Solar Victoria Heat Pump Rebate 2026 — New Income Test, Eligibility & How to Claim
Introduction
Replacing gas ducted heating with a reverse cycle ducted system in Melbourne costs $5,500–$16,000 depending on home size and whether existing ductwork can be reused. A VEU rebate applies upfront — typically $400–$1,200+ for this upgrade category. In many Melbourne homes, existing gas ductwork is fully reusable, reducing installation cost and time significantly.
Why Melbourne Homeowners Are Replacing Gas Ducted Now
Three factors are driving the shift from gas ducted heating to reverse cycle in Melbourne:
Rising gas network costs. Gas distribution charges in Victoria have risen sharply. Even households with efficient gas systems are seeing bills increase faster than inflation.
Victoria’s gas ban on new connections. Since January 2024, no new residential gas connections are permitted in Victoria. Homes that disconnect from gas cannot reconnect — making the switch a one-way decision worth planning carefully.
The VEU rebate is strongest for this upgrade. Replacing gas ducted heating with an eligible reverse cycle ducted system is consistently one of the highest-value rebate categories under the VEU program. Evitech confirms the exact rebate for your property during the free site inspectio
Can My Existing Gas Ductwork Be Reused?
This is the most common question — and the good news is that in many Melbourne homes, yes. Whether ductwork can be reused depends on:
- Age and condition: Ductwork under 15–20 years in good condition is typically reusable
- Material: Flexible insulated ductwork (common in post-2000 Melbourne homes) is generally compatible
- Layout: If the existing layout suits the new system’s airflow requirements
- Sizing: Gas systems sometimes use larger duct sizing than reverse cycle — Evitech’s team assesses compatibility during the site inspection
Reusing existing ductwork can reduce installation cost by $1,500–$4,000 and cut installation time from 3 days to 1–2 days.
Costs in Detail
| Scenario | Estimated Cost | After VEU Rebate |
|---|---|---|
| Small home (up to 150sqm), ductwork reused | $5,500–$7,500 | $4,500–$6,500 |
| Medium home (150–220sqm), partial new ductwork | $8,000–$12,000 | $7,000–$11,000 |
| Large home (220sqm+), full new ductwork | $12,000–$16,000+ | $11,000–$15,000+ |
VEU rebate values vary by postcode and current VEEC prices. Evitech confirms exact rebate in every quote.
The Upgrade Process with Evitech
Step 1 — Free site inspection For ducted systems, Evitech always conducts a site inspection before quoting. Our team checks ceiling cavity access, existing ductwork condition, outdoor unit positioning, and switchboard capacity. This inspection is free and takes 45–60 minutes.
Step 2 — Fixed quote with rebate confirmed Your quote shows the full installation cost with VEU rebate deducted. No variations on installation day.
Step 3 — Gas decommissioning Evitech disconnects and removes the old gas ducted unit and caps the gas supply line to the heater. If you want full gas meter removal (to eliminate gas daily supply charge), we guide you through the process with your gas distributor.
Step 4 — Installation Most ducted replacements in Melbourne are completed in 1–2 days. Your home is fully operational with reverse cycle heating and cooling by the end of day 2.
Check Your Rebate Eligibility - Free
Contact us on 1300 137 974 for same-day availability.