5 Signs Your Ducted Heating System Needs Replacing

A gas ducted heater that has been looked after can last 15 to 20 years. Once it gets past that, repairs start adding up and running costs creep higher every winter. Most Bendigo homes we visit show the same handful of warning signs before the unit finally stops. Here's what to watch for.

1. Your heating bills keep climbing

If you're using the heater the same way you always have but the bills keep going up, the unit is working harder for the same result. Older heaters lose efficiency as burners, heat exchangers and fans wear. A modern replacement – gas or reverse-cycle – can cut running costs noticeably, especially if the old unit is 15 years or older.

2. Some rooms never get warm

Uneven heating is usually one of three things: a tired fan that can't push enough air, ductwork that has come loose or collapsed under the house, or a heater that's simply undersized for the home after a renovation or extension. If we've already balanced the outlets and checked the ducts and it's still patchy, the unit is the problem.

3. Odd noises, smells or a yellow flame

Banging on start-up, rattling while running or a burning smell that doesn't clear after the first use of the season all need looking at. A yellow or flickering flame instead of a steady blue one is a bigger concern and should be checked straight away – it can point to incomplete combustion. Never keep running a heater you're worried about.

4. Repairs are becoming a yearly event

One repair is normal. Two or three in a couple of winters is a pattern. As a rough rule, if a repair costs more than about a third of a new system and the heater is well into its second decade, put the money towards a replacement instead.

5. The heater is 15 or more years old

Even a well-behaved old heater is worth planning for. Parts get harder to find, and no one enjoys being without heat in the middle of a cold Bendigo July. Planning a change-over in the warmer months means you choose the system you want, not whatever can be fitted fastest.

What to replace it with

Plenty of local homes are moving from gas ducted to reverse-cycle ducted or a mix of split systems, which heat and cool from the one unit. Others prefer to stay with gas and simply upgrade to a more efficient model with better zoning. There's no single right answer – it depends on your home, your ducting and how you use it.

Need a hand?

We're a local Bendigo team and we're happy to take a look. Give us a call on (03) 5444 4677 for honest advice and a free quote.