5 Benefits of Ducted Air Conditioning

Ducted air conditioning is a highly advanced system for managing the climate of your home. It provides complete heating and cooling solutions that can be enjoyed throughout your entire living space.

While split system air conditioners have gained popularity due to their convenience, they are only suitable for heating or cooling individual rooms or living spaces. They can leave other parts of your home vulnerable to extreme temperatures.

With ducted air conditioning, however, you can enjoy the benefits of climate control in every corner of your home. It ensures that you and your family can remain comfortable no matter where you are.

If you’re considering installing ducted air conditioning, you’ll want to make an informed decision. Before taking the plunge, let’s explore five key benefits of installing a ducted air conditioning system – along with a glance at the negatives of a ducted system.

But first, let’s ask an important question …

What is Ducted Air Conditioning?

Ducted air conditioning presents a comprehensive solution for regulating the temperature of your entire home. It operates by using an outdoor compressor and a centralised indoor unit, which can be installed either in the ceiling or under the floor.

A network of discreet air ducts connects the central unit to vents placed strategically throughout your residence. This enables you to regulate the temperature in as many rooms as you desire.

One of the advantages of ducted air conditioning is that it incorporates reverse cycle technology, which allows it to both cool and heat your home. You can easily control the temperature and settings through a wall-mounted thermostat.

Let’s examine five key benefits of ducted air conditioning.

1. The Expense is Reasonable

Ducted air conditioning is the most comprehensive and advanced climate control system available on the market. While the initial installation costs of this system may be higher than other air conditioning systems, its benefits far surpass the additional expenses.

Apart from the central unit and outdoor compressor, a ducted air conditioner requires the installation of air ducts, wiring and drainage. Additionally, the installation process may involve the removal of any existing system. The combination of these components contributes to the higher overall cost of installation.

However, it is crucial to view ducted air conditioning as a long-term investment that provides immediate returns in terms of comfort and convenience. Its exceptional performance makes it an invaluable asset to any residential property.

In terms of how much it costs to run, that depends on a number of factors, including:

• The size and type of the system
• Energy rating
• The size of the home
• Number of occupants
• Average operating temperature and
• Local electricity rates.

To calculate the potential cost, check for a printed label on the unit or online description for the system’s kilowatt usage per hour (kWh). Then determine the kWh cost from your most recent energy bill. Once you have that, estimate daily, quarterly or annual usage costs based on how long you expect to run the air conditioner.

2. Complete Climate Control

With a ducted air conditioner, you achieve complete climate control of your home. This is the key advantage of a ducted AC system.

You can enjoy your desired temperature and clean air throughout your entire home, not just in a central living area. This means you can regulate the temperature in bedrooms, dining rooms, home offices, entertainment zones and any other room you desire.

It also means you also have the simplicity of using one remote to control the heating and/or cooling in every room.

3. Ducted AC is Energy Efficient

With a ducted air conditioner, you achieve the ultimate in energy efficiency through zoning.

This is an optional feature, but one that is highly recommended for complete climate control. It allows each room to have its own ideal temperature and airflow. By using the thermostat, you can adjust the heating and cooling of each room individually to suit various members of the household. Of course, you can also turn off some zones completely if those spaces are not being used.

The control you have – meaning the temperature, airflow and the amount of rooms being heated or cooled – makes a ducted system one of the most cost-effective ways to achieve the ultimate in-home comfort.

4. Ducted Systems Look Good

Since the entire system is concealed within the roof, walls and, if necessary, even under the floor, ducted systems can seamlessly blend in with your home’s design.

Most ducted systems have a low-profile look that almost disappears into your decor. There are even small models that are ideal for apartments, townhouses and other buildings with minimal ceiling space.

The only visible aspects are the subtle vents, which can be coloured and styled to match your home’s decor.

5. You Will Boost Your Home Value

If you ever decide to put your home on the market, a ducted air conditioner is almost certain to increase its value. Many homeowners see a ducted system as a long-term investment in their property.

While a ducted air conditioner is affordable, it is still viewed as a luxury item by many people. Given the extremes of Australian weather, it’s not hard to see why a home with a ducted air conditioning system would be viewed as desirable by most home buyers.

What are the Cons of Ducted Air Conditioning?

For ducted air conditioning to work, your home needs to be a suitable environment for it. This means having enough ceiling space for the central unit and ductwork.

Certain apartments, townhouses and smaller houses may not be able to accommodate such a system. However, some buildings, such as hotels, offices and apartment buildings, come with central heating and cooling already in place, making the decision for you.

Here are some of the negatives to choosing a ducted air conditioning:

• Upfront cost – Due to the size and complexity of the system, a ducted air conditioner is usually more expensive to buy than a split system or other single-room heating and cooling options.
• Installation cost – Installing a ducted system is more invasive than installing a split system. It will take up your ceiling space and ducts will need to reach all areas of your home. This type of installation is likely to take at least a day to complete, so there are considerable labour costs.
• Expensive to operate – Without zoning, ducted air conditioning can be more expensive to run than a split system. You’ll be heating or cooling areas that you’re not using, which wastes money and energy.
• Requires extra power – Some larger ducted systems require a three-phase electricity supply, which can add to installation costs unless you already have it.
• Maintenance costs – Being a large and complex heating and cooling method, a ducted air conditioning system requires annual maintenance, including duct cleaning, which can be costly.

In Conclusion

When it comes to domestic heating and cooling, it’s important to choose the right system to suit your specific needs. Ducted air conditioning may be the ultimate choice for homeowners who are building their dream house and desire a premium air conditioning system.

However, if you live in a single-bedroom house or an open-plan apartment, a split system might be more than adequate for your requirements.

Whether you’re in the process of building a new house or renovating your current abode, it’s crucial to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option before making the commitment to buying a unit.

Therefore, it’s imperative to do your research and seek advice from professionals to make an informed decision about the type of air conditioning system that is best for your home. Making the right choice – which could well be ducted air conditioning – will guarantee that you’ll be comfortable at home for years to come, regardless of the weather outside.

Please note: This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See Cyber Air Conditioning’s Terms & Conditions here.