Add On Cooling for Gas Ducted Heating in Melbourne
Enhance your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system with add-on cooling, an ideal upgrade for homes with ducted gas heating. As climate demands shift throughout the year, incorporating ducted air conditioning ensures year-round comfort—using the same ductwork your heating system already has. This seamless integration is an innovative approach to achieving balanced temperature control in your home, regardless of the season.
What is Add-On Cooling?
An add-on cooling system works with your existing gas ducted heater, using the same ducts to provide cool air as it does for heated air. As the name suggests, it combines cooling with your heating system to function like an air conditioning system that integrates with your gas heater.
Key features include:
- A cooling coil installed in the ducts.
- Advanced compressor for efficient cooling.
- A condenser to remove heat.
- Refrigerant running through copper tubing for better efficiency.
With this setup, one thermostat controls both the heating and cooling system, making it easy to manage your home’s temperature.
How Does Add-On Cooling Work?
Whether using a Brivis, Braemar, or another ducted heating system, an add-on cooler circulates cool air via the same ducts that distribute heat in winter. The system works by introducing cooled air generated through a heat pump and refrigeration cycle:
- Warm air removal: Air is drawn in, passing through a copper tubing coil filled with a refrigerant.
2. Condensation: Heat and moisture are extracted to decrease humidity within your home.
3. Airflow delivery: The processed, cooler air is pushed through ducts to your desired living spaces, maintaining balanced airflow and comfort.
This mechanism parallels modern air conditioning but operates at peak efficiency when paired with your existing gas central heating.
Is Add-On Cooling Right for Your Current Ducted Heater?
Before deciding to add-on cooling with gas ducted heating, consider the following:
- Age: Older gas systems may not be compatible. Systems older than 10–15 years may lack the infrastructure or functionality to support refrigerated cooling.
- Older systems often use ducts, grilles, and insulation designed exclusively for heating, which may not effectively handle the airflow and cooling demands of refrigerated add-on systems.
- Aging ductwork, blower motors, or heaters may require repairs or upgrades to operate smoothly in cooling mode.
- Most cooling solutions are brand specific. For example, Brivis ICE™ add-on cooling is designed for Brivis StarPro heaters, while Braemar Invertair™ add-on cooling is only compatible with Braemar Ecostar models.
- Cooling systems require larger, well-insulated ducts compared to heating systems. If your existing ductwork is undersized or poorly insulated, it may lead to restricted airflow, energy inefficiency, or uneven cooling.
- Existing duct layouts designed for heating might need reconfiguration to handle cooling. This includes adding return air vents or upgrading supply outlets to avoid inconsistent airflow or temperature imbalances.
- Old or damaged duct systems may have leaks or weaknesses that need repair before adding cooling. Leaky ducts reduce efficiency and increase energy costs.
- Cooling systems place additional demand on the blower motor, which circulates air throughout the ductwork. An undersized motor might struggle to push the cooler, denser air through the system, leading to decreased performance and higher wear and tear.
- Adding cooling may require additional electrical wiring or connections to accommodate a new outdoor condenser or compressor.
- Adding an older and less efficient cooling system to an existing heater might create unnecessarily high running costs. Consider modern cooling units with Energy Star ratings, inverter technology, and environmentally friendly R410A refrigerant for lower power consumption and reduced environmental impact.
Does this seem like a long list? We understand it can be overwhelming. Complete your details on the contact form, and we’ll arrange an onsite quote. We will evaluate the condition of your ductwork, heating unit, and blower motor and calculate load capacities to ensure the system can handle the increased operational demands.
Installing Add-On Cooling vs Upgrading to a New System
If your existing gas ducted heating system is too old, inefficient, or incompatible with modern add-on cooling, installing a new one may be more cost-effective in the long run.
In some cases, upgrading to ducted reverse cycle air conditioning may also be worth considering, as it provides heating and cooling in one unit while offering high energy efficiency, especially when combined with solar panels.
With the current VEU upgrades, Melbourne homeowners can save thousands by replacing it with electric.
Add-On Cooling Options for Your Gas Heater
Most leading brands of gas ducted heating units have cooling options that can be installed. Here are some options to consider:
Bonaire Add On Cooling
The Optima Dual Cycle System offers integrated heating and cooling with advanced features like Navigator controllers (wired or wireless), zoned comfort for up to 8 zones, environmentally friendly R410A refrigerant, and compact design. Capacities range from 12kW to 19.6kW, ensuring a solution for every home.
Brivis Add On Cooling
The Brivis DualComfort™ ICE System combines high-efficiency gas heating with refrigerated cooling, controlled via a single Networker controller. Flexible installation options, ZonePlus™, and the option to add cooling later make it the ultimate comfort solution for Australian homes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Heating and Cooling
Upgrade Your Ducted Heating With Add-On Cooling Today
Combining heating and cooling into one efficient system can optimise your home’s climate control, energy usage, and indoor comfort. Trust the expertise of ExtrordinAir, Melbourne’s leading heating and air conditioning provider, to recommend and install the best solution for your home. Contact us today to learn more about add-on cooling with ducted gas heating systems.
Contact us today to request a free quote. Our team is dedicated to providing great service at a price you can afford.
Client Reviews
