Is Ducted Air Conditioning Worth Buying?

Short answer is yes. Ducted reverse-cycle air conditioning is worth it for many Australian homes that want whole-house comfort, clean aesthetics and smart zoning, provided the system is sized, designed and installed properly. It costs more upfront than a couple of splits, but zoning and good design can keep running costs sensible while lifting comfort across multiple rooms.  

How Ducted Air Conditioning Works 

A ducted reverse-cycle heat pump uses an outdoor unit (the compressor) and an indoor fan-coil concealed in the ceiling or underfloor. Insulated ducts distribute air to supply vents in each room, and a return-air grille draws air back to the fan-coil through a filter. In cooling mode, the system moves heat from indoors to outdoors; in heating mode, it moves heat from outdoors to indoors. That’s why reverse-cycle systems deliver 3–6 units of heat/cool per unit of electricity.  

Typical locations: Fan-coil in roof space (common) or underfloor (homes on stumps). Outdoor unit on a slab or wall brackets away from bedroom windows to reduce noise complaints. Check local noise rules and place the unit thoughtfully.

Ducted Air Conditioning Cost in Australia 

Ballpark supply & install: 

• Small home / 2–3 bed single-storey: from ~$6,000–$11,000+ 
• Typical 3–4 bed home: ~$11,000–$14,000+ 
• Larger / complex (double-storey, limited access, high outlets): $15,000–$30,000+ 
  Final price depends on design complexity, brand, controller and electrical upgrades.  

What drives cost 

• Capacity (kW) & static pressure (ESP): Bigger homes and longer duct runs need higher capacity and often high-static indoor units.  
• Ceiling access & roof space: Tight roof cavities or crane lifts increase labour and time. 
• Electrical: Dedicated circuits; sometimes three-phase for larger systems. 
• Outlets & zoning hardware: More outlets and room-level controls add cost. 
• Controller ecosystem: Wi-Fi, app control, and premium zone controllers cost more. 

Typical inclusions vs extras 

Rebates & programs: Some states offer incentives for efficient reverse-cycle upgrades (varies by state and product list). Check VIC’s VEU discounts, NSW Household Energy Saving Upgrades, and the ACT Sustainable Household support.  

Ducted Air Conditioning Running Costs 

What drives your bill: climate zone, set-point temperature, zoned usage, home insulation, star rating (Zoned Energy Rating Label), electricity tariff, and duct leakage. Each degree of extra cooling/heating can add ~5–10% to energy use, so sensible set-points matter.  

Hourly cost (indicative): 
A quick way to think about it is Input power (kW) × tariff ($/kWh). Input power roughly equals output capacity ÷ EER/COP. For modern reverse-cycle systems, seasonal efficiency often lands around 3–5.  

• Example A — family evening (cooling): 
  10 kW of cooling needed / EER 3.5 ≈ 2.9 kW input. At $0.30–$0.40/kWh, cost ≈ $0.87–$1.16 per hour. For 4 hours: $3.50–$4.65. (Tariffs vary by retailer/region; see the AER Default Market Offer for context.)  
• Example B — WFH day (heating): 
  8 kW heating load / COP 4.0 ≈ 2.0 kW input. At $0.30–$0.40/kWh, cost ≈ $0.60–$0.80 per hour for living areas only if zoning is used.  

Compared with a single split in one room: 
A 3.5 kW split with EER ~4 draws ~0.9 kW: $0.27–$0.36/hr at the same tariff. So if you usually condition one room, a split is cheaper to run; if you need three or more rooms at once, a zoned ducted can be efficient and more comfortable overall.  

Tip: Check the Zoned Energy Rating Label for realistic annual energy use by climate (hot/warm/cold zones). More stars = less energy.

By dwelling type: 

• Apartments: Strata rules and space limit ducted; splits or multi-splits usually the go.  
• Townhouses/single-storey: Either can work; ducted shines if you want whole-home comfort. 
• Double-storey: Ducted with zoning is popular; plan return-air and outlets per floor carefully.

Ducted Air Conditioning Zoning 

What is zoning? Dividing the home into zones and opening/closing motorised dampers to condition only the spaces you’re using. Day/Night layouts (living vs bedrooms) are common; 2–4 zones is typical. Room-level sensors/controllers can fine-tune temperatures. Zoning reduces run time and speeds up comfort.

Thermostats & Smart Control 

Placement: Mount the main controller away from direct sun and drafts. Wi-Fi/app features let you schedule, use geofencing, and check usage. Multi-sensor setups help prevent over-conditioning and balance airflow. 

Tip: Set 24–26 °C in summer; 18–20 °C in winter. Each degree outside those bands can add ~5–10% to energy use. Use scheduling and zoning to limit runtime. 

