Reverse cycle air conditioning cools in summer and heats in winter from a single system. Rather than generating heat by burning fuel or running an element, it uses a heat pump to move heat from one place to another — outside in summer, inside in winter. Because moving heat takes far less energy than creating it, reverse cycle is the most efficient heating available in Australia and the cheapest way to warm a Brisbane home.
This efficiency is why it dominates the Queensland market. A reverse cycle system typically delivers three to five kilowatts of heat for every kilowatt of electricity consumed. A conventional electric heater delivers one. On a Brisbane winter morning at 8°C, that difference is roughly 70% off your heating cost.
For Brisbane specifically, reverse cycle makes even more sense than in colder states. Our winters are mild, so the system runs in its most efficient range rather than struggling at low ambient temperatures. And because you need cooling for eight months anyway, the heating capability effectively comes free with equipment you were buying regardless.
We supply, install, service and repair reverse cycle systems in every configuration — split, multi-head, ducted, cassette and light commercial — across Brisbane and South East Queensland.
How reverse cycle works
A refrigerant circuit absorbs heat at one coil and releases it at the other. A reversing valve simply swaps which coil does which job. In cooling mode, the indoor coil absorbs heat from your room and the outdoor coil dumps it outside. In heating mode the valve reverses the flow, so the outdoor coil extracts heat from the outside air — and there is usable heat in air even at 5°C — and the indoor coil releases it into your home.
Reverse cycle system types we install
- Single-head split — one room, most cost-effective entry point.
- Multi-head split — two to five rooms from one outdoor unit; ideal for apartments and townhouses.
- Ducted reverse cycle — whole-home cooling and heating through concealed ceiling outlets with zoning.
- Ceiling cassette — four-way airflow, common in offices, shops and large open rooms.
- Floor-mounted — excellent for heating, since warm air rises from floor level; suits Queenslanders and rooms with limited high wall space.
- Light commercial package units — for retail, hospitality and office fit-outs.
Benefits of Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning
- One system, all year. Cooling and heating from the same equipment, one installation cost, one service visit.
- The cheapest heating available. Typical coefficient of performance of 3 to 5 means running costs a fraction of electric heaters, and generally lower than gas heating in South East Queensland.
- Excellent dehumidification, which does more for comfort in a Brisbane summer than temperature alone. Most systems also include a dedicated dry mode for humid days when you don’t need much cooling.
- No combustion, no flue, no gas connection. Nothing burns, so there are no combustion by-products, no carbon monoxide risk and no gas safety obligations.
- Safer than portable heaters — no exposed elements, no tip-over risk, no fire hazard from curtains or bedding.
- Air filtration removes dust, pollen and particulates as it conditions the air, which matters during Brisbane’s spring pollen season.
- Instant, controllable comfort with precise thermostat control, timers, scheduling and app control on most modern systems.
- Lower emissions, particularly when paired with rooftop solar — an extremely common and effective combination in Queensland.
- Adds property value. Reverse cycle is an expected feature in the Brisbane market.
Our Process
Consultation and assessment
We discuss which rooms you need conditioned, how you use them, and whether heating matters as much as cooling to you. Then we measure up: room dimensions, ceiling heights, glazing and orientation, insulation, and available space for indoor and outdoor units.
Heat load calculation
We calculate both cooling and heating loads. These are not the same number, and sizing purely for cooling occasionally leaves heating performance short in poorly insulated homes. Brisbane’s western sun drives the cooling figure; ceiling height and glazing drive the heating figure.
System recommendation
You receive two or three options across price points, with honest comparison of cooling and heating capacity, energy star ratings in both modes, sound levels, warranty and features. We explain the trade-offs rather than steering you to one brand.
Fixed written quote
Covering equipment, installation, electrical work, commissioning, removal of any old unit and cleanup. No surprise variations.
Professional installation
Carried out by ARCtick-licensed technicians with QBCC-licensed electrical support. Mounting, pipework, drainage, electrical connection, nitrogen pressure testing, deep vacuum evacuation and weighed refrigerant charge.
Commissioning in both modes
This is important and often skipped by cheaper installers. We test and verify performance in cooling and heating, measuring temperature split, current draw and reversing valve operation in each direction.
Handover and setup
Controller and app configured, heating and cooling setpoints explained, timers and schedules set up if you want them, filter maintenance demonstrated, warranty registered.
Ongoing support
Annual servicing, priority maintenance plans and repair support for the life of the system.
Indicative Costs
Supply and install, AUD including GST, for standard Brisbane installations.
