What is reverse cycle air conditioning?

Reverse cycle air conditioning is a system that both cools in summer and heats in winter using the same unit. It works by moving heat: in summer, it extracts heat from inside and releases it outside. In winter, it extracts heat from outdoor air (even when cold) and delivers it inside. Every split system and ducted system sold in Australia today is reverse cycle.

Is reverse cycle heating cheaper than gas in Sydney?

Yes. At current Sydney electricity and gas prices, reverse cycle heating costs approximately $0.085 per kWh of heat delivered (at a COP of 4.0), compared to $0.10–$0.12 per kWh for gas heating. Over a typical Sydney winter, reverse cycle heating is 20–30% cheaper than gas.

Which brand has the best reverse cycle heating performance?

Mitsubishi Electric has the best reverse cycle heating performance for Sydney homes, with a 6.0 energy star heating rating and a COP of approximately 5.5 at 7°C outdoor temperature. Daikin is second with 5.5 stars. Both brands maintain efficient heating performance down to 2°C outdoor temperature, well below Sydney's winter minimums.

Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning Sydney 2025

By Sydney Air Conditioning Experts · Updated May 2026

Reverse cycle air conditioning is the most energy-efficient way to both cool and heat a Sydney home. Every split system and ducted system sold in Australia today is reverse cycle — meaning the same unit that cools your home in summer extracts heat from outdoor air and delivers it inside in winter. With Sydney's mild winters, reverse cycle heating is two to three times more efficient than electric resistance heating and significantly cheaper to run than gas. This guide explains how reverse cycle technology works, running costs in Sydney, and which brands are most efficient.

How Reverse Cycle Works in Sydney Winters

Reverse cycle heating extracts latent heat from outdoor air — even when it's 5°C outside — and delivers it inside. For every 1kW of electricity consumed, a modern reverse cycle system delivers 3.0–6.0kW of heating (expressed as COP: Coefficient of Performance). This makes it 3–6x more efficient than electric resistance heaters and significantly cheaper than gas heating in Sydney's mild winters (where outdoor temperatures rarely drop below 5°C at night).

Running Cost Comparison — Heating Mode

Reverse cycle AC (COP 4.0): ~$0.085/kWh of heat delivered at 34c/kWh electricity
Gas heating: ~$0.10–$0.12/kWh of heat at current Sydney gas prices
Electric resistance heating: ~$0.34/kWh of heat — 4x more expensive than reverse cycle

Mitsubishi Electric (6.0 stars heating) and Daikin (5.5 stars) are the most efficient heaters in our range — ideal for Sydney homeowners who use their AC for winter heating regularly.

Sydney Air Conditioning Experts — Call 0421 941 317 or email quote@sydneyaircon.net for personalised advice on any system.