How Does Ducted Air Conditioning Work?

Phill Crawley

Smarter Air & Electrical

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When you’re suffering through a heatwave, don’t just sit in front of your old energy-hungry and noisy air conditioning unit waiting many hours for the room to cool down. These days, energy saving inverter ducted air conditioning units can keep a few rooms or many rooms at your happy temperature in both summer and winter both quietly & efficiently. Understanding how ducted aircon works and also how to use your ducted system effectively can be of great benefit to your comfort level at home and also your quarterly electricity bills!

 

How Does Ducted Air Conditioning Work?

How Does Ducted Air Conditioning Work, is a good question. Ducted air conditioners create cool airflow through your home from a compressor condensing unit that sits outside of your house, attached to an inside fan coil unit, found inside the roof cavity of your home.

Ductwork runs through the home and delivers the cool air via discreet round outlets in the ceiling of each zone. Nowadays, ducted air conditioners are also commonly called ducted reverse-cycle air conditioning units, this is because they also warm your home during the cooler winter months.

 

How Ducted Aircon Works For Whole House Cooling/Heating

ducted aircon plan

Now I know what you are thinking! How Does Ducted Air Conditioning Work? How can a single large ducted air conditioner cool my entire home efficiently? The answer is simple. You can opt for a smart zone inverter ducted air conditioning system that allows you to control the amount of cooling in each zone of the house. This means that you can constantly keep the areas you’re utilizing cool, while keeping the ducted air conditioning system off in other zones of the house.

Another advantage of the ducted air conditioning system is that they’re virtually silent. As the compressor is located outside and the fan unit is hidden away in your ceiling space, usually over a living area, you won’t hear it at night. And you certainly don’t have to worry about the overwhelming sound of old-style package aircon units or ‘window rattlers’ as some Brisbane residents call them.

 

The Comprehensive Guide to Ducted Air Conditioning Installation

Ducted air conditioning is a popular choice for heating and cooling homes, especially in areas like Brisbane where the climate demands a reliable temperature control solution throughout the year. But what does the installation process involve? Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Site Assessment of the Home: Before installation, professional contractors assess the property to determine the best system for your needs. This includes:
    • Measuring each room to determine the total area to be heated or cooled & discuss how you plan to use the system eg what is your ideal temperature, how many rooms or “zones” will you run at the same time?
    • Inspecting your electrical switchboard to ensure you have a sufficiently size mains cable, if not a mains cable upgrade may be required.

      The largest single phase ducted air conditioning units available are from Panasonic & Mitsubishi Electric who offer an 18kW single-phase unit, if you need a larger unit than this you will require a three-phase upgrade.

    • Evaluating the space in your roof cavity to determine which brands of air conditioner will fit with your roof truss design. All brands of units are different shapes and sizes so as an example a 16kW Toshiba may not fit but a 16kW Mitsubishi Electric might fit perfectly.
    • Determine a suitable location for the outdoor unit where the noise will not affect your family or your neighbours eg it’s best to avoid placing your outdoor unit too close to a bedroom!
    • Check the ceiling material – Plasterboard or Gyprock ceilings can easily and safely be cut to accommodate the new air con grilles easily however asbestos and fiber cement sheeting can require specialised equipment and licensed specialists.
    •  Work the best location for your return air grille, we suggest keeping these in hallways out of sight as much as possible but away from bedrooms to reduce the chance of hearing the air being pulled through the filters.
  2. Selection of the Right System: Based on the assessment, experts choose a ducted system that fits your home’s size and cooling requirements. Options like MyAir by Advantage Air offer advanced zoning capabilities, smartphone control & individual temperature control for personalized comfort.
  3. Detailed Proposal and Recommendations: A comprehensive written proposal and recommendations are provided, outlining the system’s features, benefits, and costs.
  4. Installation of Ductwork: If your home lacks pre-installed ductwork, contractors will install the air delivery system comprising of flexible duct and other components ready to connect them to the ducted air conditioning fan coil unit in the roof space.
  5. Setting Up the Cooling Units: This involves placing the compressor/condensing unit in the decided location and getting the indoor fan coil unit into the roof, then connecting them together with insulated copper pipe.
  6. Testing and Calibration: After installation, the system is evacuated to remove moisture from the copper pipes prior to the refrigerant gas is released into the system. Once the is  done  your system will be thoroughly tested to ensure optimal performance.  
  7. Ongoing Support and Maintenance: Quality installers services often include ongoing support and maintenance to keep your system running smoothly. Beware of companies that only offer installation or you might be left trying to find someone to repair your system should it breakdown.

