All guides
Reverse cycle air conditioning and heat pump hot water costs in Australia: ducted vs split price factors, STCs, VEU and NSW discounts, gas switch costs and running costs.
Costs, Price Factors and 2026 Rebates
- Ducted vs split system air conditioning: upfront cost, running cost and which suits your home
How ducted reverse cycle and split system air conditioning compare in Australia on installed price, running costs, zoning, noise, looks and future replacement.
- Heat pump hot water cost in Australia: system types, tank sizes and what pushes the price up
What a heat pump water heater costs to supply and install in Australia, how integrated and split units differ, tank sizing, installation extras and incentives.
- Heating and cooling installation cost in Australia: split, ducted and heat pump hot water in 2026
What a reverse cycle split system, ducted system or heat pump water heater costs to install in Australia, what drives the price and which 2026 incentives apply.
- Home Energy Upgrades Fund loans for heat pumps and air conditioning: how the CEFC green loans work
How the $1 billion Household Energy Upgrades Fund finances heat pumps and air conditioners through partner lenders, what to compare and how it differs from interest-free plans.
- NSW Energy Savings Scheme discounts for heat pump hot water and air conditioners in 2026
How NSW households get Energy Savings Scheme discounts on heat pump water heaters and efficient air conditioners, the published amounts, the PDRS link and the paperwork.
- STCs for heat pump hot water in 2026: how the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme discount works
How small-scale technology certificates reduce the price of heat pump and solar water heaters, the shrinking deeming period to 2030, eligibility and how to check a quote.
- Victoria's gas rules for homes: replacing gas hot water from 1 March 2027, new homes and disconnection
What Victoria's move away from household gas means for your hot water and heating, the end-of-life replacement rule from March 2027, new homes, exemptions and gas abolishment.
- Victorian heat pump and reverse cycle rebates in 2026: VEU discounts and the Solar Victoria hot water rebate
How Victorian Energy Upgrades discounts and the Solar Victoria hot water rebate work for heat pumps and reverse cycle systems, eligibility, stacking order and checks.
Worked Estimates and Checklists
- Reading the Zoned Energy Rating Label: star ratings, efficiency and noise for air conditioners and heat pumps
How to read the Zoned Energy Rating Label on reverse cycle air conditioners, what COP and seasonal efficiency mean, and how to compare heat pump water heaters without a star label.
- Going all-electric: a worked example of replacing gas heating, hot water and cooking
An illustrative whole-home gas-to-electric budget for an Australian house, covering reverse cycle heating, heat pump hot water, induction cooking, gas disconnection and the yearly saving.
- Heat pump hot water worked example: net cost after STCs and rebates, and the payback in years
A full illustrative calculation for replacing electric or gas hot water with a heat pump in Australia, from quote to incentives, running-cost saving and payback.
- Heating and cooling quote checklist: what an air conditioning or heat pump quote should include
A step-by-step checklist for reading and comparing split system, ducted and heat pump hot water quotes in Australia, from site inspection to final payment.
- Gas heating vs reverse cycle running costs: how to compare the bills with your own tariffs
A step-by-step method for comparing the running cost of gas heating, reverse cycle air conditioning and hot water options in Australia, with MJ to kWh conversions and supply charges.
- What size air conditioner do I need? Sizing a reverse cycle system in kW for Australian rooms
A worked method for estimating reverse cycle air conditioner capacity in kW from room size, insulation, windows and climate, and why installers should still do a load calculation.
- Switchboard upgrades and new circuits for air conditioners and heat pumps: the hidden electrical costs
When a split system, ducted unit or heat pump water heater needs a new circuit or switchboard upgrade in Australia, what drives the cost and how to spot it before installation day.
Failures, Complaints and Official Sources
- Air conditioner and heat pump warranties vs consumer guarantees: your rights under the Australian Consumer Law
How manufacturer warranties, installer workmanship warranties and the Australian Consumer Law guarantees apply to split systems, ducted units and heat pump water heaters.
- ARCtick licence check: who can legally install a split system or heat pump in Australia
How refrigerant handling licences and refrigerant trading authorisations work, which other licences an air conditioning or heat pump installer needs, and how to check them.
- Heat pump hot water problems: noise, running out of hot water, cold weather and error codes
The most common heat pump water heater complaints in Australian homes, what usually causes them, what you can check safely and when it is a warranty or consumer guarantee issue.
- \"Free\" heat pump and air conditioner offers: door-knocking, rebate scams and your cooling-off rights
How to recognise misleading free or low-cost heat pump and air conditioner offers in Australia, your unsolicited sales rights, and how to report problems to the right regulator.
- Common air conditioning installation mistakes in Australian homes and how to avoid them
Undersized units, bad head placement, noisy outdoor units, condensate leaks, uninsulated ducts and other split and ducted installation failures, with prevention tips.
- Air conditioning and heat pump problems: who to contact for faults, disputes, rebates and safety
Which Australian body handles each heating, cooling or hot water problem, from faulty units and installer disputes to rebate providers, licences, energy bills and safety.