System | Suits | Indicative installed price |
2.5 kW reverse cycle split | Bedroom, study | $1,600 – $2,400 |
3.5 kW reverse cycle split | Main bedroom, small living | $1,900 – $2,900 |
5.0 kW reverse cycle split | Living area | $2,400 – $3,500 |
7.1 – 8.0 kW reverse cycle split | Open-plan living | $2,900 – $4,500 |
Multi-head, 2 rooms | Apartment, townhouse | $4,500 – $7,000 |
Multi-head, 3–4 rooms | Family home | $6,500 – $12,000 |
Ducted reverse cycle, 5–6 outlets | 3–4 bedroom home | $11,000 – $18,000 |
Ducted reverse cycle, 7–10 outlets | Large home | $15,000 – $28,000 |
Ceiling cassette, 5–7 kW | Office, retail, large room | $4,000 – $7,500 |
Floor-mounted reverse cycle, 3.5–5 kW | Queenslanders, heating priority | $2,600 – $4,000 |
Indicative running costs
Based on South East Queensland residential tariffs of roughly $0.30–$0.35 per kWh.
Mode | System | Approximate cost per hour |
Cooling | 3.5 kW split, moderate load | $0.20 – $0.40 |
Cooling | 7.1 kW split, hot afternoon | $0.45 – $0.80 |
Heating | 3.5 kW split, Brisbane winter | $0.15 – $0.30 |
Heating | Ducted, 2 zones | $0.60 – $1.20 |
Cooling | Ducted, whole home, peak | $1.50 – $3.00 |
Inverter systems draw substantially less once the room reaches setpoint, so these figures represent active operation rather than a continuous average.
Brands We Supply and Service
- Daikin — excellent heating performance and the reliability benchmark.
- Mitsubishi Electric — outstanding efficiency in both modes and very quiet operation.
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries — strong dehumidification, robust and good value.
- Fujitsu — dependable, well-supported, competitively priced.
- Panasonic — good filtration and solid inverter control.
- ActronAir — Australian designed and built for Queensland conditions; excellent ducted reverse cycle.
- LG — strong smart controls and competitive warranties.
- Samsung — Wind-Free technology and modern design.
- Carrier — reliable, long-established range across residential and commercial.
Service Areas
North Brisbane, South Brisbane, East Brisbane, West Brisbane, Brisbane CBD, Indooroopilly, Toowong, Chermside, Carindale, Sunnybank, Logan, Ipswich, Redlands and Moreton Bay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is reverse cycle worth it in Brisbane if winters are mild?
Yes, and arguably more so than in colder climates. The heating capability adds very little to the purchase price of equipment you need for cooling anyway, and it performs at peak efficiency in mild conditions. Brisbane winter mornings and evenings genuinely get cold enough to want heating, and reverse cycle is the cheapest way to provide it.
How efficient is reverse cycle heating compared to other options?
A modern reverse cycle system produces roughly three to five units of heat per unit of electricity. Electric panel heaters, fan heaters and oil column heaters produce one. Reverse cycle heating therefore costs roughly a quarter to a third as much to run, and is typically cheaper than gas heating at current South East Queensland gas prices.
Does reverse cycle still work on cold mornings?
Easily. Brisbane rarely drops below 5°C, and modern systems maintain full rated heating capacity well below that. Cold-climate performance concerns apply to alpine areas, not South East Queensland.
What’s the difference between reverse cycle and a normal air conditioner?
A cooling-only unit can only cool. A reverse cycle unit contains a reversing valve that lets the refrigerant circuit run in either direction, so the same equipment heats as well. The price difference on modern systems is small, which is why cooling-only units have become uncommon in Australia.
Should I choose split or ducted reverse cycle?
Split systems suit one or two rooms and cost far less to install. Ducted suits whole-home comfort and larger houses, gives a cleaner appearance, and with good zoning runs economically. If you’re conditioning more than three or four rooms, ducted usually makes better sense financially and aesthetically.
What temperature should I set it to?
Around 24–25°C in cooling and 20–21°C in heating. Every degree cooler in summer or warmer in winter adds roughly 5–10% to running cost, and the comfort difference is minimal. In humid Brisbane weather, dry mode at a moderate setpoint often feels better than aggressive cooling.
Can I run it on solar?
Yes, and it’s an excellent pairing. Peak cooling demand in Brisbane coincides closely with peak solar generation, so daytime cooling can be largely offset by rooftop solar. Scheduling pre-cooling during the middle of the day maximises this.
Why does my outdoor unit steam in winter?
That’s the defrost cycle. In heating mode the outdoor coil gets very cold and can accumulate frost. The system periodically reverses briefly to melt it, producing visible vapour and a temporary pause in heating. It’s completely normal.
What maintenance does reverse cycle need?
Wash the filters every four to six weeks during heavy use, keep the outdoor unit clear of vegetation, and book an annual professional service. Because the system runs in both modes across the year, servicing should verify performance in heating as well as cooling — including reversing valve operation, which is often overlooked.
How long will a reverse cycle system last in Brisbane?
Twelve to eighteen years for a well-installed and annually serviced split system, and fifteen to twenty for ducted equipment. Coastal properties should expect somewhat shorter condenser life unless coil protection and regular rinsing are maintained.
