Braemar Dominator Series™ Reverse Cycle Hybrid Heating System

Are you searching for an all-electric heating solution to replace your gas-ducted system at home? Braemar has transformed the heating and cooling industry with its innovative Dominator Series™ technology. The Dominator electric heat pump system is designed to work with the existing ductwork of your gas heater and is built to fit the exact position of the heater unit in your roof space. It’s a simple swap out for a more efficient less expensive to-run electric heater.

There’s no longer a need to install a fully ducted reverse cycle system to replace your current ducted gas heater, marking a significant advancement for customers considering a switch from gas.

How It Works

The Dominator Series™ utilises all-electric reverse cycle technology, housed in an indoor unit that seamlessly fits into your ceiling space, directly replacing your existing gas heater while keeping all other components intact. It pairs effortlessly with a new Braemar reverse cycle outdoor unit, providing both heating and cooling capabilities designed to efficiently maintain your home’s comfort. To maximise your heating and cooling efficiency, consider installing a Breezair or Braemar evaporative cooler, if you don’t already have one!

The Dominator Series™ was developed in response to shifting market trends in home energy use. Many homeowners are keen to reduce their carbon footprint by adopting electric heating solutions with much higher Coefficient of Performance (CoP). In simple terms, CoP measures efficiency; the higher the CoP, the more efficient the system.

For those looking to move from gas to electric heating, the process can be disruptive and expensive – often involving the removal of the existing ducted gas heating system, ductwork, and vents, repairing plasterwork, and finally installing a new reverse-cycle ducted system. Retrofitting can be particularly challenging in older properties with site limitations.

This all-electric heating and cooling system simplifies the process with a cost-effective solution. This product offers a fresh approach to switching to electric heating and cooling while reducing the associated costs.

Indoor Unit

Convenient Size:
Made to fit in the same position as a ducted gas heater unit for easy replacement.
R32 Refrigerant:
Much more environmentally friendly with the R32 refrigerant global warming potential is 68% lower than R410A, with up to 30% reduction in charging quantity needed.
Efficient and Quiet:
The inverter technology utilises the latest EC backward curve fan to provide high static, quiet and energy-efficient airflow.
Zone Control:
Standard 4 zones and up to 8 zones available with upgrade.
Micro-channel heat exchanger:
Dominator SeriesTM is fitted with a specifically designed micro-channel heat exchanger, maximising the heating capacity and efficiency.
ZERL:
Rated to the latest zoned energy rating label standard, for different climate zones.

Outdoor Unit

Seeley’s Black Magic®:
Advanced protective coating on the outdoor coil to reduce corrosion.Three times better protection than blue fin coating.
Flexible outdoor placement:
Long pipe runs of up to 75 m allow flexibility for the location of the outdoor unit.
Slim design:
Allows more flexibility in placing an outdoor unit. Easily fits into tighter spaces.
DRED as standard:
Demand response-enabled device capability is standard.

Braemar Dominator Reverse Cycle Heating System Zone Controller

Smart and intuitive, your Braemar Zone Control controller makes operating your Braemar ducted reverse cycle air conditioner so simple. The discreet and modern design blends seamlessly into your home.

4 to 8 zones with individual temperature control.
Set different temperatures for each zone.
Ability to turn zones on and off, at the RF remote sensor, or, at the wired wall control.
5-year warranty
Each zone can be both temperature and time schedule controlled.
Prevent high power bills by setting the “SAVE” function. This function limits the upper and lower temperature settings.
The “X-Fan” function allows the indoor fan to continue after the system has been switched off in cooling mode, this helps dry the indoor heat exchanger
Optional Wi-Fi control module

Disclaimer:

1. Zoning is an optional extra. Braemar zone control kit comes standard for a 4-zone system. For systems with more than 4 zones, additional optional extra RF remote sensors are required.

FAQS

Safety

First and foremost, the Dominator Series™ has undergone thorough testing and assessment, meeting all relevant standards, including MEPS, Electrical Safety and EMC. The product rollout is being carefully managed, starting in Victoria, Australia. The Dominator Series™ is exclusively available through authorised Seeley International Dealers who have received comprehensive training in both the product’s features and installation. Our team at Harley Plumbing are an authorised installer and have been trained in all its features and benefits plus safety.

Hybrid Heating and Cooling System

While the indoor unit represents a breakthrough in heating and cooling technology, it’s paired with the proven Braemar inverter outdoor unit. This unit has been a staple of the Braemar reverse cycle range for years, providing comfort to countless Australian homes. Many homes with ducted gas heating also have evaporative cooling systems. When replacing gas heating with a Dominator Series™ heating system, we recommend homeowners keep their energy-efficient evaporative cooling. The combination of the Dominator Series™ reverse cycle heating and cooling with an existing or new Breezair or Braemar evaporative cooler creates a hybrid HVAC solution for your home.

