If you’re building, renovating or just sick of freezing bedrooms, chances are you’ve come across the term ducted heating and maybe zone control too. On paper, it all sounds like the dream. One system to heat the whole house. Flick a switch, set your temp, done.
But if you live in a real house (with real people who open doors, close vents and like their rooms at different temps), the best setup might not be what you think.
Here’s what we recommend and why multiple heat pumps often do a better job than standard zone control.
What’s a Ducted Heat Pump?
A ducted heat pump uses one central unit (usually in the ceiling or under the floor) to push warm air into every room through ducts. It’s clean, quiet and looks great – no wall units or visible pipes.
- Pro: You get whole-home heating at the push of a button, and it’s ideal for open-plan layouts or newer homes where the ductwork can be neatly tucked away.
- Cons: When it’s set up with basic zone control, the idea is that you can heat just the rooms you’re using. In reality, you’ll likely end up over- or under-heating parts of the house.
Why We Recommend Multiple Heat Pumps Instead
Instead of one big ducted system with zone control, we often recommend installing multiple heat pumps in key areas of your home.
Here’s why it works better:
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True control in each space: each space gets its own unit and thermostat
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Better energy efficiency: only heat the rooms you’re actually using
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More reliable warmth: no waiting for ducts to do the hard work
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Easier maintenance and zoning: no fancy control systems to manage or repair
For example, you might have a larger heat pump in the lounge and smaller units in the bedrooms. That way, you’re not pushing warm air through 10m of ducting just to heat a room someone might not even be in.
What’s Right for Your Home?
Every home is different, which is why we never push a one-size-fits-all solution. If you’re tossing up between ducted, zoned or multiple heat pumps, we’ll come take a look, chat through your options and make a plan that suits your space and your lifestyle.
Book a free consult today and let’s make sure your home is warm, dry and actually works for the way you live.