H/01 · Ducted gas heating · Melbourne
Whole-of-home warmth, honestly specified.
Fast, even, whole-of-home warmth for the Melbourne winters that demand it. Ducted gas heating specified and installed for considered homes from the Mornington Peninsula through bayside to the north-east — honestly recommended only where it’s still the right answer.
Brivis · Braemar · Bonaire · Rinnai5-year warranty6-star installs
Project — Brighton replacement, 2025
Like-for-like replacement of an end-of-life 4-star ducted gas system with a 6-star Brivis StarPro Max. Existing ductwork inspected and retained where sound, new outlets matched to the home.
Ducted gas heating, in short
One gas-fired unit. Every room warm in minutes.
- →Gas-fired unit · indoor or outdoor placement
- →Insulated ducts · ceiling or floor vents
- →Wall thermostat · zoned, scheduled, app-enabled
What is ducted gas heating?
One gas-fired unit, every room warm in minutes.
Ducted gas heating warms outdoor or return air through a gas-fired heat exchanger, then pushes the heated air through insulated ducts in the ceiling or floor and out into every room via discreet vents. A single indoor or outdoor unit serves the entire home, controlled by a wall thermostat or app.
Gas ducted heating has been the standard heating choice for Melbourne homes for decades, for good reason: it delivers fast warm-up times, even temperature across large homes, dry comfortable heat, and lower running costs per unit of heat than older electric resistance heating.
For homes with established gas connections and well-designed ductwork, a modern high-efficiency gas system remains a strong specification — provided the regulations allow it.
If you’re weighing options, see our ducted refrigerated air conditioning page — modern inverter reverse-cycle systems are increasingly the alternative for both new builds and replacements.
When ducted gas heating is the right choice
Not the default for every home — but for the right home, still the right answer.
Ducted gas is no longer specified by default in Victoria. For existing homes with established gas connections, sound ductwork, and the right brief, it remains a strong premium specification. Here’s when we recommend it.
01
Existing gas connections
Toorak, Brighton, Hawthorn, Kew, Camberwell, and established Peninsula homes where gas service is already in place and gas-fired warmth is the owner’s preference.
02
Replacing an ageing system
End-of-life 3- or 4-star units replaced with modern 6-star equivalents — meaningfully lower running costs and quieter, more even heat.
03
Larger family homes
Where rapid whole-of-home warm-up matters on cold Melbourne mornings — gas heats faster than reverse-cycle on the coldest days.
04
Period and heritage homes
Inner-east homes where existing ductwork is sound and a like-for-like replacement is the cleanest path forward.
05
Combined gas + refrigerated cooling
Homes pairing gas heating with refrigerated cooling on shared ductwork — a long-standing Melbourne configuration that still works well.
Not the right answer for every home. Under current Victorian regulations, new homes requiring a planning permit cannot have new gas connections (since 1 January 2024), and from 1 January 2027 all new residential buildings must be all-electric. Replacement in existing owner-occupied homes remains permitted. The consultation is where we work out what’s allowed and what’s sensible for your home — honestly.
Zone control
A well-zoned system warms only what you’re using.
Zoning lets you warm only the spaces you’re using rather than heating the home end-to-end, which materially reduces gas consumption over a Melbourne winter. We commonly install:
Premium touchscreen
Brivis Networker
Up to eight zones, scheduling, and app control. Tight integration with the Brivis StarPro Max and Buffalo ranges.
Touchscreen models
Braemar zone controllers
Including the newer touchscreen models compatible with the TG and TQM ranges — clean control for Braemar systems.
Bonaire-branded
Bonaire controllers
Solid zoning and scheduling for Bonaire-branded systems — familiar interface, dependable operation.
Retrofit option
Common-zone retrofit
For older homes where adding zoning to an existing system makes sense without committing to a full replacement.
For homes that already have refrigerated ducted cooling, we can coordinate zoning between the two systems so a single controller manages the home year-round.
Star ratings & modern efficiency
Today’s gas isn’t yesterday’s gas. Six stars, modulating, smart-controlled.
The Australian gas heater energy rating runs from 1 to 7 stars. Until the late 2000s, most Melbourne homes were fitted with 3- or 4-star systems. Modern premium units now run at 6 stars — the practical maximum for ducted gas — delivering 90%+ thermal efficiency.
A 6-star upgrade from an older 3- or 4-star unit typically cuts gas consumption by 30–40% for the same comfort. Modern systems also include modulating burners that ramp output to match demand, variable-speed fans for quieter operation, app and smart controller integration, and improved heat exchangers with longer service life. If your system is more than 12–15 years old, the efficiency gain alone justifies the upgrade.
6
Star rating
Practical maximum for ducted gas — 90%+ thermal efficiency.
30–40%
Gas saved
Upgrading 3-/4-star to 6-star cuts winter gas consumption.
5
Year warranty
Standard on premium ducted gas units — extended cover available.
Brands we install
Premium gas heating from manufacturers we trust.
Smart Climate installs premium ducted gas heating systems from manufacturers we trust to perform long-term and stay supported through their warranty life. The right unit depends on home size, existing ductwork, controller and zoning needs, and whether you’re integrating cooling on the same ducts.
JP · StarPro Max & Buffalo
Brivis
The standard for premium ducted gas in Victorian homes — StarPro Max and Buffalo ranges, with the Networker controller.
JP · TG & TQM premium
Braemar
Built by Seeley International in Australia — the TG and TQM premium ducted ranges with strong local service support.
