Ducted reverse cycle heating and cooling

What it is

A ducted reverse cycle system is one outdoor unit and one indoor unit tucked in the roof or under the floor, feeding small vents in each room. It heats in winter and cools in summer from the same system, and it runs on electricity, so there's no gas bill. With zoning you can split the house up and only heat or cool the rooms you're actually in. We recommend smart zoning with individual temperature control (ITC), like the MyAir system from our partners at Advantage Air, so each room sits at its own temperature for maximum comfort and efficiency.

How MyAir zoning works, from Advantage Air.

How we size it

Most of the problems we get called out to fix come from a system that was the wrong size or had the ducts run badly. We come out, look at the house properly (roof space, insulation, which way the windows face, how many rooms you actually use) and size the system to suit. Sometimes that means telling you a smaller system will do the job. A few of our reviews mention exactly that. Put simply: we can often put in a smaller system, and with the right zoning technology your house will feel more comfortable all year round.

The install

We run new insulated ductwork, set up the zones, put the outdoor unit somewhere that won't drive you or the neighbours mad, and tidy the pipework and cabling so it looks like it belongs there. Before we leave we walk you through the controller and the app. If something needs adjusting once you've lived with it for a few weeks, we come back and fine-tune it.

Designed around the house

In a well-finished home the system should all but disappear. We plan grille and vent positions with you (and your builder, architect or joiner if you have one): linear slot diffusers in the ceiling, return-air grilles built into joinery, controllers placed where they make sense, and the outdoor unit somewhere it won't be seen or heard.

Brands

We install Daikin, Fujitsu, ActronAir, Hisense, Panasonic and other leading brands, and we'll tell you honestly which one we'd put in our own house for your situation.

Where we work

Our HQ is in Croydon, in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, and we service all areas within 100 km of Melbourne, including the Mornington Peninsula. That includes Melbourne CBD, Kew, Hawthorn, Camberwell, Balwyn, Toorak, Brighton, Croydon, Ringwood.

Other services

Questions people ask

How much does ducted reverse cycle cost?

It depends on the size of the house, how many zones you want and what's already in the roof. A typical family home is a significant investment, which is why we come out and quote properly rather than guess over the phone. The quote is free and there's no obligation.

Can you reuse my old gas heating ducts?

Sometimes. Older gas ducting is often undersized or in poor condition for cooling, and floor vents don't suit cooling well. We'll check it and tell you straight whether it's worth keeping.

Is it cheaper to run than gas?

For most homes we work on, a modern inverter reverse cycle system costs less to run than an old gas ducted heater, especially if you have solar. We can talk you through it for your house.

What customers say

Read them on Google

I called Shane to enquire about installing new air conditioning systems, and he took the time to have a really thorough conversation with me about what I actually needed. In the end, he honestly recommended a much cheaper option, even though it meant he would lose business. … It’s rare to come across that level of honesty and integrity.

Mel P.Honest advice

Shane & his team did an incredible job replacing our old evaporative cooling and gas ducted heating with a far more efficient reverse cycle system - we love our new setup, especially the zoning. Installation, clean up and education around the new system were all done brilliantly.

Steven & Anita K.Gas to reverse cycle

Shane and Jordyn at FHAC were superstars. Easy to work with, fair quote, good recommendations and quick service. … Even came back 3 weeks after the install to improve something they weren't completely happy with. They take pride in their work and the experience shines through.

Clinton H.Split system install

Most professional tradies I've ever come across. Highly skilled and meticulous with their work. They took on a job that others said was too hard or wanted to charge twice as much. They replaced a multisystem in a 4 level townhouse.

Anna P.The hard jobs

Only in summertime and only on a 40+ degree day does you a/c decide to ark up! Ours did. So we contacted Forest Hill A/C. Shane was able to get Jordan out to fix our issue which was done in a prompt and efficient manner. And Jordan is a top bloke too.

Robert R.Summer breakdown

They replaced a 30+ year-old air-conditioning system and a 30+ year-old gas heater with a high-efficiency Fujitsu inverter system installed on the roof. The quality of workmanship was outstanding — clean, professional, and clearly done to a high standard.

GrenX G.Full replacement