Every winter we get the same question from homeowners in Brunswick and Preston: should they rip out the old gas ducted system and go split, or stick with ducted and just fix what's broken? There's no single right answer, but the housing stock in these two suburbs a mix of Californian bungalows, Victorian terraces, and 70s/80s brick extensions actually points toward different answers depending on which one you've got.
Why this decision looks different in Brunswick and Preston than in a new estate
New builds get this decision made for them at construction. Older Brunswick and Preston homes usually already have either an ageing ducted gas system fighting to heat rooms it was never properly sized for, or no central heating at all beyond a couple of wall furnaces. That changes the maths completely.
A ducted system in a double-brick Victorian with high ceilings and no insulation in the roof cavity is working overtime and still leaving back bedrooms cold. The same system in a well-insulated 80s extension in Preston performs a lot better because the building itself isn't fighting it.
Ducted heating: still worth it in the right house
Ducted gas or reverse-cycle heating makes sense when:
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You want even heating across most rooms without wall units on every wall
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The roof space has room to run ductwork without a major reno
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You're planning to stay in the property long-term and value the resale appeal of ducted over visible split units
The catch in a lot of Brunswick period homes specifically is duct runs. Weatherboards and single-storey Victorians often have limited roof cavity height, and retrofitting ducted into a home that was never built for it can mean higher install costs than the same job in a Preston brick veneer with more roof space to work with.
Split systems: better fit more often than people expect
Reverse-cycle split systems have gotten a lot more efficient in the last five years, and for a lot of Brunswick terraces where you're realistically heating two or three rooms you actually live in, not the whole footprint a couple of well-placed splits can outperform a struggling old ducted system for less money, both upfront and on the power bill.
They're also the more sensible call when:
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You're renting or planning to sell within a few years
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The roof doesn't have the cavity for ductwork without expensive modification
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You mainly need to heat and cool living areas, not the whole house
The middle ground nobody mentions enough
A lot of Preston homes we work on end up with a hybrid: ducted for the main living zone, with a split system in a converted garage, granny flat, or a bedroom that was always the coldest room in the house regardless of what the ducted system did. It's often the most cost-effective fix rather than replacing an entire ducted system to solve one room's problem.
What it actually costs to run
Reverse-cycle splits generally cost less to run per room than an old ducted gas system, especially one installed pre-2010. If your gas ducted heater is more than 15 years old, the running cost difference alone often justifies replacing it, separate from any comfort complaints.
FAQs
Is it cheaper to run split systems or ducted heating in Melbourne's inner north? For most older Brunswick and Preston homes, reverse-cycle split systems cost less per room to run than an ageing ducted gas system, particularly units installed before 2010. Ducted can still work out cheaper overall if you're consistently heating the whole house.
Can I retrofit ducted heating into an old Victorian terrace? Usually yes, but roof cavity height is the limiting factor. Some Brunswick terraces need bulkheads built to fit ductwork, which adds cost. We check roof access before quoting so there are no surprises.
How many split systems do I need instead of one ducted system? It depends on the layout, but most 3-bedroom homes need 2-3 well-placed units to cover living areas and main bedrooms adequately, rather than one in every room.
Do I need to replace my whole ducted system if only one zone isn't heating properly? Not always. Sometimes it's a duct leak, a damper issue, or the system was undersized for that zone from the start. Worth getting it assessed before assuming a full replacement is needed.
How long does a split system install take? A standard single-zone install is usually a one-day job. Multi-head systems or anything needing new electrical circuits can run into a second day.
Not sure which way to go?
Apex Trade Services quotes both options honestly, including telling you when ducted isn't worth the retrofit cost for your particular roof. Give us a call on 1300 102 158 and we'll come take a look at what you're actually working with in Brunswick or Preston before recommending anything.