How to Install Ducted Air Conditioning in your home

How to Install Ducted Air Conditioning in your home is a common question and one of the most popular choices for people living in Brisbane & Gold Coast to keep cool.

A ducted air conditioner consists of 4 main components as follows:

• Outdoor Unit – This houses core components such as a condenser coil, fans and compressor.
• Indoor Unit – Contains a cooling coil, drain pan & fans to distribute the cooled air.
• Duct & Componentry – Insulated ductwork delivers the air to each room, and the effectiveness of the insulation has a certain “R-value.” The higher this R-value is, less heat will transfer from your roof space into your ducts. Flexible duct with an R1.0 rating is Australian standard (AS4254.1) for residential homes in Brisbane & Gold Coast; ask your installer about upgrading to flexible R1.5, expect this to cost around AUD$300-$500.
  • We recommend taking a look at these flexible duct maps from ADMA (Australian Duct Manufacturers Alliance) to see what R-value is recommended in your local area.
• Zone Controls – Basic zone controllers allow you to turn zones On or OFF. One more popular option is MyAir, which allows each room in your home to have its own temperature set individually. This way you can get the perfect comfort and energy efficiency..

When you want to know how to install ducted air conditioning in your home or looking to replace your old existing one with a newer model, it is important to consider these things..

How to Find the Best Ducted Air Conditioning

Not all ducted air conditioner units are created equal, and each type has their own pros and cons. Choosing the best system for your home is important.

When shopping for a new ducted system, you’ll want to keep these things in mind:

• Price: Ducted air con system costs can vary due to the different brands and features offered. Consider what you need and determine what you’re willing to pay for it; then, look into what’s available at that price point. You may want to read customer reviews or ask an expert about your favorite brands before making your decision. The below prices can be used as a guide to help you decide if installing ducted air conditioning fits within your budget:
  • Small Home: $7k-$10k
  • Average Home: $10-14k
  • Large Home: $14k+

• • Energy Efficiency:  Ducted air conditioner brochures all show two values relating the efficiency of the air con, these are:
    • EER – energy efficiency ratio when in cooling mode, the higher the number the more efficient it will be in cooling mode.

• COP – Coefficient of Performance when in heating mode, the higher the number the more efficient it will be in heating mode.
• • • NOTE: Some manufacturers only publish the AEER & ACOP, please note these values are annualized and also take the air conditioners standby power into consideration. If you compare the EER of unit A with the AEER of unit B this is a flawed comparison as unit B has taken standby power into the equation.
• Air Cleaning: In addition to cooling your home, an air conditioner helps you remove impurities like odours, bacteria & virus, mould and allergens. Panasonic units up to 16kW also include a NanoeX active purifier which removes PM2.5 (air particulates of less than 2.5 microns).
• Noise: Remember that published noise levels will always be louder once your system is installed because the sound bounces off hard surfaces such as walls, amplifying it. Check out fairair.com.au for further info regarding air conditioner noise.
• Warranty & Support: Most air conditioners on the market come with a full 5 year parts & labour warranty when the system is installed in a residential home. When choosing an air conditioner, most people don’t take the time to find out which brands have delivered the best after sales for their customers. If you want to know more about what they can do for your installation, talk with your installer and see!

What Are the Benefits of Installing a Ducted System?

One of the most obvious benefits of installing a ducted system is that it will help keep your whole home at a comfortable temperature all year long.

So what are some of the other benefits?

• When compared to a split system the indoor unit is virtually silent as it is located in your roof cavity not inside the room.
• The installation of split system air conditioners may require four or more units compared to a ducted system, which only requires one. This way, you can save valuable space outdoors and not waste it by installing multiple outdoor units.
• Ducted systems feature aesthetically pleasing diffusers mounted in the ceiling, compare this to a split system that has the indoor unit mounted on the wall inside each room.
• With smart zoning systems such as MyAir you can turn your ducted system on remotely from the mobile app on your smartphone!
• Only one air conditioner to service and maintain each year.
• They offer the flexibility to cool only a few or many rooms at once.

Considerations When Installing Ducted Air Conditioning

The most important things to consider when installing a ducted system are:

•  The location of your outdoor unit. We recommend placing the unit outside a living room rather than a bedroom to keep noise to a minimum. Also make sure it’s at least 1.5 metres away from any gas bottles. 
• Another consideration is how much space you have in your roof space for your indoor unit. You need to make sure your ducted air con sales rep gets inside the roof and measures up for which brand you are choosing. It is important so there won’t be any surprises on installation day.
• If you’re looking to replace your ducted system, don’t forget that some of the existing parts may still be in good condition. Ask your air con installer if reusing them will save you money!
• Before you make any decisions, be sure your installer is licensed to install and repair air conditioning systems through Arctick. They must also hold a license as an electrical contractor so they can complete the necessary electrical work as well!

Conclusion

Installing ducted air conditioning in your home will give you the benefit of controlling temperatures in each room without running up your energy bill. The installation process is relatively straightforward, but it pays to use a reputable installation company so that you can be guaranteed of quality workmanship.

If you are interested in installing ducted air conditioning in your home, get in touch with Smarter Air. We offer high-quality ducted air conditioner installations for any size home complete with 10-year workmanship guarantee.