditioning?
Ducted air conditioning, also known as ducted reverse cycle air conditioning because it both heats and cools, is a highly versatile, modern system. Available in a wide range of capacities and features, it can be correctly sized to suit everything from compact two-bedroom to large double-storey homes.
The combination of energy-efficient electric ducted heating and cooling makes it a popular choice for both new builds and homeowners looking to upgrade their current system.
Ducted Air Conditioning FAQs
Using just one system, your ducted reverse cycle air conditioner can keep your entire house at your preferred temperature all year round.
The air conditioner itself is ‘split’ into two main components: an outdoor compressor and an indoor unit, which is sometimes why it’s sometimes referred to as a ducted split system.
The indoor unit connects to a network of ducts and distributes heated or cooled air to each room through vents installed in the ceiling or floor, keeping every part of your home comfortable.
Operating your Ducted Air Conditioner
You can operate your system manually, setting your preferred temperature as needed. Alternatively, you can program the controller to automatically adjust temperatures or turn the system on and off at different times of day and night.
If your system has zoning, you can choose which areas of your home to heat or cool at any time. This helps reduce running costs by avoiding heating or cooling rooms you’re not using. You can also schedule zones to turn on or off automatically, adding even more convenience and efficiency.
Whether your ducts and outlets are in your ceiling or floor will depend on the design of your house.
Roof cavity installation
It is preferable to install ducted air conditioning indoor units, along with the ducts and vents in your roof cavity, as it is generally more easily accessible for installation and ongoing maintenance.
Under house installation
Generally, units are installed under the house with ducts and vents in your floor if:
a) it is not possible to install it in the roof, but there’s room underneath as your house is built on a subfloor (or stumps),
b) If you currently have gas ducted heating with floor vents and want to keep their current set up. However, it does limit your range of air conditioners, as not all are made to live underfloor or completely outside.
What if I don’t have room in my roof or under floor?
If, for example you live in a townhouse which has a concrete slab floor and a flat roof, then the next best thing is a ductless Multi-Head Split System.
Yes, in the majority of cases it is possible to install a Ducted Reverse Cycle Air Conditioner into an existing double story house on both levels.
As part of our assessment, our tech will be able to confirm this with you.
If it’s not possible, they will let you know your options, such as installing a ducted system upstairs and wall mounted split systems downstairs. Or a multi-head split system.
In order to determine which size Ducted Reverse Cycle unit is required for your home, a member from our design team will need to carry out a Heating/Cooling Load Calculation. This can be done with house plans, if available.
The calculation takes into consideration:
- The size of the rooms required to be heated or cooled, as well as the ceiling height
- How many outlets (or vents) you will need – some large rooms will require more than one outlet
- Whether you want to heat or cool the entire home at once (see below)
- The area you live in – areas with frequent winter frosts may require a larger size unit
Ducted Air Conditioner size guide
Each house is unique and needs to be assessed. But a rough guide for a standard sized, single story house is…
- 2 bedrooms: 7-10kw
- 3-4 bedrooms, 1 living area: 12-15kw
- 3-4 bedrooms, 2 living areas: 15-18kw
- Larger house – 18-25kw
The importance of correct sizing
Most people would like the option to heat or cool their whole house at once. In which case you need a unit correctly sized to do this.
However, some companies (not us!) quote on a smaller size unit to make a sale, but in the fine print it will say you have to use it with zoning as it can only heat and cool parts of your house at a time.
This is fine if that’s what you want, but if it’s not, make sure you ask if it can do the whole house at once!
Yes!
In fact Ducted Air Conditioners are known by a few names including Ducted Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning, Central Heating and Cooling, Ducted Split System, Electric Ducted Heating and Refrigerated Cooling, and Heat Pump Heating and Cooling.
But don’t worry, it is all referring to the same thing!
Features & Benefits
Ducted reverse cycle air conditioners are perfect for year-round use in Geelong, Ballarat and Melbourne, where the weather can be unpredictable. All you need to do is set your preferred temperature and the system will take care of the rest.