Ducted Air Conditioning Design & Layout 

Good design is the difference between whisper-quiet comfort and “why is that room stuffy?” 

• Load-based sizing (kW): Allow for area, orientation, glazing, insulation and occupancy. 
• External static pressure (ESP): Longer/complex duct runs need high-static indoor units (e.g., up to 150–250 Pa on some models) to push air quietly without “whoosh” or whistling. 
• Duct sizes/lengths & diffuser types: Correct sizing keeps air speeds low and noise down; use appropriate ceiling diffusers or linear bars. 
• Return-air grille & filter access: Central hallway returns are common; ensure door undercuts or transfer grilles so air can flow back quietly with doors closed. Keep filters accessible for cleaning.  
• Duct insulation (R-values) & sealing: Follow NCC 2022 guidance and AS/NZS 4859.1. For housing, flexible ductwork is commonly R1.0 minimum, with higher R-values required depending on location and climate; aim for tight joints to cut leakage.  
• Commissioning checks: Airflow balance, static pressure, damper operation, condensate drainage test, thermostat calibration. 

Builder/renovator checklist 

• Confirm manhole/access big enough to get components through (installers often plan around ~600 × 600 mm openings). 
• Keep clear service paths to the indoor unit and return-air filter. 
• Allow outdoor-unit clearances per manufacturer and consider local noise rules.  

Ducted Air Conditioning Installation 

What a standard install includes: Indoor fan-coil, outdoor unit on slab/brackets, insulated ductwork and outlets, one return-air grille with filter, a basic controller, refrigeration piping, electrical connection, testing and commissioning. 

Typical crew/time: 2–3 techs; one to two days for a standard single-storey install (complex jobs take longer). 

Site prep: Clear the roof access; confirm manhole size; ensure switchboard capacity; decide outdoor-unit spot. 
 

Day-of timeline: 

• Pre-start briefing and safety checks 
• Set indoor & outdoor units 
• Run and hang ducts (insulated) 
•  Wire, vacuum and charge lines 
• Balance airflows 
• Commission 
• Homeowner handover (warranty, manuals, maintenance schedule).  
  
  

Ducted Air Conditioning Brands in Australia 

A quick look at five widely available brands with strong local support: 

• Daikin: Extensive ducted range including Slim-Line for tight roof spaces; strong installer network and controller options.  
• Mitsubishi Electric: Multiple ducted series, high external static pressure up to 150–250 Pa depending on model; good Wi-Fi integrations.  
• Fujitsu: High-static single- and three-phase ranges (e.g., 7.1–15.5 kW); zone-ready, DR-enabled; robust hot-weather specs.  
• Panasonic: R32 high-static ducted including Comfort Cloud app and nanoe™ X air quality features on some lines.  
• ActronAir (Aussie brand): Known for ESP and models built for Australian conditions; strong high-static options.  

When comparing, look at capacity range, ESP/high-static models, warranty, the controller ecosystem, and parts/service availability in your area (ask your installer about spares lead times).  

Ducted Air Conditioning Maintenance & Lifespan 

• Routine: Vacuum the return-air grille, clean/replace filters, keep outdoor coils clear, and check for sweaty ducts or leaks. Dirty filters cut airflow and raise energy use; cleaning can save ~5–15% on consumption.  
• Service: Book annual professional servicing to check refrigerant charge, electricals, condensate drains and damper operation.  
• Lifespan: With decent design and maintenance, ducted systems often last ~12–20 years. Poor design, clogged filters or leaky ducts shorten life and raise bills.  

Is Ducted Right for You?  

• How many rooms used at once? 
  • Mostly 1–2 rooms → splits or multi-split. 
  • 3+ rooms regularly → ducted with zoning. 
• Home size/storeys & access: Tight roof space or apartments favour splits; single/double-storey houses favour ducted. 
• Insulation & air sealing: Better envelope = smaller kW and quieter ducts. 
• Budget & resale: Ducted lifts whole-home appeal; splits are modular and staged. 
• Solar/battery: Ducted + zoning pairs well with daytime solar. 

Size it Right, Install it Right, and Keep it Running Right 

Worth it? If you want whole-home comfort with a clean look and you regularly use several rooms, yes—ducted reverse-cycle delivers. The key is right-sizing, thoughtful zoning, well-insulated ducts, and a tidy, code-compliant install. Use set-points like 24–26 °C in summer and 18–20 °C in winter, and clean filters so you’re not paying for wasted airflow.  

Ready for year-round comfort? 
Book a fixed-price quote with My Airconditioning Mate. We offer licensed & insured technicians, tidy workmanship, supply-and-install or install-only, clear inclusions/exclusions, and easy online booking. No upselling, just dependable service.