Gas Heating Adelaide
Gas heating in Adelaide breaks into two classes — ducted gas heaters that warm the whole house and free-standing gas wall heaters that warm a single room. Gas ducted heating costs $5,500–$9,500 supplied and fitted for a typical 4-bedroom home; a Rinnai or Braemar gas wall heater installed in a living room costs $1,800–$3,200. Both options are still a sensible call where the natural gas connection is already on, the electricity tariff is high, and the home is used in the evenings rather than mornings — but in 2026, reverse-cycle heat-pump heating wins on running cost across most Adelaide tariffs.
We’re gas-licensed and ARC-authorised installers, and we’ll get back to you within 24–48 hours. The form takes 90 seconds, and the quote will spell out the kW capacity, gas connection requirements, and the running-cost arithmetic against reverse-cycle for your specific situation.
When gas heating still makes sense
The honest answer in 2026: less often than it used to. The Coefficient of Performance arithmetic favours heat pumps almost universally — reverse-cycle delivers 3–5kW of heat per 1kW of electricity, gas ducted delivers 0.85–0.95kW of heat per 1kW of gas energy. On most Adelaide tariffs, that gap means reverse-cycle is 30–45% cheaper to run for the same heat output.
Gas heating still makes sense when:
- The gas connection is already in. Adding a gas connection from scratch costs $2,500–$5,000 — enough to wipe out any running-cost edge.
- The electricity tariff is exceptionally high (single-rate over 38c/kWh) and there’s no controlled-load tariff option.
- You want instant heat in the morning — gas comes up to temperature faster than reverse-cycle, which is a real comfort difference in the first 10 minutes.
- You already have ducted gas and the unit is mid-life. A 10-year-old ducted gas unit isn’t always worth replacing with reverse-cycle until it actually fails.
For new installs in homes without an existing gas connection, reverse-cycle air conditioning almost always wins.
Ducted gas heating
A ducted gas heater sits on the roof or in the roof void, burns natural gas in a sealed combustion chamber, and pushes warm air through ceiling diffusers in each room. Most Adelaide ducted gas units are made by Rinnai, Braemar, Brivis or Coolair — the same brands that dominate the evaporative market.
| Capacity | Typical home | Fitted price |
|---|---|---|
| 16MJ | Small 2–3 bed | $4,500–$6,500 |
| 20MJ | Standard 3–4 bed | $5,500–$7,500 |
| 25MJ | Larger 4-bed | $6,500–$8,500 |
| 30MJ+ | 5-bed / 2-storey | $7,500–$11,000 |
Add $500–$1,500 if a new gas line needs to be run from the meter. Add $300–$800 if the existing flue needs replacement.
Gas wall heaters
Free-standing or wall-mounted gas heaters warm a single room. The Rinnai Energysaver and Braemar gas wall heater ranges are the SA-market staples. Fitted prices typically:
| Capacity | Room size | Fitted price |
|---|---|---|
| 10MJ | Small living | $1,800–$2,400 |
| 15MJ | Medium living | $2,200–$2,800 |
| 20MJ | Large living/dining | $2,600–$3,200 |
The install needs a flue penetration through the wall and a gas connection from the meter. Most jobs are a half-day.
Brands we install
- Rinnai — the largest Australian gas heating range. Energysaver wall heaters, ducted gas units, gas log fires.
- Braemar — Australian-made, full ducted gas and wall-heater range. Strong SA distribution.
- Brivis — competitive ducted gas. Often paired with a Brivis evaporative on a roof-mount combo.
- Bonaire — known for evap but has a gas heating range as well.
We hold gas-fitting licences in addition to ARC and electrical. Gas work without the right licence is illegal and uninsurable.
Running-cost reality check
A typical 4-bedroom Adelaide home running 4 hours/day of heating across June–August (~90 days) at 2026 tariffs:
| System | Heat output | Seasonal running cost (360 hrs) |
|---|---|---|
| Ducted gas, 20MJ | ~17kW | ~$420 |
| Reverse-cycle ducted, 14kW (COP 3.5) | 14kW | ~$280 |
| Reverse-cycle split, 7kW (one room) | 7kW | ~$140 |
The 35–40% running-cost gap between gas ducted and reverse-cycle ducted is the maths that’s pushing new Adelaide installs away from gas. The reverse-cycle vs evaporative article covers the broader heating + cooling comparison.
Where gas heating still installs in Adelaide
- Inner-city homes with existing gas connections — replacement of an end-of-life ducted gas unit
- Hills properties on bottle gas — where the existing gas service is already in and reverse-cycle would need a switchboard upgrade
- Heritage homes with no roof void — gas wall heaters fit where ducted reverse-cycle doesn’t
- Single-room solutions — a gas wall heater is fast, instant, and cheaper than a 5kW reverse-cycle split for a living room used 2 hours a night
Frequently asked questions
How much does ducted gas heating cost in Adelaide? A 20MJ ducted gas system for a standard 4-bedroom home costs $5,500–$7,500 supplied and fitted. Larger homes (25–30MJ) sit $6,500–$11,000. Replacement of an existing ducted gas (same flue, same ducting) is typically $4,000–$5,500.
Is gas heating cheaper than reverse-cycle in Adelaide? On 2026 tariffs, no — reverse-cycle is typically 30–45% cheaper to run for the same heat output. Gas heating only wins on running cost where the electricity tariff is exceptionally high or where the gas connection is already in and reverse-cycle would need a switchboard upgrade.
Should I replace my old ducted gas with reverse-cycle? If your existing ducted gas is end-of-life (15+ years old, repairs adding up), yes — reverse-cycle ducted is the better long-term call. If it’s mid-life and running fine, the running-cost edge isn’t usually enough to justify the replacement cost. Get a quote on both options and compare.
Can I run reverse-cycle and keep my gas wall heater? Yes — it’s a common Adelaide setup. Reverse-cycle handles the bulk of the heating; the gas wall heater stays as instant-heat backup for the coldest mornings. The fixed running cost of an unused gas heater is just the daily supply charge.
Do you install gas log fires? We carry Rinnai and Real Flame gas log fires. Flag it in the quote notes and we’ll include them on your quote.
What about indoor air quality with gas heating? All ducted gas systems sold in Australia today are fully sealed combustion units — combustion air comes from outside and combustion gases vent outside. There’s no indoor air quality concern with a properly installed and serviced unit. Old, unflued gas heaters (rare in Adelaide today) are a different story.
Ready for a written, line-itemed gas heating quote?
Submit the quote form — we’ll be in touch within 24–48 hours. Or call us if you’d rather start with a phone conversation.