Benefits of replacing your gas heater with a heat pump (reverse cycle air conditioner)

According to a recently published article by CarboBrief, experts see heat pumps as one of the main solutions for tackling carbon emissions and lowering energy costs.  As technology advances, Australians have started opting for green heating and cooling solutions in the home. By taking more active steps towards improving sustainability, there has been a rise in the number of households changing over from traditional ducted heating to heat pumps (reverse cycle air conditioner), which has seen a reduction in energy costs and more efficient heating.   

Reduced utility costs

Is gas heating cheaper than reverse cycle heating? The short answer is no – not anymore. With gas prices rising steadily over the past few years, reverse cycle heating is now officially cheaper and more sustainable than gas heating. Furthermore, Australians with plans to incorporate solar energy can potentially heat or cool their homes during the day for close to nothing (free).

According to the Melbourne Energy Institute, approximately one million Australians could save hundreds of dollars every year by opting for more energy-efficient heating, such as air source heat pumps otherwise known as reverse cycle systems. This is because the pumps produce heat by using electricity and a number of coils filled with refrigerant, rather than by burning costly fossil fuel. 

This energy-efficient way of heating a home helps to minimise utility costs and can save homeowners money immediately.

Highly-efficient climate control

Reverse cycle systems are more efficient than other types of heating as they are able to convert 1 unit of electricity into 3 or 4 units of heating. In addition to being a highly effective heating system, reverse cycle air conditioners also provide a cooling solution for the home. This means that in summer, the heat is extracted from within the home and sent outside through the outdoor unit. In contrast, in the colder months, the heat pump will reverse its direction of flow and will circulate warm air inside the home, efficiently creating a comfortable indoor climate. 

In addition to being able to be used in both summer and winter, heat pumps require less ongoing maintenance than gas heaters, making them more efficient and cost-effective to run. Homeowners with gas heaters also have to remember the serious risk of carbon monoxide leaks, which means the heater needs to be constantly monitored for any potentially-lethal gas leaks. In contrast, heat pumps don’t release carbon monoxide and their annual servicing does not require safety checks as recommended by Energy Safe Victoria.

Sustainable heating and cooling

As well as being highly efficient and cost-effective, heat pumps are also more sustainable than gas heaters. This is because gas heaters rely on burning natural gas to create a warm climate within the home, which can only be manufactured and distributed in a way that has a negative impact on the environment. Heat pumps don’t rely on these petroleum byproducts to create an optimal climate, thereby placing a lower demand on the natural resources of our planet.

Contact Ideal Air today

As ducted heating changeover specialists, the professional team at Ideal Air is here to help you transition to highly-efficient heat pumps (reverse cycle air conditioner).

At Ideal Air, our technicians are trained to replace gas heaters with reverse cycle systems, helping to save homeowners on costs in the long term and contribute to a more sustainable future. 

To make a positive change towards your finances and the planet, opt for heat pumps (reverse cycle systems) over gas heating. To find out more, get in touch with the Ideal Air team today on (03) 8582 3031 or fill out our online contact form.