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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Jason Gent
These guys were amazing to deal with, I can see why they have all 5 star reviews. Great communication, value, price and service. Every team member ...
Jason Gent
These guys were amazing to deal with, I can see why they have all 5 star reviews. Great communication, value, price and service. Every team member from sales to admin/ scheduling and installers were prompt, courteous and a pleasure to deal with. The whole process from start to finish was flawless, thanks again!
Jason Gent
Jason Gent
Aftaar Atik
A well deserved 5 🌟 rating to Smarter AIR & Electrical for a Samsung Ducted Systems. From initiation to completion everything was a breeze...
Aftaar Atik
A well deserved 5🌟 rating to Smarter AIR & Electrical for a Samsung Ducted Systems. From initiation to completion everything was a breeze. These guys are the best in Brisbane and I highly recommend them for all your air-conditioning requirements. Benji and team showed up on time and did a amazing job,also cleaned up the site.
Aftaar Atik
Aftaar Atik
D Llyd
Clean looking finish. Quick install. Professional from start to finish! Highly recommended if you're considering ducted air-conditioning.
D Llyd
Clean looking finish. Quick install. Professional from start to finish! Highly recommended if you're considering ducted air-conditioning.
D Llyd
D Llyd
Nicole & Brindley Rouse
Huge thanks to Benji and the team at Smarter Air Electrical for an awesome job installing our new aircon! From start to finish, they...
Nicole & Brindley Rouse
Huge thanks to Benji and the team at Smarter Air Electrical for an awesome job installing our new aircon! From start to finish, they were professional, efficient, and really took care in everything they did. Even the apprentices were fantastic—you could see how well they worked together, and the whole team just got stuck in and got the job done. They were careful around the house, cleaned up after themselves, and made the whole process super easy for us. A special thanks to Amanda in the office for always keeping us informed. We are very happy! Thanks for making our days a lot cooler 🙂
Nicole & Brindley Rouse
Nicole & Brindley Rouse
Philip Elisara
Excellent service from Alex and Amanda in the office communication was on point always kept us up to date with what was going on and ...
Philip Elisara
Excellent service from Alex and Amanda in the office communication was on point always kept us up to date with what was going on and talking us through products etc. To the install team Led by Benji and his team the boys were respectful cleaned up and did an excellent job. Also a mention to Jake the electrician as well thanks guys the best experience with any company hands down. We will be recommending the team to anyone after ducted aircon.
Philip Elisara
Philip Elisara
Kayley Parkinson
We couldn't be happier with our new ducted air conditioning system. Alex, Louie and the team at Smarter Air and Electrical were amazing to deal ...
Kayley Parkinson
We couldn't be happier with our new ducted air conditioning system. Alex, Louie and the team at Smarter Air and Electrical were amazing to deal with throughout the entire process. The team were polite, friendly, punctual and their workmanship is excellent. Highly recommend!
Kayley Parkinson
Kayley Parkinson
Sean & Katrina Yacoubian
The installers were excellent. Arrived on time and we did a preliminary walk around to check positioning of everything was correct. Very stress...
Sean & Katrina Yacoubian
The installers were excellent. Arrived on time and we did a preliminary walk around to check positioning of everything was correct. Very stress free install. Price was extremely good. Would highly recommend giving Smarter Air & Electrical a call if you’re thinking about air conditioning.
Sean & Katrina Yacoubian
Sean & Katrina Yacoubian
Jason Trembath
A big thank you to Benji who was very friendly and professional. He provided a great service and ran through questions we had. He fixed ...
Jason Trembath
A big thank you to Benji who was very friendly and professional. He provided a great service and ran through questions we had. He fixed up a few items which was greatly appreciated to ensure we have our system running well. I highly recommend Benji from Smarter Air. Thanks as well go Amanda and Andrea as well for being warm, friendly and professional to deal with when booking everything in, and getting our service and repairs in straight away.
Jason Trembath
Jason Trembath
Greg Chijoff
Not Happy Jan. Despite the company being told in advance of my unique situation - a 3 storey townhouse with limited roof void space, necessitating the ...
Greg Chijoff
Not Happy Jan. Despite the company being told in advance of my unique situation - a 3 storey townhouse with limited roof void space, necessitating the probable use of a scissor-lift and access through the steel roof, Smarter Air accepted the job for ducted air installation and took a deposit. Deposit transferred November 29. First site inspection January 10. Project declined January 13. Not only has this set back other activity such as the installation of roof top Solar panels, but I had declined two other reasonably priced proposals [also Black Friday deals]. Now I have to go back to scratch and restart with new Project quoting from competitors. I have elevated the star rating by '1' as I did eventually get the refund back, after a reminder two days later.
Greg Chijoff
Greg Chijoff
James Herbert
We couldn't be happier with the fantastic service provided by Smarter Electrical! They recently upgraded our air conditioning system, and the entire process was seamless ...
James Herbert
We couldn't be happier with the fantastic service provided by Smarter Electrical! They recently upgraded our air conditioning system, and the entire process was seamless from start to finish. The team was professional, punctual, and incredibly knowledgeable. They took the time to explain all the options available and made sure we chose the right system for our home. The installation was done efficiently and with great attention to detail, leaving everything clean and tidy afterward. Our new air con system works perfectly, and we can already feel the difference in comfort and efficiency. We would highly recommend Smarter Electrical to anyone looking for a great service and expert advice. A big thank you to the team, especially Tom, Hayden and Chris for their excellent work!
James Herbert
James Herbert

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