Browse Forums Heating, Cooling & Insulation 1 Aug 05, 2008 12:14 pm Hi all,
My builder has as standard a 3.5* ducted heating system with one zone, each extra zone costs $350. I was going to add 3 zones, making upgrade cost of $1050. However he has presented me with an option B, which woul be to upgrade to a 5* system for $1200. But would still just have one zone. (His argument was that you can just close off the vents in rooms you're not using anyway, and with 5* system you'd be using much less energy than 3.5*, therefore less need for zoning.) I would still like to get at least one extra zone, to separate living / bedroom areas, making total upgrade cost $1550. What would you do - pay extra for separate zones or upgrade the whole system and have fewer zones? Also, we have a choice of Vulcan or Brivis - both similar cost - is one better than the other? Many thanks in advance Re: Ducted heating: upgrade to 5* or have more zones? 2Aug 05, 2008 1:23 pm I'd go with the 5* system + 2 zones option. I think the extra $500 is worth it considering the rising energy prices.
From what I understand, the Brivis 3* system can't be zoned anyway, so if you go with Brivis you have to upgrade to either 4.5* or 5.5* to get the zoning. We upgraded from a Brivis 3* to a 5.5* with 2 Zones. No experience with Vulcan, but I remember reading on a another thread that Brivis is the better of the two brands. Re: Ducted heating: upgrade to 5* or have more zones? 3Aug 05, 2008 1:35 pm thanks Duminda! That's the option I was leaning towards, so good to have it confirmed by someone else - I agree, the extra $500 is worth it, and I'm sure 2 zones is plenty for a <30 sq house.
Will go Brivis too. Thanks for your advice Re: Ducted heating: upgrade to 5* or have more zones? 4Aug 07, 2008 9:51 pm Your better off with a Brivis but a braemar is even better but you don't have that option 2nd i would go a 4 star the 5 stars are over priced and it works out to be around 15 years to get your money back from upgrading to a 5 star heater your builder is also ripping you i charge $200 per zone and to upgrade fro a 3 star to a 5 star is $800.00 and a vulcan should be alot cheaper than a Brivis hope that helps Re: Ducted heating: upgrade to 5* or have more zones? 5Aug 07, 2008 10:02 pm thanks Brad. Hmm. Oh well! Have already agreed to the costs quoted so I suppose it's a bit late, but hopefully your advice will help others!
I think I have heard some of the big builders charging a similar amount as mine for zones though, so hopefully not getting ripped off more than others at least!! Re: Ducted heating: upgrade to 5* or have more zones? 6Aug 07, 2008 10:23 pm donuts I think I have heard some of the big builders charging a similar amount as mine for zones though, so hopefully not getting ripped off more than others at least!! You are right on that one ... ours charged $1500 odd for the upgrade and $367 per zone Re: Ducted heating: upgrade to 5* or have more zones? 7Aug 10, 2008 5:23 pm donuts I think I have heard some of the big builders charging a similar amount as mine for zones though, so hopefully not getting ripped off more than others at least!! Was looking for info on ducted heating and came across this forum, anyway I have a Quote for zoning a Brivis unit, the 506 module $165 and each fan $55 the module can run 4 fans (4 zones). This was supply only. Hi all, sorting out the ducted air con for a 350sqm double story house. Does this placement sound reasonable to you? Also, I plan to have 6 zones I think. Living room… 0 0 Hi all, sorting out the ducted air con for a 350sqm double story house. I think i plan to have 6 zones I think. Living room (mainly for entertainment so not used often),… 0 0 0 6272 |