If you’re looking for helpful guidance on choosing between a ducted or split air conditioning system, you’re in the right place.
Ducted air conditioning sits above your ceiling and sends cool air through vents to every room. But, split systems work differently by putting separate air conditioner units on walls to cool single spaces. One covers your whole house, the other targets specific rooms.
Which one is better, though? It depends on your particular home’s needs, your usage, and your budget. That’s what we’re going to cover in this article.
QualityAC.com.au has helped Brisbane families with air conditioning since 1988, so we know what works and what doesn’t in our weather. Let’s explore how each system works to find your perfect cooling solution.
How Ducted Air Conditioning Systems Work
Since you want to learn your cooling options, ducted air conditioning systems are worth knowing about. These central air conditioning units hide in your roof space and send comfort to every room. The outdoor unit does all the cooling work using simple cooling technology.
Here’s how the process works:
- The outdoor unit takes warm air from your home and makes it cool using special liquid
- Tubes carry this cool air from the unit to each room in your house
- Vents in your ceiling or walls spread the cool air around your rooms
- Controls let you heat or cool different parts of your home when you want
Studies show that these energy-efficient systems work really well, giving you 300-600% better results than basic heating.
Now that you know about ducted systems, let’s see how split systems cool your home in a different way.
Split System Air Conditioners: Room-by-Room Cooling
Split system air conditioners work with two main parts that team up to cool your home. The outdoor unit sits outside your house, where it handles all the heavy cooling work. This connects to an indoor unit that mounts on your wall inside and delivers cool air straight to that room.
Here’s how these systems bring you comfort:
- The outdoor unit contains a compressor that pulls heat out of the air around your home
- The indoor unit or wall-mounted unit uses a fan to push this cool air into your room
- Special pipes move cooling liquid between both units, which creates the cooling effect
- Your remote control puts you in charge of temperature and fan speed whenever you need it
What makes these systems really useful is their year-round flexibility. Most reverse cycle air conditioners can heat your home in winter, then switch to cooling in summer using the same equipment. With both systems clear in your mind, it’s time to see how they stack up against each other.
Ducted vs. Split Air Conditioning: 5 Key Differences
The differences between these air conditioning options affect your wallet, comfort, and daily life in ways you might not expect. Each system brings its own advantages and challenges to Brisbane homes.
Upfront Investment: What You’ll Actually Pay
Ducted air conditioning systems cost between $15,000 and $25,000 for most Brisbane homes. However, this investment adds real value to your property when you sell. Split system air conditioners cost much less at $1,500 to $4,000 per unit. Conversely, you’ll need multiple units to cool your whole home, which adds up fast.
Running Costs: Your Monthly Energy Bills
Energy efficiency plays a huge role in your power bills each month. High-rated ducted systems with good zoning can actually use less power than running multiple split systems together. On the other hand, a single split system air conditioner in one room uses very little energy compared to cooling your whole house.
Coverage Power: Whole Home vs Room-by-Room
Ducted systems give you the same comfortable temperature in every room of your house. In contrast, split systems let you cool only the rooms you’re using right now. Multiple rooms need separate indoor units, but you get perfect control over each space.
Installation Reality: What Happens in Your Home
Installing ducted systems requires more roof space and time to run ducts through your ceiling. Meanwhile, split systems go up quickly with just some small holes in your wall for pipes. Your home stays mostly normal during a split system install.
Long-term Value: Maintenance and Lifespan
Here’s a pro tip from our experience: ducted air conditioning systems typically last 15 to 20 years with regular care, while split systems average 10 to 15 years before needing replacement.
Now that you’ve seen both sides of the coin, there’s one final piece of the puzzle to consider.
Ready to Choose Your Ideal System with Quality Air?
Well, you’ve got the complete picture, and the choice becomes clearer when you consider Brisbane’s unique climate. Our hot, humid summers demand air conditioning that handles the pressure while keeping energy bills reasonable.
Ducted systems win for whole-home comfort, especially in larger Brisbane homes where consistent temperature matters most. If you have split systems, upgrading makes sense because you’ll eliminate multiple wall units, reduce energy consumption, and enjoy superior comfort during Brisbane’s intense summer months.
Drawing from our experience, Quality Air has been Brisbane’s trusted choice since 1988. Our exclusive 10-year warranty and partnerships with premium brands like Fujitsu, Mitsubishi Electric, and Daikin give you the best options available.
Contact Quality Air today for your free consultation and discover why Brisbane families have trusted us for over 35 years.
