Most Australians are aware of the different types of heating and cooling systems they can install in their homes, but not everyone knows the specific features of each that make one better than the other in a particular property.
For instance, will you benefit from having split-system air conditioning if your home boasts a large open-space living room? Or do you really need to splash on ducted air conditioning if you intend to heat continuously just your baby’s room while enjoying your fireplace in the lounge room on a chilly evening?
Well, this post will try to give you a clearer picture of the differences between these two heating options, their pros and cons, as well, so you can make an informed decision when the time to choose the right air-con system comes.
So if you:
Then, you’ve come to the right place.
Let’s make one thing clear here that a contemporary ducted air conditioning system may be often referred to as central heating, but as the name suggests, it actually conditions the indoor air to whatever temperature you want, due to its reverse-cycle mechanism of working. This means that you can both heat your home and keep it nice and cool during the hot summer months. And this is not all, air conditioning also means that the air quality and the humidity levels can be also controlled in your home or place of business.
So, what exactly is a ducted air conditioning system?
The airflow enters each room through small vents. A thermostat controls the temperature, as well as the airflow to each room by closing off or opening up a damper, fitted within the ductwork. The latter applies to systems with a zoning functionality, meaning one can “shut off” a room from the system at any time and thus, use the ducted air conditioning in an energy-efficient way.
Like anything, a ducted air conditioning system has its advantages and disadvantages. Some of these can only be considered as such when taking into account the specific type of property (regarding structure and size) that the system is going to be installed in.
Right then, let’s have a more detailed look at the pros and cons of ducted air conditioning!
Split-system air conditioning also consists of two units – an exterior one, installed outside, and an interior air conditioner, mounted on a wall in a said room. The two units are connected by piping. The system can cool or heat individual rooms in your property. The interior unit and the exterior unit (condenser) have air-filtering properties.
Another important thing to mention is that split-system air conditioning can be standard or inverter, with the latter being much more efficient in terms of energy consumption and of course, cost.
The difference between the two is that standard air-con units have two settings with regards to the compressor motor’s speed – on and off. So, when the desired temperature is reached, the motor stops until it needs to start again, when the room gets below or above the initially set temperature. The going-back-into-motion process of the motor uses up quite a bit of energy, making the system less efficient.
Luckily, these days manufacturers focus on producing inverter split systems, where the motor never switches off but is regulated via its useful functionality that graduates the speed. Or in other words, inverter split-system air conditioning uses less energy (up to 30% less) than fixed speed split systems.
Now, let’s see what are the pros and cons of split-system air conditioning, so you can have a better understanding if you decide to go down this road.
Now that you understand the pros and cons of both types of air conditioning systems, let’s draw up a final comparison between the two for an easier reference.
| Features | Split-system AC | Ducted AC |
| Cost | Varies, depending on the model, type, brand, various ratings and features (ex: HEPA filter), as well as on the number of indoor/outdoor units you need (price per unit from $600 to $2000 and higher). | Depends on the size of your home and the complexity of the job (ex: a two-storey house with vertical ducts) – from $8,000 to $10,000 – starting price for the installation. |
| Aesthetics | Both the exterior and the interior of your property will be “affected” by having multiple units mounted on and taking up your wall space. | The ducts and interior unit are out of sight and only the small vent registers will be visible indoors. |
| Property size | Small apartments and houses may benefit from having a couple of AC units, especially if the owners prefer to selectively heat/cool individual rooms. | Properties with 3 bedrooms and more are better off with a ducted system, providing they have the space to install it under the floor or roof. |
| Climate control | Each unit is controlled independently via an individual remote control. | Modern ducted systems have zoning functionality, so one can stop the airflow to a said room. |
| Maintenance | Split-system AC is easy to install, but it requires regular cleaning maintenance and annual servicing to avoid breakage and ensure good indoor air quality | Ducted system installation requires expertise, planning and more effort, and annual servicing and maintenance are also strongly recommended |
| Advantages | Affordable Easy to install Quiet Versatile Air-filtering properties Energy-efficient | Ideal for large properties Long lifespan Inconspicuous Good climate control Increased property value Not noisy |
| Drawbacks | Shorter lifespan Not that aesthetic Noisy condensers Potential respiratory issues Not ideal for big properties | Significant investment Good for some properties May need interior changes Potential energy loss /ducts/ Harder to install |
So, you can guess now that before investing in the most appropriate air conditioning system for your place, you should take into consideration a few points. Let’s list them below so that you can easily make up your mind.
These factors will help you weigh out all the pros and cons of getting one or the other type of AC system, but we couldn’t stress enough that it’s important to seek an expert, who can consult you professionally on the matter. A specialist will be able to advise you on the best size, capacity and model of AC unit for each room, based on how big it is, and tell you if you’ll be better off with having a ducted system installed and so on.
Contact a professional technician today! Let’s see which AC system fits your home best!
The answer to this question is strictly individual, but we’ll try to clarify a few price-formation factors for you that you can keep in mind. Or in other words, ask yourself the following questions. Their answers will narrow down your options, in terms of what type of system to choose, as well as how much it would cost you.
| 1. Is your house one-storey or it has two/three floors? | 6. Do you need to heat/cool a large open-space room? |
| 2. Do you need to heat/keep cool your entire home at all times? | 7. Do you use other heating/cooling sources? |
| 3. How many rooms are you planning to be air-conditioned? | 8. What is the local climate? |
| 4. Are the selected rooms south-facing, north-facing, etc.? | 9. How well is your house insulated? |
| 5. Do you have sufficient room under your roof or floor? |
Here’s just an example of what split-system AC and ducted AC can cost you:
If you decide on ducted air conditioning, you’ll be looking to pay about $7,000 for a smaller single-storey place 3-bedroom single-storey house and easily around $10,000-$12,000 for a larger two-storey property.
The ducted air conditioning installation cost will depend on the number of zones you are going to have, on whether you’d need vertical ducting installed and concealed (droppers), on the location of the system (in the underfloor space or under the roof), on the size of your property (the total length of the ductwork), on the model of the system and its advanced features (air-filtering qualities and humidity control properties) and so on.
How much it costs to install a split-system air-conditioning, on the other hand, will depend on the number of units you plan to have, their brand, capacity, size, model, ratings and advanced features they come with. Of course, the more interior units you need, the higher the cost.
The price per unit can be anything from $600 to $2,000 – $3,000 and even higher for a high-capacity air conditioner.
Installation cost will come on top and it will depend, again on the number of units you need mounting indoors and outdoors, as well as on the complexity of the job (ex: height of the building, access to the exterior installation site, etc.). For instance, a multi-unit split-system AC requires the installation of just one condenser (the exterior body), so naturally, this will be reflected in the final cost.
Want to have the right AC system installed in your property? Get in touch with a specialist to take care of this task!
Did you find this article helpful? Have you got a better idea now on what type of AC system you should invest in? Please, share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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