However, there are optional upgrades that can enhance their performance, including Zoning, which we highly recommend as it saves on running costs.
Zoning is great for saving on running costs as you are only heating or cooling the rooms you currently need, plus its programmable, so it can automatically turn on and off at different periods.
For example, you might have your living areas as Zone A, which you heat or cool during the day and bedrooms as Zone B which you heat or cool during the night.
Want to know more about the ins and outs of Zoning?
Have a read of our What is Zoning page or ask one of our friendly staff members
Inverter technology has increased the energy efficiency of electric heating and cooling systems. It means they don’t turn on and off repeatedly like traditional systems because they continuously adjust their output to maintain a steady temperature.
So instead of running at full speed then shutting off when the desired temperature is reached, an inverter system modulates its speed to provide just the right amount of heating or cooling.
This also makes them quieter and extends their lifespan.
Regardless of the temperature outside, Refrigerated Cooling allows you to set the exact temperature you desire, which the system will maintain.
We only recommend and install units which are built to handle temperature extremes we experience in Geelong, Ballarat & Melbourne, from hot summers to frosty winters.
You can program your Ducted Reverse Cycle Air Conditioner to:
- Turn on or off at certain times
- Run different programs depending on the day of the week
- Set different temperatures throughout your home
Installing additional temperature sensors gives you precise control your your home’s temperature.
It allows your system to know exactly what temperature each room is, so it can adjust the temperature accordingly.
Read more about it in our Temperature Sensor page.
All Ducted Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners come with a programmable wall controller, which is also your temperature sensor, as standard.
Optional features include:
- WIFI control & app
- Zone motors
- Touch screen controller
- Additional Temperature Sensors
Ducted Air Conditioning Installation Costs & Rebates
Thanks to advances in technology and government rebates, ducted air conditioners are now more energy efficient and affordable to install than ever before.
See below for information on running costs, government rebates and get an idea of how much it costs to install a new ducted heating and cooling system in your home.
Need a personalised advice or free quote? Call us on 1300 146 525 or use our online enquiry form today.
We handle every aspect of your new Ducted Reverse Cycle Air Conditioner, from expert advice to professional installation. Our fully inclusive quotes cover:
- Ducted Air Conditioner – your chosen brand, correctly sized for your home
- Quality Installation – by our own qualified staff (we don’t use subcontractors)
- All parts and labour – including licenced Electrician
- Wall controller – either standard or touch screen
- R1.5 Insulated Ducts
- Outlets
- Your chosen features – eg Zoning, WIFI / app control, Temperature Sensors
- After sales service
- Removal – of any old, redundant systems
- Victorian Government Rebate – if applicable
We tailor every quote to your home, but here’s a guide to current prices (including VEU Rebate):
13kw system – from $11,480
- Suitable for standard 3 bedroom homes
- Wall controller + WIFI / app control
- 2 Zones, 8 outlets
18kw system – from $12,315
- Suitable for standard 4 bedroom homes with 2 living areas
- Wall controller + WIFI / app control
- 2 Zones, 10 Outlets
For current package deals, visit our Promotions page>
As part of the Victorian Government Energy Upgrade Scheme (VEU), there are currently Government Rebates for removing your gas heating and replacing it with electric heating, which can save you thousands of dollars on Ducted Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning.
As a full service provider, we supply and install your unit of choice, remove and dispose of your old system, fulfill all rebate conditions and complete required paperwork.
REPLACE YOUR…
- Gas Room Heater, or
- Gas Ducted Heater
WITH A…
- Wall mounted Split System Air Conditioner, or
- Multi-Split System Air Conditioner, or
- Ducted Reverse Cycle Air Conditioner
REBATE AMOUNTS
Rebate amounts vary depending on:
- What type of gas heater you are replacing
- What you are replacing it with
- Size (in KW) of the old and new units
- Your location / postcode
Only certain air conditioners which have met energy efficiency criteria have been approved to participate in the rebate program. We have approved options for all house types and budgets, including models from Fujitsu, Rinnai, Braemar, ActronAir, Daikin and Mitsubishi.
