What’s better and why, ducted heating & air con or a split system?

Phill Crawley

Smarter Air & Electrical

i 3 Contents

Which Is Better — Ducted Heating and Air Con or a Split System?

If you’ve chosen to make the Gold Coast your home, drawn by its beautiful beaches and vibrant lifestyle, you know that unexpected cold spikes can disrupt your comfort, making life at home uncomfortable and even waking the baby up during the night. On those chilly days, the need for a reliable heating solution becomes apparent. Without a heating system in place, you may find yourself exploring options and questioning whether a ducted heating and air conditioning system is the best fit for your home. Or perhaps you’re considering the flexibility of a split system or the convenience of a portable air conditioner. Here’s what you need to consider:

Ducted Heating Systems

Ducted heaters and air conditioners rely on a series of individual vents (sometimes called diffuser outlets) that are typically installed in the ceiling of each room on your property. On the other side of these grills, a duct network connects each point to the fan coil unit. This setup allows you to heat or cool the entire property, and it’s very discreet. The compressor and condensing unit will sit outside the home and connect to the indoor fan coil unit, which you may place in the roof space or occasionally underneath the home. While these systems are primarily designed to cool your property in the height of the Brisbane summer, they can also heat your home. 

With ducted systems, it is possible to have different zones throughout the home. Individual temperature controls can be added to each zone with smart controls such as MyAir that come with a smartphone app for remote control! This system may be handy if you only occasionally use certain rooms (like a guest bedroom), so you can keep the access door closed and isolate that zone.

myair ducted heating controls

 

Ducted Heating Installation

There’s a lot of work involved when installing this type of ducted heating and air conditioning system. While brand-new properties may have pre-installed ductwork, older places probably don’t. As a result, you will need to install flexible ducting in your roof space or above a ceiling. This ducting comprises of a steel wire coil covered in polyester insulation and surrounded by insulating material such as aluminium foil. 

A ducted system has some limitations as you will need adequate space in your roof. So, it may not be a viable choice if you have a raked ceiling or don’t have a lot of room in your roof. However, some people fit this type of system underneath the floor if they have a crawl space below, but your property may need to be single-storey for this to work. In addition to being out of sight, one of the main advantages of a ducted system is noise. Compared to a split system, the operation is relatively quiet as the fan unit is hidden away in the ceiling.

Ducted Heating System Cost?

The average price of a ducted heating system is between $8,000 and $13,500 supplied and installed in your home, a larger two-storey home could cost up to +$25,000.

The final cost will vary depending on many factors such as:

  • The size of your home
  • If you would like independent temperature control in each room
  • The brand of unit you choose
  • The controls option you select
  • How well your home is insulated
  • How many zones & outlets

The price of a ducted system can vary considerably between different contractors due to the quality of the products they use, the quality of work & the warranties they offer on their installation. When investing in a large home appliance such as a ducted heater, research both the brand and the installer.

A professional will take the time to learn about your requirements, review your house plans & select the correct size air conditioner for your home. They will provide you with a tailored solution for your home so keep in mind that the pricing above is just a guide to give you an idea of the costs.

Is Ducted Heating Cost Effective?

Thanks to the introduction of digital inverters, the cost to run a ducted system has reduced greatly over the years as the compressor can reduce its capacity down to around 30%.

A 12.5kW ducted system running at its rated capacity consumes around 3.1kW of electricity per hour, with the average cost of electricity in Brisbane currently at around $0.26 per kWh, which translates to around $0.80 per hour to run your ducted heating system. Keep in mind that is the running cost when the system is running at its rated capacity; as your home approaches the desired temperature, the inverter will reduce its capacity & your running cost could be as low as $0.24 per hour!

When calculating the running costs of any air conditioning system, the temperature at which you set your system can affect the running costs quite considerably.

The below thermostat setting recommendations come from the Australian government website “Your Home”.

Set your thermostat correctly. Each degree of extra heating in winter or cooling in summer increases energy consumption by about 5 to 10%. Set the thermostat to 18 to 20°C in winter and 25 to 27°C in summer. (source: yourhome.gov.au, 2020)

Split Systems

A split system is more affordable than a ducted heating and air conditioning solution. With this approach, the condenser part of the system is positioned outside the house, usually on an exterior wall. The second part of the system is placed inside, fixed to an interior wall or as a floor-standing unit.

heating split system

The split system is perfect if you do not have available room above your ceiling or in the roof space for that ductwork. Also, you do not need to condition the entire home unless it’s necessary. Instead, simply install split systems in the rooms of your choice. In addition, you’ll be able to control the temperature of each room separately through remote control, giving you greater flexibility.

The problem with a split system is that it takes up a lot of space in a given room and may not match your décor. Also, they can be relatively noisy compared to the ducted A/C system, which may be something to consider if you have a light sleeper in the household.

With the simpler split systems, you will need to position the condenser (on the outside) relatively close to the head unit inside. This can present a problem from a practical point of view, although multiheaded split systems may partly alleviate this issue. Here, you may be able to get away with a single condenser on the outside that conditions the air in several rooms within the property.

Otherwise, you may have to install several different split systems, but each will need to have its own condenser outside. You need to decide whether you want to do this from an aesthetic point of view and remember that those additional units will also create extra noise. You might have to take this into account if you have neighbours nearby. And don’t forget, with multiple systems, you may need to spend more on maintenance as time passes.

