Step-by-Step Guide: How to Install Ducted Air Conditioning in Your Australian Home

Phill Crawley

Smarter Air & Electrical

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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.
  • 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.

 

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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