Check if you qualify for the Rebate & get a FREE quote>
The running costs of your Ducted Reverse Cycle Air Conditioner will depend on various factors including:
- Your house size
- Your electricity tariff
- The star rating of your air conditioner
- How often you use it and for how long
- If you have zoning
Check out our Heating & Cooling System Selection guide for current estimated hourly running costs
As the old saying goes, if something is too good to be true, it usually is!
As well as being installers, we are Authorised Warranty Repairers and Zone Contractors for multiple manufactures, so we have seen our share of dodgy installs. Unfortunately dodgy installs are not covered under warranty and the repairs to the home owner can be costly.
To help you determine if the quote you have recieved is right for you, we have put together a checklist –
-
What brands are they offering?
- We only recommend brands we would install in our own homes, based on quality, performance history and value for money – see our section of brands we recommend
Do they have their own staff or use subcontractors?
Have they correctly sized your home?
- To do this, your house floor plans are required or a site inspection
- Be aware some companies undersize systems so their quotes seem cheaper, then the home owner is left with a system which doesn’t efficiently or effectively heat or cool their home.
Are their sales staff qualified trades people?
- This is super important, but unfortunately not all companies hire experience trades people as sales staff
Before installation, will they come around to do a site inspection?
Does your quote include:
- A qualified Electrician to do the electrical work?
- Ductwork? – if you are upgrading from a Gas Ducted Heater, you need to replace your ductwork with ducts which can handle both heating and cooling. Also ensure its good quality, insulated duct or you will loose heating and cooling
- Outlets?
- Zones? – including zone motors. Zoning is a must-have features as it saves on running costs and wear-and-tear on your system – why aircondition your whole house when you only use some rooms at a time?
- Removal of old unit and ductwork?
Will they take care of all Government Rebate requirements
- Including decommissioning the old unit, paperwork and lodgment? (this is a must-have as customers cannot apply for VEECs directly themselves)
Do they offer options?
- Can you choose from different brands? If no, they might be recommending a brand they benefit from, rather the best deal for you
- Do they offer upgrades such as controllers or temperature sensors to enhance your system?
Do they provide after sales service?
- As well as installing systems, we service and repair them. Some companies only install them, and if there are any issues, refer you to the manufacturer, which is frustrating and costly if the fault lies with the installer and not the manufacturer, but the installer is not accepting responsibility.
We hope this guide helps you make an informed decision. If you would like to speak to one on of our qualified tradespeople, give us a call during office hours or email us any time.
We don’t just install ducted air conditioning systems — we also service and repair them. This hands-on experience gives us valuable insight into which units deliver the best performance, reliability and value over time.
We understand our customers rely on us for professional advice, which is why we only recommend systems we would install in our own homes.
Ducted Air Conditioning brands we install are Fujitsu, ActronAir, Braemar, Daikin, Rinnai and Mitsubishi Electric.
All brands have a 5 year warranty, except Rinnai has a 7 year warranty.
What our customers are saying…
Working with Martin Heating & Cooling
At Martin Heating and Cooling, we specialise in ducted air conditioning systems. We don’t just install them – we also service and repair them, so we understand exactly what’s needed for a professional, quality installation.
Our experienced staff follow all installation regulations and manufacturer guidelines, guaranteeing your system is fully compliant and your warranty stays intact.
From quote to install, our aim is to make your experience as easy as possible.
All of our quotes are fully inclusive, covering all parts, labour and any government rebates you’re eligible for. We can also remove any old, redundant systems you have.
Ducted Air Conditioning in Geelong, Ballarat & Melbourne
At Martin Heating & Cooling, we provide expert installation, servicing and repairs of Ducted Air Conditioning systems across Geelong, Ballarat and Melbourne.
Geelong region including Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast, Golden Plains, Lara
Ballarat region including Buninyong, Sebastapol, Wendouree
Western half of Melbourne including Werribee, Point Cook, Tarneit, Williamstown, Essendon, Braybrook, Keilor, Craigieburn, Caroline Springs, Melton, Sunbury
