Upgrading Gas Ducted Heating + Solar. Worth It? Options?

• 

  geekcohen on 08/08/2024 - 14:27

  +1

  solar generation will rely on FiT

  It is bugger all. FIT is like 5c and it is going down.

  Based on what you are currently paying etc, its going to take a long time to get your ROI. I don't think it is a smart move because you will still have a bill and the FIT won't cover the overnight usage. If you WFH and can use the solar you are generating at the time, then great. I WFH, run Dishwasher, Dryer and other appliances during the sun when the sun is shining. But I still have a bill, we are a high usage household (2 adults, 2 kids under 5).

• 

  jv on 08/08/2024 - 14:36

  +2

  Worth It?

  no

• 

  star-ggg on 08/08/2024 - 14:46

  +1

  How much just for replacing the existing split system?

  • 

    netjock on 08/08/2024 - 15:02

    +1

    3x as much as putting in a new one.

    Tradies look at it then say:

    1. To take the old one out is like installing a new one
    2. Clean it up (because they goofed up at number 1)
    3. Install new one
    • 

      soan papdi on 08/08/2024 - 16:58

      +2

      Standard tradie talk, the previous guy did such a bad job I have to do sooooo much extra!

• 

  netjock on 08/08/2024 - 15:00

  I've had a quote for approx $6,000 for a 6.6kw solar system (EGing panels and SAJ inverter)

  Bit expensive. If this gross before rebates? If gross then it looks okay. I don't know EG or SAJ. I've got Jinko and Growatt.

  There's 2 of us in the house, and our average daily electricity usage is around 8Kw. Electric with Ovo is approx $100 per month. Gas is around $140 per month at the moment).

  We used ducted heating overnight (15C to take away the chill and have blankets)
  We use reverse cycle during the day (since we've got solar which makes it cheaper than gas)
  It really depends on your profile of usage whether solar works for you. Even then we're still averaging 7kwh of electricity use (Melbourne, probably due to cold winters)

  Victoria has rebates going from gas to heat pump hot water, air con etc so you might look into it if you are in VIC.

  • 

    Maaax9 on 08/08/2024 - 15:43

    Quote is for solar and the air conditioning replacements etc.

    We are in Vic, so that price was after all rebates too.

    • 

      netjock on 08/08/2024 - 16:32

      If it is for solar + 3x reverse cycle air cons then it isn't actually that bad. Think my 6.6kw system was like $3k after grant but before interest free loan (which is cash flow not free money). 3x reverse cycle for $1k each installed isn't bad.

• 

  freefall101 on 08/08/2024 - 15:02

  What state are you in? How big is the house? Is that quote after rebates because $6,000 sounds expensive (edit: I think I misread your post, if it includes the cooling that's an amazing price)

  I did the switch you mention, but only because I bought a house, turned on the gas heating and it started leaking gas. Old owner claimed it worked fine, building inspection didn't test it, so it was easier just to rip it out and go electric as I was putting in solar anyway. Now have electric heating/cooling, solar and gas water/stove.

  First thing is the imbalance. Our summer electricity bill is near zero. Our winter bill is about $400 a month the past couple of months, with the cold weather in Melbourne and exports have been basically zero, it all gets used. House is a draft 3 bedroom affair so it's getting slowly better as I improve insulation. Gas water/stove stay a consistent $70 a month. When you say gas is $140 a month, is it averaged or is that what you're paying during winter? If that's winter cost for gas, I'd keep your existing heating.

  Also look at your gas heater as well. Last place I lived in it was replaced and our gas bill halved. The new one was 4-5 star or something, the old one was so old it didn't have a star rating. Efficiency improvement was massive and well worth it.

• 

  soan papdi on 08/08/2024 - 17:01

  Is your 6K including the new hardware for cooling or are you getting it separately? What brand and how many kw? Did you ask if they can simply reuse the ducted heater outlets instead of putting in 3 outlets?

  • 

    netjock on 08/08/2024 - 18:38

    • decommissioning the ducted heating, and replacing the existing split system with 3 splits connected via a multi-head unit. One split in open living/kitchen/dining, one in master and one in lounge room.

    You just need to know what Kw the outdoor unit is.

    • 

      Maaax9 on 08/08/2024 - 18:55

      +1

      Ducted needs to be fully decommissioned - I did check to see if anything could stay connected.
      Panasonic splits, I believe 7/2.5/1.5kw splits

    • 

      soan papdi on 08/08/2024 - 19:04

      I can read too but my questions weren’t answered. Does 6k include the unit? Was ducting going to be removed or left behind? What about the outlets in the ceiling? Was the option of using the ducting considered given it will save wall space and look neater.

• 

  JDMcarfan on 09/08/2024 - 09:51

  Reading your other comments, that price is too cheap just for the panels + aircon and would be unfeasibly low if it included decommissioning the ducted. Those brands for solar aren't well known or volume sellers (I assume cheap brands to cut costs), but Panasonic is decent. 6k is just too low for them to have any profit and makes me suspicious.

  Solar and Aircon are completely different things so tbh you should get separate quotes for each from quality installers and go from there (assuming you want longevity), no one really should be installing both, and if they are, theres a good chance theyre outsourcing and pocketing some extra profit.
  Multi head units are also unreliable (greater loads on the one unit) and inefficient (aircon efficiency is directly correlated between the distance between the head and condenser, back-to-back is always best) plus if the condenser dies then you have no air con (and will need to replace your entire system vs. just the one head/condenser).

  For pricing, I'm honestly not too sure what a multi-head (3 splits) would cost so can't advise, but from a similar experience for me last year:
  - Solar 6.6kw: $3-4k, I got my last system installed for $2900 for Jinko panels and a Growatt/Sungrow Inverter (both Tier 1 brands). I got extra discounted pricing, however.
  - Split Systems 1x 5kw and 2 x 2.5kw: $4800. Panasonic was about $500 less overall, but I personally would pay the premium for Mitsu/Daikin. Upgrade from 5 to 7kw is $400.
  I don't think 1.5kw single splits exist nor would they be worth it.
  Like for Like comparison Total Solar + Aircon: ~$7.5-8k (without any decommissioning). Hence your pricing seems too low.

  I question why you need to decommission the ducted if its relatively new and is operational. Why not just leave it there and perhaps only use it when entertaining/never (and otherwise just rely on splits). Seems like an unnecessary cost for no gain.

  For solar panels, screw the FIT as it pays peanuts, and instead aim for max utilisation. Given you both aren't WFH, your main requirements are in the morning and evening.
  Installers generally all focus on max output (to sell to you how much FIT you can earn) but don't focus on value to client. If you want to maximise self-use (and thus effectively earn a FIT of 30c) then have the panels set up on the eastern/western faces (max generation at morning/evening) instead of the north face (more overall generation, but peaks during midday). The western face is the best bit (and something installers don't mention) as having panels on that side gives you an extra couple of hours of high generation that aligns with when you come home and want to turn on the aircon to heat up/cool down.

• 

  cauilfield on 09/08/2024 - 10:58

  +1

  Solar - payback would be aprpox 7-10 years if you consume your energy during the day;
  Gas to split ACs - definitely yes - best decision I made.