We suggest fitting covers or caps to evaporative cooling outlets during winter to maximise heating efficiency and prevent warm air from escaping through the evaporative cooling ductwork.

How Does it Work?

The Dominator Series™ uses reverse cycle (heat pump) technology and is responsible for both heating and cooling. The unit is designed with higher heating capacities than cooling. This was a deliberate choice, recognising that the Dominator Series™ is replacing ducted gas heating systems which typically have higher capacities, ensuring homeowners’ heating needs continue to be met.

Heating: The Dominator Series™ employs a highly efficient micro-channel heat exchanger, specifically designed to maximise heating efficiency. Micro-channel heat exchangers were developed as very efficient heat rejection coils. In heating mode, the inside coil is hot while the outside coil is cold. Reverse cycle (heat pump) technology is the only technology that delivers 3 to 4 times the heat energy output compared to electrical energy input.

Cooling: In cooling mode, the internal coil chills whilst the external coil heats up. The internal coil reaches a temperature below the dew point (the temperature at which moisture forms on a cold surface, like a chilled drink), effectively removing moisture from the air. This makes it an ideal cooling solution for humid days. The Dominator Series™ also features a “DRY” mode, specifically engineered to maximise moisture removal from the air – perfect for milder yet extremely humid days.

Australian Made

The Dominator Series™ comprises two main components: an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit, meticulously designed, is manufactured and assembled in Albury, New South Wales. It incorporates both imported and locally produced components. For instance, the EC backward curved indoor fan is sourced from Germany.

Use Existing Ductwork

The Dominator Series™ is engineered to directly replace gas heating systems and can often utilise a significant portion of existing components, such as ductwork and outlets. However, this may not be suitable or beneficial in all scenarios. A thorough inspection and assessment must be conducted to determine ductwork suitability.

Several factors can influence this, including:

Quality of the existing installation
Age and condition of the ductwork. An old ducting system may not be appropriately sized for modern heating systems. Similarly, worn ducts with holes will significantly reduce efficiency and should be replaced regardless of an overall system upgrade
The current length of duct runs
The existing zoning set-up (and any potential update you may wish to make)
Location of outlets
Whether the heating and cooling upgrade forms part of a larger home renovation
Nearly every installation will require fitting a new return air filter, which is typically larger than the existing gas-ducted heater return air grille.
In cases where the ducted gas heating return grille lacked a filter, we recommend replacing the return air duct with clean, dust-free ducting from the new return air filter grille to the Dominator Series™ unit.

The quality of your duct and fittings directly impacts the energy efficiency of your new Braemar Dominator Series™. We will provide a comprehensive assessment during the quoting process to ensure your ductwork is in good condition or recommend necessary updates.

Does the Braemar Dominator SeriesTM work well when paired with evaporative cooling?

For decades, Australians have combined ducted gas heating with evaporative cooling for year-round comfort. The Dominator Series™ replaces the ducted gas heating component, delivering the best of both worlds for heating and cooling with an evaporative system. Retain all the benefits of your evaporative cooler, including higher running efficiencies and 100% fresh air ventilation throughout your home. On more humid days when evaporative cooling is less effective, you can utilise the refrigerated cooling component of your Dominator Series™.

Service Upkeep

The Dominator Series™ has similar servicing requirements to other reverse cycle (heat pump) ducted systems. We recommend annual inspections to extend the lifespan of your system and avoid costly repairs if left too late. These checks include electrical connections, refrigerant charges, ductwork connections, and ensuring the drain is clear and runs water freely. The Dominator Series™ is equipped with a pump and water level switch in the indoor unit. If the drain becomes blocked, the system will display an error and cease cooling.

Starting indoors: Owners should regularly clean their return air filter and grille. These components are vital in any reverse cycle system, trapping dust, dirt, and other particulate matter to prevent recirculation throughout your home during the air conditioning process. Cleaning these components is essential preventative maintenance that will enhance comfort and keep your unit running efficiently.

Moving outdoors: Think of your outdoor unit as needing room to ‘breathe.’ Ensure the unit is free from debris or vegetation. The efficiency can be significantly impacted when the space around the outdoor unit is cluttered, so make sure items like stacked boxes or outdoor tools are kept away. While we understand HVAC units aren’t designed to be aesthetically pleasing, never place a screen in front of the outdoor unit without consulting an expert for advice.