How Does Ducted Air Conditioning Work?

Phill Crawley

Smarter Air & Electrical

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How Does Ducted Air Conditioning Work

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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Tiffany Smith
Jack & his team were amazing. The entire team at Smarter Air have been extremely helpful & have gone over & above to get my ...
Tiffany Smith
Jack & his team were amazing. The entire team at Smarter Air have been extremely helpful & have gone over & above to get my home air conditioned as quickly as possible. Amanda in the office has been particularly helpful when I needed to navigate some tricky body corporate issues & wet weather delays. Jack & his team for installation were always on time , polite , respectful of my home & cleaned up after their work every step of the way. This is a very well run local company.. Thank you for being so good at your job..
Tiffany Smith
Tiffany Smith
Helen Luafutu-Tofilau
We had the Samsung ducted system installed in our home today. The team arrived on time, they were absolutely amazing, very professional, polite and friendly. ...
Helen Luafutu-Tofilau
We had the Samsung ducted system installed in our home today. The team arrived on time, they were absolutely amazing, very professional, polite and friendly. They were very respectful of our home and were able to work around our family as we were all home at the time of instilation due to school holidays. Everything was done at a high standard, and the boys were never too busy to answer any questions we had. They also left our home clean and tidy inside and out. We would definitely recommend them. Christmas has come early for us. Thank you again Sam and Helen
Helen Luafutu-Tofilau
Helen Luafutu-Tofilau
Helen Luafutu-Tofilau
We had the Samsung ducted system installed in our home today. The team arrived on time, they were absolutely amazing, very professional, polite and friendly. ...
Helen Luafutu-Tofilau
We had the Samsung ducted system installed in our home today. The team arrived on time, they were absolutely amazing, very professional, polite and friendly. They were very respectful of our home and were able to work around our family as we were all home at the time of instilation due to school holidays. Everything was done at a high standard, and the boys were never too busy to answer any questions we had. They also left our home clean and tidy inside and out. We would definitely recommend them. Christmas has come early for us. Thank you again Sam and Helen
Helen Luafutu-Tofilau
Helen Luafutu-Tofilau
Cara Macarthur
The Smarter Air & Electrical team from start to finish (order to install) has been nothing short of amazing! Great products, great service and impeccable ...
Cara Macarthur
The Smarter Air & Electrical team from start to finish (order to install) has been nothing short of amazing! Great products, great service and impeccable workmanship! Benji and his install team were probably the highlight of the experience, well mannered, punctual and a friendly bunch!
Cara Macarthur
Cara Macarthur
Arthur Cowell
Great service! Full ducted install which took just over half the day, team were quick, professional and respectful when moving around the home and wishing ...
Arthur Cowell
Great service! Full ducted install which took just over half the day, team were quick, professional and respectful when moving around the home and wishing to use facilities. Support by the team from selection to installation was fantastic. System is working well and keeping us nice and cool. I would highly recommend.
Arthur Cowell
Arthur Cowell
Kurt Obermeit
The boys arrived on time, got stuck into it straight away. They were very professional and careful and thoroughly cleaned up after....
Kurt Obermeit
The boys arrived on time, got stuck into it straight away. They were very professional and careful and thoroughly cleaned up after. The install looks flawless and the airflow circulation is amazing! Summer is going to be awesome this year 🙌
Kurt Obermeit
Kurt Obermeit
Adam Collins
Had to pleasure of Benji and the team install a Panasonic ducted system into our property. The professionalism and work quality was top notch. The ...
Adam Collins
Had to pleasure of Benji and the team install a Panasonic ducted system into our property. The professionalism and work quality was top notch. The system is working well and the place was tidy after they left! Highly recommend the team.
Adam Collins
Adam Collins
Stewart Bielby
Very happy with the process from start to finish. Amanda kept us up-to-date with excellent communication and a friendly and helpful attitude. Jack and his ...
Stewart Bielby
Very happy with the process from start to finish. Amanda kept us up-to-date with excellent communication and a friendly and helpful attitude. Jack and his team provided great service during the installation, very tidy and professional. Enjoying the comfort of our new ducted system. Highly recommend this great company!
Stewart Bielby
Stewart Bielby
Amelia Eyers
Benji and team were incredible installing our new air-conditioner. Very professional, punctual and thorough. Explained everything they did with great detail. And left our home ...
Amelia Eyers
Benji and team were incredible installing our new air-conditioner. Very professional, punctual and thorough. Explained everything they did with great detail. And left our home clean, we'd highly recommend Smarter Air.
Amelia Eyers
Amelia Eyers
Matt Coutts
I recently had the pleasure of working with Smarter Air & Electrical for the installation of a Panasonic ducted-air unit in my home. From start ...
Matt Coutts
I recently had the pleasure of working with Smarter Air & Electrical for the installation of a Panasonic ducted-air unit in my home. From start to finish, the experience was nothing short of exceptional. Benji & the team demonstrated a high level of professionalism throughout the entire process. They were punctual, courteous, and clearly knowledgeable about their work. It's refreshing to see a team so committed to delivering top-notch service. The installation process was handled with meticulous care. The team ensured every aspect of the installation was completed to the highest standard. Their attention to detail was evident, leaving me confident that the unit would function optimally. One of the standout aspects of their service was their commitment to cleanliness. After completing the job, the team thoroughly cleaned up the work area, leaving no trace of the installation process. It's these small touches that truly set them apart. I couldn't be happier with the service provided by Smarter Air & Electrical. The Panasonic ducted-air unit works perfectly, and the entire experience was hassle-free. I highly recommend Smarter Air & Electrical, with Benji and the team, for anyone in need of professional and reliable air & electrical services.
Matt Coutts
Matt Coutts

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