Gas Vs Electric Reverse Cycle Heating & Cooling – Advice for New Build with Solar

Poormansmeal on 08/11/2025 - 21:56

Hi all,

We’re currently finalising our new home build and trying to choose between gas ducted heating or going fully electric with reverse cycle split systems for heating and cooling.

We’re planning to install solar panels (around 10 -13 kW) to help offset electricity costs. I’ve heard electric reverse cycle systems are very efficient now, but I’m not sure how they compare to gas in terms of comfort, reliability, and long-term cost — especially with solar involved.

Would appreciate any real-life experiences or advice on what’s most cost-effective and future-proof.

Home & Garden Solar Energy System

Comments

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  • bargaino on 08/11/2025 - 22:10
    +20

    Gas heating in 2025 in Australia? That would be crazy even without solar panels.

    In the past, gas was the way to go in Victoria, but gas prices have risen, with split systems have become much cheaper, quieter and more efficient. I don't think you will find anyone advocating gas heating now.

    One question with electric is multiple splits, vs ducted central.
    In a home, multiple independent splits win on almost every metric.

    Gas furnaces with water pipes still have a place in very cold climates.

    • gwong on 09/11/2025 - 08:38

      This. Plus get a big battery and it is basically free most of the year.

      Ducted also can be nice because you only have one spot for the external unit and just vents in the ceiling rather than split system units.

  • omguleh on 08/11/2025 - 22:19
    +4

    Go with reverse cycle. Gas is now too expensive to run heating the house 24/7.

    I’m building now and going with a 8 head VRF system from Mitsubishi Electric.

    • jv on 09/11/2025 - 00:58
      -2

      Gas is now too expensive to run heating the house 24/7.

      It doesn't run 24/7, it uses are thermostat…

      • JIMB0 on 09/11/2025 - 15:37

        That just adds to the inefficiency. Most of the energy that went into starting the process is lost when it's turned off.

      • omguleh on 09/11/2025 - 20:05

        Still costing us more than electricity.

  • JIMB0 on 09/11/2025 - 00:19

    Reverse cycle is so cheap to run that you can just leave it on 24/7 for less cost than running gas only when you're home. This is far more comfortable as well because it takes a long time to heat the house through and everything you touch is cold, plus you radiate heat to all these cold surfaces.

  • jv on 09/11/2025 - 00:56
    +3

    We’re currently finalising our new home build and trying to choose between gas ducted heating

    You can't install gas ducted heating in a new build in Victoria. Can you?

    • JIMB0 on 09/11/2025 - 08:38
      +3

      People kept choosing the dumb option, so the government had to ban it for their own good.

    • omguleh on 09/11/2025 - 20:08

      Ban only applies if you need a planning permit for the build.

  • Far Cough on 09/11/2025 - 05:17
    -1

    TIL
    We use gas to cool

  • Poormansmeal on 09/11/2025 - 09:34

    I am new to Australia , moved from UK where we have the boiler radiator system . Just learning in fact .

    • AustriaBargain on 09/11/2025 - 09:45

      You can install it here, would probably cost more though. Raditor is nice though, silent heat in every room.

    • mskeggs on 09/11/2025 - 10:30
      +2

      The boiler radiator system is much better for heating in terms of comfort, but costly.
      If winter comfort is a priority over cost, get a quote for electric heat pump boiler and radiators, but brace yourself (also, under-slab electric).
      In terms of running costs, reverse cycle pencils out about half the cost of ducted air gas, and you also get cooling in summer for no extra outlay.

      I also strongly support multiple split systems over a whole house system, if it irks for your setup.

    • CheapandUsed on 09/11/2025 - 10:39
      +1

      Heat pump hydronic heating is becoming more available here which is basically the same thing just using a heat pump to heat the water for next to nothing

  • Brucet on 09/11/2025 - 10:40

    gas ducted heating will cost you a fortune.

    • jv on 09/11/2025 - 22:40

      Only because of government policies.

  • Euphemistic on 09/11/2025 - 16:44

    Consider under floor heating too for a new build. Havent used it, cant comment on efficency etc, but it seems worth investigating.

    • bargaino on 09/11/2025 - 22:33

      For bare feet on concrete floors, i assume? Wouldn't make sense with timber or carpet, would it?

      • Euphemistic on 10/11/2025 - 11:30

        I havent researched how well it works yet, but id imagine consiatent heat rising from the floor shoukd be quite effective at heating a home. Not aure about timber floors, or upper levels of a house either.

        For a concrete slab it would seem to be an efficient way to use solar. Heat it well during the day, and it becones a huge heat source overnight.

        Quite different to heating the air directly. I dont enjoy AC heating because you dont get the immediate radiant effect of a gas or electric heater. It also doesnt heat surfaces as effectively.

        • bargaino on 10/11/2025 - 12:30

          Ah yes, concrete thermal mass plus cheap/free solar power makes sense.

          • Euphemistic on 10/11/2025 - 12:59

            @bargaino: Thermal mass! Thats the phrase i was looking for!

            AC strikes me as not providing much residual heat once switched off unless insulation is very good.

            But to be perfectly clear, i have not done any investigation into under floor heating, just seen it a few times on Grand Designs etc.

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