You want to find the perfect climate control solution for your home.
But there’s just a bit of a snag: you can’t seem to choose between a ducted air conditioner and a split system.
Ducted systems are a great fit for you if you’d like to maintain the same temperature across all rooms in your home. Split systems are better suited to buyers who want to be able to set different target temperatures for different rooms.
When deciding, consider your property size, cooling needs, and budget. Both systems also differ in terms of air con installation ease, energy efficiency, maintenance demands and aesthetic priorities. This article will walk you through everything you need to make a decision.
| Question | Ducted System | Split System |
| Can one system condition several rooms? | Yes | Usually one room per unit |
| Can different areas be controlled separately? | Yes, with zoning | Yes, with separate units |
| Does it require ductwork? | Yes | No |
| Is the indoor unit visible? | Mostly concealed | Usually visible |
| Is installation extensive? | Usually | Usually less so |
| Does it need ceiling or underfloor space? | Usually | No |
| Is it suited for whole-home climate control? | Yes | Yes, with multiple units |
A ducted air conditioner is a single, central AC that uses a network of ducts hidden in your roof cavity, walls or floors to distribute cold air throughout multiple rooms in your home. When you use ducted ACs with basic zoning settings, each active zone’s temperature is roughly the same because it’s centrally controlled. That means if you turn on air conditioning in the living room and the master bedroom and set a target temperature of 23°C, the AC will work to bring both rooms to 23°C.
Some modern ducted air conditioners come with advanced zoning capabilities that let you set different target temperatures for different zones. One zone can be at 23°C while another is at 25°C.
A ducted AC has four main components working together:
A split-system AC also has two separate indoor and outdoor units. The difference is, it handles only one zone instead of multiple zones.
In single-split systems, there’s:
Each zone in the home has its own indoor and outdoor unit pair, and both are connected through a small hole in your wall using insulated tubes and electrical cables.
Multi-split systems work a little differently. Instead of a dedicated outdoor unit for every indoor unit, there’s a central outdoor unit that discharges all of the hot air collected through multiple indoor units. Each zone has a separate indoor unit but all indoor units are connected to a single outdoor unit, which houses the outdoor compressor.
Installers work a bit harder when setting up a ducted air conditioning system. Over the course of three to four days, a team of appropriately licensed professionals will:
Split system installation is generally faster than ducted AC installation. Professionals with the required licences can finish installing one split-system air conditioner in 3–6 hours. The process typically involves:
It depends on the scope of the installation. A single split system is typically quicker to install because it doesn’t require ductwork. However, installing several split systems for multiple rooms can take a similar amount of time as a ducted system.
Upfront AC costs usually vary, depending on a few factors.
How much either AC type costs to run over time depends on how you use them and how energy-efficient they are. Split systems are generally more energy-efficient than ducted systems because they cater to a single zone at a time and, by default, use far less energy than a unit conditioning an entire home.
Ducted systems usually consume more power during operation since they’re designed for whole-home climate control. With modern zoning features, though, you can condition only occupied rooms rather than heating your entire property. This targeted approach can reduce energy consumption compared to running the system at full capacity.
Reverse-cycle models of ducted and split system ACs can deliver both heating and cooling. However, neither is inherently better than the other. Your AC’s performance depends on whether the AC size is right for your space, room usage patterns, baseline climate, and other factors.
You need to clean the air filters in both ducted and split systems regularly. Professional servicing is also recommended to keep the system running properly.
The difference is usually access. A split system’s air filter is usually located inside the wall-mounted indoor unit, so it’s easier to access and clean on your own. In a ducted system, the filter is often fitted behind the return-air grille, which may be in the ceiling. That can make cleaning less convenient, especially if the grille is hard to reach.
Servicing a ducted system may also involve checking the airflow, drains, ductwork and zoning controls, depending on the system.
Both systems can last 10 to 15 years with proper maintenance.
Ducted installations remain nearly invisible. You only see the ceiling vents indoors. Split systems are much more noticeable since every room has its own indoor unit installed. Thankfully, modern versions come in sleeker and more compact designs that elevate the interior decor of your space.
Modern split systems can be very quiet indoors, particularly when you’re running them at low speeds. Ducted systems can also be quiet because the main indoor unit is concealed and air is delivered through vents. In both cases, noise levels depend on the model, fan speed, system design and installation quality.
Neither a ducted air conditioner nor a split system is right for every home. The best option for your property depends on how your home is designed and how you plan to use the AC.
Before making recommendations, a licensed air conditioning professional will look at the size of your home, ceiling or underfloor access, insulation, room layout and how often different areas are used. They’ll also consider your preferences, including whether you want whole-home climate control, room-by-room flexibility, zoning options or a simpler installation process.
If you need help choosing between ducted and split system air conditioning, get in touch. Our team includes licensed electricians and air conditioning specialists, and we have over 20 years of experience installing both ducted and split system air conditioners.
When you fill our contact form, we’ll recommend an air conditioning setup that suits your home, budget and comfort needs based on details you provide. Request your free quote today.
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