By understanding the process and working with experienced professionals, you can enjoy the benefits of a ducted air conditioning system tailored to your home’s unique needs.

 

Smart Zone Control

Ducted air conditioning with individual room temperature sensors

Why not get back from work and be welcomed home with a evenly cooled and dehumidified house!

When it comes to zoning your ducted air conditioning system there are many options. However, the leader in Brisbane is the locally designed and supported MyAir system by Advantage Air which offers a few unique advantages such as:

  • The ability to set different temperatures in each area
  • Smart device control with free Apple and Android apps
  • An 8-Inch touch screen that doubles as a smart home tablet that is permanently powered!
  • Receive notifications when the temperature in your suburb reaches a predetermined temperature. It can even turn your air conditioner ON for you.
  • Google Home & Amazon Alexa integration
  • Set one thermostat or all thermostats as the main sensor, you choose between the ultimate in energy efficiency or comfort.
  • Helpful local Brisbane support from MyTeam by Advantage Air.

 

ducted airconditioning works
Invest with the Ducted Aircon Experts

With the average ducted air conditioning system costing around AUD $13,500 fully installed, it’s a not a decision to be taken lightly but it will almost certainly add value to your home. While keeping comfortable is important, when investing in such a large home appliance it’s important to do your research first!

Always ensure you get an expert installation from a local Brisbane installer that really knows their stuff, supplies quality brands and guarantees their work for at least 10 years.

If you want to know more about How Does Ducted Air Conditioning Work or you wish to get more information on our Brisbane ducted air-con installation service, please contact us via our website or phone us today at 1300 476 421.

Smarter Air ARE YOUR LOCAL air conditioning SPECIALISTS

Looking for a reliable local air conditioning installer or repairer for your Brisbane or Gold Coast home?

Smarter Air & Electrical is a small business run by two friends who are passionate about making people more comfortable. We have over 22 years of expertise in installing air conditioning in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Greater Brisbane, Ipswich, and the Gold Coast are among our service areas. We’re Brisbane’s leading provider of cutting-edge, high-quality ducted air conditioning systems.

Call Smarter Air & Electrical on 1300 476 421 or fill out the form below to learn more about air conditioning installation and service that will exceed your expectations.

