Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners

Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners have become the prime choice for home owners in Adelaide. Many home owners will choose a reverse cycle air conditioner for the fact that it can produce both hot and cold air – hence the term “reverse cycle”.

This positions the reverse cycle air conditioner as an all-in-one system, that can keep a home warm in winter and cool in summer. There are inherent benefits to having reverse cycle systems, the most apparent being the lower upfront cost of having both heating and cooling in a single system.

This post shares some of the types and benefits of reverse cycle air conditioners.

Types of Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners

Reverse cycle air conditioners come in two primary types: ducted and split systems. Each format offers distinct advantages depending on your home layout, design preferences, and heating/cooling requirements. While some homeowners prefer the hidden and whole-home coverage of ducted systems, others may opt for the room-by-room flexibility of split systems.

Ducted Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners

Today’s ducted systems almost always feature reverse cycle capability, offering both heating and cooling from a single unit. These systems work by distributing conditioned air through ducts hidden in the ceiling or floor, delivering comfort to multiple rooms at once.

One of the biggest advantages of ducted reverse cycle air conditioners is their minimalist design. All ductwork is concealed within the home’s structure, leaving only sleek, flush-mounted ceiling or wall vents visible. This makes ducted systems especially attractive for homeowners who value seamless interior aesthetics.

Ducted systems include an indoor unit, an outdoor compressor, and a network of air ducts and vents. This makes them ideal for larger or multi-storey homes, where centralized control and widespread air distribution are preferred.

Split System Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners

Split system air conditioners include an outdoor compressor and indoor wall-mounted units—also known as fan coils. Each indoor unit services an individual room, making this system ideal for smaller to medium-sized homes.

While split systems require visible indoor units, many modern models now come in sleek, contemporary designs and a variety of colours, making them an intentional part of your interior style. For homeowners with 3–4 bedroom single-storey homes, split systems can be a practical, cost-effective choice.

Like ducted systems, most modern split systems also feature reverse cycle technology, enabling both heating and cooling functions. However, in larger homes where multiple units would be needed, a ducted solution may be more cost-effective in the long run.

Benefits of Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners

1. Versatile Implementation

These systems are ideal for complex layouts, including multi-storey homes with varied room sizes and challenging access points. Ducted units can easily cover multiple zones through strategically placed vents, offering uniform comfort across your entire home.

2. All-in-One Heating and Cooling

Instead of installing separate systems for summer and winter, reverse cycle air conditioning gives you year-round climate control in one unit. This means no need for an additional gas heating system—reducing installation costs, simplifying maintenance, and saving valuable space.

3. Economical & Energy Efficient

Thanks to ongoing innovation, reverse cycle systems are becoming increasingly energy efficient. Many leading brands now offer models with 5–6 star energy ratings, making them more cost-effective to run.

Modern systems use inverter technology, which allows the unit to adjust its output to maintain the desired temperature efficiently. By ramping power up or down, inverters prevent energy waste and significantly lower running costs, especially during long periods of use.

Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners vs Evaporative

Since both Ducted and Split System air conditioning comes with Reverse Cycle capability, the only other type of air conditioning that one should consider is Evaporative. This where home owners may need to give much consideration to.

Evaporative air conditioning is almost a alternative route to mainstream air conditioning. Evaporative uses the process of evaporation to cool air. Warm air from a room is sucked through damp cooling pads to generate cooled air. This cooled air is then distributed throughout a home via ducts. So it is actually a form of ducted air conditioning.

Since evaporative air conditioners do not use a refrigerant and refrigerative process, it consumes far less power than refrigeration based air conditioning. A much lower running cost is one of the key reasons some home owners choose Evaporative. However, since it does not produce any heating, a separate heating solution will need to be installed. There are upfront costs to weigh in, and the running costs of gas if a gas heating systems is chosen.

The air produced by Evaporative systems is more humid, easier on the skin and lungs, and more like a fresh breeze. As opposed to the cold, crisp air from a refrigerative system. Some home owners prefer that while others prefer the colder air. It really depends on individual criteria.

Evaporative is usually more suited for families that prefer more natural air, have newborn babies or members with respiratory sensitivities.

Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners Brands

Almost every leading brand of air conditioning have reverse cycle models. Mitsubishi reverse cycle air conditioners are priced at a premium over other brands, and their implementation of the Inverter technology is one of the best. Toshiba, Samsung, Carrier, Braemar all have reverse cycle air conditioner models.

In terms of features, most reverse cycle air conditioners have similar offerings. When considering reverse cycle air conditioners, most home owners will start with their budget, to decide on the brand first, and then the type (ducted or split system or evaporative). Having decide on the type of air conditioner, they will then zero in on the model that suits them best. Some features like air ionizers are only available in split systems. If you would like more information on our ducted air conditioning pages please visit this link.

Need helping selecting reverse cycle air conditioning? Contact Rite Price today. Our consultants will help you choose the best system for your home.