JP · Mid-to-premium
Bonaire
Solid mid-to-premium ranges from Seeley International — well-supported across Melbourne.
JP · Energysaver ducted
Rinnai
Premium controls and the Energysaver ducted ranges — tight engineering, reliable through the seasons.
We don’t push a single brand on every job. The right unit depends on home size, existing ductwork, controller and zoning needs, and whether you’re integrating cooling on the same ducts. That’s a specification call.
How we install ducted gas heating
Premium installation isn’t about the unit alone — it’s the work around it.
Premium installation isn’t about the unit alone — it’s about the gas connection, the duct design, the outlet selection, and the safety of every step. Here’s how a Smart Climate gas install actually runs.
i.
Site visit & specification
We measure the home, check the existing gas service capacity, assess the ductwork (if present), and size the unit correctly. Oversizing wastes gas and creates short-cycling; undersizing leaves cold rooms.
ii.
Gas connection
All gas work is carried out by licensed gasfitters with full compliance certification. Existing services are pressure-tested; new connections are installed to current standards.
iii.
Duct design or reuse
Existing ducts are inspected for size, insulation and condition. Sound ductwork can typically be reused with a new unit, which saves time and cost. Damaged or undersized ducts are replaced honestly.
iv.
Outlet selection
Standard floor or ceiling vents, slimline diffusers, or architecturally specified outlets — chosen to match the home.
v.
Outdoor unit placement
Considered for airflow, drainage, neighbour acoustics, and how it reads from gardens and outdoor living areas.
vi.
Clean handover
Site cleaned. Controller and app paired. You’re walked through how to run the system properly — including the zoning logic — not handed a manual.
Compare options
Weighing alternatives? Start here.
A/02
Ducted refrigerated air conditioning
Inverter reverse-cycle ducted — the all-electric alternative for new builds and the modern replacement option for existing homes.
Explore service →
H/02
Central heating
Hydronic and other central-heating approaches — for homes where radiant warmth or in-slab heating fits the brief.
Explore service →
T/01
Find your system
A short guided tool that asks about your home and how you live in it, then suggests the right system — split, ducted refrigerated, or ducted gas. Two minutes, no commitment.
Open the tool →→
Ducted gas heating installation · Melbourne
From the Peninsula to the north-east.
We install ducted gas heating across premium Melbourne suburbs. If you’re not sure whether we cover your area, give us a call — we usually do.
Mornington Peninsula
Mt Eliza · Mornington · Mt Martha · Portsea · Sorrento · Flinders
Bayside
Brighton · Hampton · Sandringham · Beaumaris
Inner East
Toorak · South Yarra · Armadale · Hawthorn · Kew · Malvern
North-East
Balwyn · Canterbury · Doncaster · Templestowe · Eaglemont
Ducted gas heating FAQs
Questions we hear, answered honestly.
If your question isn’t here, call us on 1800 577 522 — we’d rather have a five-minute conversation than send you a brochure.
Can I still install ducted gas heating in Victoria?
Yes, in most existing owner-occupied homes with established gas connections. New homes requiring a planning permit cannot have new gas connections (since 1 January 2024), and from 1 January 2027 all new residential buildings must be all-electric. For new builds, ducted refrigerated reverse-cycle is the right answer.
Should I replace my old gas heater with gas or switch to electric reverse-cycle?
Both are valid answers, depending on the home. Gas delivers faster warm-up and stronger output on the coldest mornings. Modern inverter reverse-cycle systems are efficient, deliver cooling as well as heating, and align with Victoria’s long-term policy direction. The consultation is where we work it out properly — not a sales call.
Can I reuse my existing ductwork with a new gas heater?
Often, yes. Existing ducts are inspected for size, condition, insulation, and compatibility with the new unit’s airflow. Sound ducts can be reused; damaged or undersized ducts are replaced. We’ll tell you honestly at the site visit.
What star rating should I choose?
6 stars for any premium replacement — the practical maximum for ducted gas, with the best long-term running costs. Lower-star units have a lower upfront cost but cost more in gas over their service life.
How quiet is a modern ducted gas heater?
Premium modulating units with variable-speed fans run substantially quieter than older fixed-speed systems. Indoor placement (garage, roof cavity, under-house) and acoustic isolation make a noticeable difference.
Can I add refrigerated cooling to my ducted gas system?
Yes — most modern installations are designed to share ductwork between ducted gas heating and ducted refrigerated cooling, with a single controller managing both. We commonly install combined systems.
Will my existing ducts handle both gas heating and refrigerated cooling?
Cooling typically needs larger duct sizing than heating alone, so existing heating-only ducts sometimes need upgrades to handle a combined system. We’ll assess at the site visit.
How long does installation take?
A like-for-like replacement using existing ducts typically runs one to two days. A full new install with new ductwork runs three to five days depending on home size and complexity.
What’s the warranty?
Five years on most premium ducted gas units, with extended manufacturer coverage available on selected ranges. Our installation work is covered separately. Annual servicing is recommended for safety and to maintain warranty conditions.
Project — Hawthorn replacement, 2025
End-of-life 4-star ducted gas replaced with a modern 6-star Braemar TG, existing duct runs retained where sound, new outlets matched to the heritage interior. Real project photography to follow.
Talk to Smart Climate
If you know what you want, we’ll quote it. If you’re working it out, we’ll help you get there.
If your existing ducted gas system is at end of life and you want a clean, premium replacement, we’ll quote it. If you’re weighing gas against electric, we’ll give you an honest answer — including when gas isn’t the right call.
Or pick up the phone:☎ 1800 577 522