Central Heating Ducted Heat Pump Systems
Ducted heat pumps are the most popular choice for whole home heating.
Ducted heat pumps are a great way of heating and cooling an entire home without visible units mounted on your wall. The system is installed in the roof space, with ceiling vents supplying warm/cool air to each room. The system is managed by either a wall controller or via an app for Wi-Fi-enabled systems.
A ducted heat pump system can range from $10k – $50k mainly depending on the size of the home, the larger the space the more it will cost.
When considering a ducted heat pump in your home, we suggest you focus on Design, Specification, Controls and Install.
Firstly talk with a professional about what design is best for your property, you need to confirm your house has the necessary space (ceiling cavity) to install a ducted system. Secondly, you want to make sure the correct unit is specified, and ensure the company is calculating the correct air volumes as this is critical to ensure the system works both effectively and efficiently. An incorrectly sized unit can cause problems, such as noise issues or not been able to heat/cool the space as intended – this will not only cause discomfort but cost more to run. Our recommendation is to go with a reputable/well-known brand, they manufacture backed warranties and have local support if things were to ever to go wrong. Next, you need to make a decision on how you will control the system. Heat pumps are very efficient but if you don’t have control and heat space unnecessarily (a spare room that is rarely used), it will not be efficient. Control can be done in many ways, both in design and with technology. This is often the most neglected step in the process and can cause frustration down the track. Finally, install, you want to make sure the install team is qualified, thorough and professional – don’t be shy, ask if they have a recent customer you can talk to.
Zone Control is an additional feature that can be added to a ducted system. Zone Control allows the user to control each room/zone independently. The main benefit of Zone Control is reducing the need to heat/cool unused areas, the most simple setting would be to not heat/cool the bedrooms during the day. Zone Control works by adjusting the air volume being directed into each room. Each duct has motorised dampeners opening and closing, much like a tap turning on and off a hose. The user can control the system on the main panel or using your phone/ WiFi.
Installation can vary drastically depending on the design and construction of individual properties. The most common installation uses the ceiling space to house the unit and ducting, with vents penetrating the ceiling. If it’s a new build or part of a wider renovation project more customised solutions can be considered, this may include bulkheads or wall grilles integrated into cabinetry.
Heat Recovery Ventilation is an optional add-on to ducted heat pump systems. As the name suggests this technology recovers heat while providing fresh ventilated air into the house. Combining an energy-efficient heat pump with a ventilation system will deliver a comfortable and healthy home. The most popular product on the market is the Mitsubishi Lossnay System, this patented heat recovery ventilation solution uses fresh air (not attic air) to ventilate your home. The system works by extracting stale air from inside your house to remove damp, odours, dust, bacteria and gasses. This air is then replaced with allergen reduced fresh air from outside (unlike some systems that recycle it from the dust-filled attic).
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