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fooman chew
We just had our unit installed a few days ago and wow...what a difference it has made. The process was so easy from start ...
fooman chew
We just had our unit installed a few days ago and wow...what a difference it has made. The process was so easy from start to finish. Alex was happy to run us through every system until we found exactly what we needed. The officecwas a pleasure to deal with. The installers, led by Ben were so considerate and professional and took such great pride in their work. I can't thank Ben and his team enough. They did a brilliant fit out, cleaned so thoroughly and explained all the tech so simply. I truely recommend these guys and hopefully you get Ben and his team for your fit out.
fooman chew
fooman chew
Emily Gotting
We cannot rate this company enough! Louis, Jayden, Aidan and Wayne were awesome, really professional and treated our home brilliantly whilst installing the ducted aircon ...
Emily Gotting
We cannot rate this company enough! Louis, Jayden, Aidan and Wayne were awesome, really professional and treated our home brilliantly whilst installing the ducted aircon and removing two opd split systems. The ducted system itself is so much more efficient than the two split systems we had. This company was great to deal with from the start at the quote phase, to site visit and all the way to the installation part. 5 stars. Would recommend.
Emily Gotting
Emily Gotting
Donna Tummers
Highly recommend Jack and the team they installed our ducted air condition today. The whole experience was above and beyond our expectations and we believe ...
Donna Tummers
Highly recommend Jack and the team they installed our ducted air condition today. The whole experience was above and beyond our expectations and we believe the whole experience was outstanding a wonderful,thoughtful and professional team. We are so appreciative to all the team at smarter air and electrical what a wonderful experience we had can not thank you all enough. Thank you to the team and merry Xmas
Donna Tummers
Donna Tummers
Shannon Terese
We had ducted air conditioning installed and the entire experience was excellent. From the initial quote to the final install, communication was clear and honest ...
Shannon Terese
We had ducted air conditioning installed and the entire experience was excellent. From the initial quote to the final install, communication was clear and honest and this close to Christmas extremely efficient service. The installers were professional, efficient, and were extremely polite and well mannered on site. The system runs quietly and cools the house perfectly. Would highly recommend to anyone considering ducted air from Smarter Air & Electrical.
Shannon Terese
Shannon Terese
Michelle Welch
My husband and I can't speak highly enough about the team from Smarter Air & Electrical. Great communication and information from Alex in sales. Jack ...
Michelle Welch
My husband and I can't speak highly enough about the team from Smarter Air & Electrical. Great communication and information from Alex in sales. Jack who came to quote and do the site inspection was such a nice guy and was so helpful. On the day of installation, Haydyn and his team arrived right on time. They did an amazing job and left everything so tidy and clean when they left. We were so impressed with how professional the whole team was. We would highly recommend this company if you're looking for a ducted air conditioning system. Thanks guys!
Michelle Welch
Michelle Welch
Dane B
Absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish. From receiving a quote with multiple options and add-ons providing transparency and accurate figures for pricing. The initial ...
Dane B
Absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish. From receiving a quote with multiple options and add-ons providing transparency and accurate figures for pricing. The initial site visit occurred quickly. After this we had an initial install date booked which I had to change and Smarter Air were extremely accommodating with a date change. On the day of installation, Joey and the team arrived on time, completed the job to a fantastic standard, left the house very clean, and explained how everything worked. All the guys who worked on the job were absolute champions. Best experience.
Dane B
Dane B
Sharon Butler
Jack and his team were so helpful, friendly and professional. They worked efficiently and cleaned up and left my house looking perfect. I love the ...
Sharon Butler
Jack and his team were so helpful, friendly and professional. They worked efficiently and cleaned up and left my house looking perfect. I love the way the air conditioning looks and fits in with the house .I have never had air conditioning before and I am so happy and grateful to have air conditioning for the summer . I could not recommend Smarter Air and Electrical more highly. First class service in every aspect from the initial consultation to the finished product !
Sharon Butler
Sharon Butler
Michael&Leanne O'bryan
Huge thank you to Ben and Sam for an amazing ducted aircon installation! Super professional, on time and so easy to deal with. The whole ...
Michael&Leanne O'bryan
Huge thank you to Ben and Sam for an amazing ducted aircon installation! Super professional, on time and so easy to deal with. The whole process was smooth and stress-free and the end result is perfect. Even on one of the hottest days, they powered through without complaint and still delivered top-quality work. Highly recommend these guys, absolute legends!
Michael&Leanne O'bryan
Michael&Leanne O'bryan
Neil Ackerman
Absolutely fantastic experience with Smarter Air & Electrical. From the first site visit, Ben (legend) was friendly, knowledgeable, and great to...
Neil Ackerman
Absolutely fantastic experience with Smarter Air & Electrical. From the first site visit, Ben (legend) was friendly, knowledgeable, and great to deal with. No sales pressure at any point—just honest advice, clear communication, and a genuine focus on what suited us best. The whole process was smooth and well-organised, with everything running on time and as promised. On installation day, Phil (one of the directors) was on-site to double-check plans and talk through any technical details or adjustments which was a great touch and showed how much they care about getting things right. The team was respectful, efficient, and left everything tidy. They clearly take pride in their work. The result is brilliant—clean install, great system, and total peace of mind. Highly recommend them for a stress-free, professional experience.
Neil Ackerman
Neil Ackerman
Ted Carter
Amanda told me she was sending her best tradie, Ben, who was punctual, professional, and polite. Ben, ensured the job was turned out as if ...
Ted Carter
Amanda told me she was sending her best tradie, Ben, who was punctual, professional, and polite. Ben, ensured the job was turned out as if it was work on his own home, and then educated my wife on the operation of our new aircon. In short, Ben is an LBW, ( living bloody wonder) and an asset to the business, and his offsider, Sam, a good bloke, with 2 ears, both of which seem to work.
Ted Carter
Ted Carter

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