If you are researching ducted heating for your home, one of the first questions that comes up is a simple one: is ducted heating gas or electric?
The answer is both. Ducted heating can run on natural gas or electricity, depending on the system type, and the difference matters when it comes to upfront cost, running cost, and what the system can do for your home year-round. This guide explains how each system works, compares gas ducted heating vs electric ducted heating across the key factors, and helps you work out which option suits your home, your budget, and your climate.
What Is Ducted Heating and How Does It Work?
Ducted heating is a central home heating system that delivers warm air through a network of ducts and vents installed in the ceiling or under the floor. A single central unit generates heat, and a fan distributes it evenly throughout the home via outlets in each room.
The energy source powering that central unit determines whether you have a gas or electric ducted system. Both use the same duct-and-vent delivery method. The difference lies in how the heat is generated. Some systems are heating-only, while others provide ducted heating and cooling from a single unit, meaning no separate cooling system is required.
| For a closer look at available systems, explore Tempco’s ducted gas heating. |
Does Ducted Heating Use Gas or Electricity?
Both types of ducted heating are widely used in Australian homes. Here is what each one involves:
- Gas ducted heating: burns natural gas or LPG via a burner and heat exchanger to warm the air, then distributes it through ducts.
- Electric ducted heating: uses heat pump technology to extract warmth from the outdoor air and transfer it inside, with no combustion required.
The ducts, vents, and distribution method are the same in both cases. What changes is the energy source and the way heat is produced. It is also worth noting that unflued gas heaters are a separate category entirely and should not be confused with a ducted gas heating system.
Gas Ducted Heating Explained
Gas ducted heating runs on natural gas piped from the mains, or LPG on properties without a gas connection. A burner heats the air inside the unit, and a fan pushes it through the duct network. It is a reliable, fast-heating system that has been a popular choice in Australian homes for decades, with well-known brands such as Brivis widely available.
| 🔥 Heat-Up Speed Very Fast | ☔ Gas Required Mains or LPG | ☃️ Cold Climate Excellent | ❄ Cooling Add-on Only |
Pros and Cons at a Glance
| ✔ Pros | ✖ Cons |
| ✓ Fast heat-up times, even in very cold weather | ✗ Heating only by default, cooling is a separate add-on |
| ✓ Consistent heating across multiple rooms and zones | ✗ Requires a natural gas connection or LPG supply |
| ✓ Well-suited to colder climates like the Southern Highlands | ✗ Direct combustion emissions produced on-site |
| ✓ Trusted technology with a wide brand range (e.g. Brivis) | ✗ Gas prices have been rising across Australia |
| ✓ Add-on cooling available using existing ducts | ✗ Cannot provide heating and cooling in a single unit |
| For a closer look at available systems, explore Tempco’s ducted gas heating with add-on cooling. |
Electric Ducted Heating Explained
Electric ducted heating typically refers to a ducted reverse cycle system. Rather than burning fuel, it uses heat pump technology to extract heat from the outdoor air and transfer it inside, even in cold conditions. The same system reverses in summer to provide cooling, making it an all-in-one heating and cooling solution.
| ⚡ Efficiency (COP) 3 to 5 | ☀️ Heating + Cooling One System | 🌱 Emissions Zero On-Site | 🔌 Gas Required None |
| View Tempco’s ducted reverse cycle systems. |
Pros and Cons at a Glance
| ✔ Pros | ✖ Cons |
| ✓ Heating and cooling in a single system, year-round comfort | ✗ Can have a higher upfront cost than gas-only systems |
| ✓ No gas connection required, ideal for new builds | ✗ Efficiency can reduce in extreme cold (cold-climate models exist) |
| ✓ High energy efficiency with a COP of 3 to 5 | ✗ Running costs depend on local electricity tariffs |
| ✓ No direct combustion emissions on-site | ✗ May require electrical upgrades during installation |
| ✓ Future-proof as the electricity grid gets cleaner | ✗ Less effective as a standalone heater in very old, drafty homes |
Gas vs Electric Heating: Running Costs and Energy Efficiency
Running costs are one of the most common questions in the gas vs electric heating conversation. The answer depends on your energy tariffs, home size, insulation quality, and local climate, so there is no single definitive number.
| ⚡Efficiency at a Glance Gas ducted heating systems typically operate at 80 to 95% efficiency, converting most of the gas burned into usable heat. Ducted reverse cycle systems achieve a COP of 3 to 5, producing 3 to 5 units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed. On efficiency alone, electric heat pump systems have a clear advantage. The final running cost also depends on the relative price of gas and electricity in your area. |
Historically, gas has been cheaper per unit of energy in many parts of Australia. However, gas prices have risen steadily, and electricity tariffs vary by provider and usage pattern.
For more on ducted gas heating, the Ducted Gas Heating Cost explains installation prices, running expenses, and the key factors that affect how much you’ll pay overall.
Can You Convert Gas Ducted Heating to Electric?
Yes. Replacing gas ducted heating with an electric reverse cycle system is achievable in many homes, and existing ducts can often be reused, which reduces the overall installation cost. It is one of the more practical upgrade paths for homeowners who already have a duct network in place.
Common reasons homeowners choose to convert gas ducted heating to electric include:
- Rising gas prices making electricity a more competitive heating option
- Wanting to combine heating and cooling into a single system
- Reducing household greenhouse gas emissions
- Moving to a property without access to natural gas mains
A professional assessment is the essential first step, as duct sizing, condition, and airflow requirements may need to be reviewed before a new system is selected. Tempco FRH Energy Solutions provides ducted gas heating services across regional Australia.
Which Ducted Heating System Is Right for Your Home?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Brivis ducted heating or the best ducted heating system depends on your existing infrastructure, your budget, and how you use your home throughout the year. This quick guide can help point you in the right direction:
- You have an existing gas connection and want fast, reliable heating: gas ducted heating is a proven and cost-effective option.
- You want heating and cooling in one system: ducted reverse cycle air conditioning removes the need for separate systems.
- You are in a new build or a home without gas mains: an electric ducted system removes the need for a gas connection entirely.
- You want to reduce emissions and future-proof your home: electric heat pump technology is the better long-term fit.
For more on gas ducted systems, the Ducted Gas Systems Guide covers what to consider before buying.
Tempco FRH Energy supplies and installs both gas ducted heating systems and electric ducted systems across Bowral, Mittagong, Goulburn, and the broader Southern Highlands. The right system depends on your property, and the team can help you work through the options.
Quick Summary: Gas Ducted Heating vs Electric Ducted Heating
Use this table as a quick reference when comparing your options:
| Feature | Gas Ducted Heating | Electric Ducted Heating |
|---|---|---|
| Energy source | Natural gas or LPG | Electricity (heat pump) |
| Heating and cooling | Heating only (add-on cooling opt.) | Both in one system |
| Running cost | Lower per unit (gas prices vary) | High efficiency (COP 3 to 5) |
| Emissions | Direct combustion on-site | No on-site combustion |
| Gas connection | Required | Not required |
| Best suited to | Existing gas homes, cold climates | New builds, all-in-one comfort |
| 📞 Talk to a Local Heating Expert Whether you are installing a new system, replacing an older unit, or converting from gas to electric, the team at Tempco can help. We supply and install gas ducted heating and electric ducted reverse cycle systems across Bowral, Mittagong, Goulburn, and the surrounding Southern Highlands. Call us on 02 4862 5595 or email to arrange a free quote. |