Portable Air Conditioners

Portable air conditioners present another option for those seeking a flexible and convenient solution to heating and cooling needs. These units can be moved from room to room, providing immediate temperature control where needed. Let’s explore how they compare to ducted heating and split systems:

Pros of Portable Air Conditioners:

  • Flexibility: Easily move the unit to different rooms as needed.
  • Easy Installation: No need for professional installation; simply plug and play.
  • Cost-Effective: Generally cheaper to purchase and operate for small spaces.
  • Temporary Solution: Ideal for renters or those who need a short-term heating or cooling option.

Cons of Portable Air Conditioners:

  • Less Efficient: May not be suitable for cooling or heating large spaces.
  • Noise: Can be noisier compared to ducted or split systems.
  • Aesthetics: May not blend seamlessly with room décor.
  • Limited Capacity: Generally offers less power and capacity compared to ducted or split systems.

 

How to Choose the Best System for You

So, how do you decide which is best solution for your home? Choosing between these three options depends on your specific needs, budget, and home configuration. Whether it’s the whole-home coverage of ducted heating, the per-room control of split systems, or the convenience of wheeling a portable air conditioner into a room, understanding the pros and cons of each can guide you to the perfect solution for your Gold Coast home.

As all options have pros and cons, you need to work out what is most important in your situation and decide accordingly. For example, do you want a more energy-efficient system or only need to condition certain rooms in a property? In this case, the split system may be better. Split systems tend to be less expensive to install than the ducted alternative and would typically be cheaper to run depending on how many units you have.

Are you worried about noise, both internally and externally? If so, the ducted system should be the better alternative, especially if you need more than one split system condenser outside.

What about aesthetics? Some consider internal split system head units unsightly, and their presence may affect how you furnish or decorate your rooms. Alternatively, ducted systems are hidden away above the ceiling.

In Summary

Portable & split systems air conditioners may be better for smaller houses, while ducted heating and air conditioning solutions cover an entire property and may be best at maintaining an even temperature. You need to determine whether your home can accommodate a ducted system or not, and bear in mind that ducted A/C is more expensive to install than a single split system. However, if you are looking to install three split systems then it’s worth getting a quote on a ducted system as it may be better value plus it is a whole-home solution, can add value to the home, which will help during a resale.

Smarter Air is here to keep your home comfortable with air conditioning installation, services and repairs.

Making Your Choice

When it comes to different brands, there are plenty of options. Some of the better solutions are made by Panasonic, Mitsubishi Electric, LG, Teco & Samsung. So, if you’re ready for a new system and want to make your property in Brisbane or the Gold Coast more liveable, call Smarter Air & Electrical today on 1300 476 421 or contact  us below.

Saji Joseph
Smarter Air and Electrical recently replaced our ducted Air Conditioning system. The team is very professional and their service from start to finish was excellent. ...
Saji Joseph
Smarter Air and Electrical recently replaced our ducted Air Conditioning system. The team is very professional and their service from start to finish was excellent. I would like to extend our special thanks to Jack, Benji, Jacob and Kesan who did the installation and the commissioning. Also, sincere appreciation to all the pre planning work carried out by Davis, Chris, Alex and Amanda. Everything went smoothly from start to finish. Thanks again.
Saji Joseph
Saji Joseph
Darren Maloney
The Smarter Air & Electrical team has been amazing to work with from start to finish. The team have made the process seamless and we ...
Darren Maloney
The Smarter Air & Electrical team has been amazing to work with from start to finish. The team have made the process seamless and we could not be hapier with the finished product. The process has been so good that we have a freind currently getting a system from the team I only have great things to say about my experience it was easy to send them your way. A big thank you to the team and I'm sure I will send more business your way.
Darren Maloney
Darren Maloney
Matthew Harriott
The guys at Smarter Air and Electrical are great. From the inspection and quote through to the install and after sales service the company is ...
Matthew Harriott
The guys at Smarter Air and Electrical are great. From the inspection and quote through to the install and after sales service the company is outstanding. The install team are professional and clean up after them selves. Once mine was complete, they even came back and did a neighbours as well. Highly recommended.
Matthew Harriott
Matthew Harriott
Dallas Werder
From the first interaction, quoting and installation- Absolute outstanding service. They were always on time, polite, professional, attentive and explained everything perfectly. We could not ...
Dallas Werder
From the first interaction, quoting and installation- Absolute outstanding service. They were always on time, polite, professional, attentive and explained everything perfectly. We could not be happier with our ducted air con. Use this company if you want ducted.
Dallas Werder
Dallas Werder
Sue Cee
Once again, brilliant customer service from start to end. Professional, courteous, explaining the process as they went along, Jacob and Will were great. I 100% recommend ...
Sue Cee
Once again, brilliant customer service from start to end. Professional, courteous, explaining the process as they went along, Jacob and Will were great. I 100% recommend Smarter Air & Electrical
Sue Cee
Sue Cee
Bhavesh Bhatt
The guys at Smarter Air did very good job at installing ducted system in my already built home. Starting from their Sales team to...
Bhavesh Bhatt
The guys at Smarter Air did very good job at installing ducted system in my already built home. Starting from their Sales team to customer rep to Electrician and installation team all were very professional and helpful. Highly recommended 👍🏼
Bhavesh Bhatt
Bhavesh Bhatt
Giuseppe Amenta
I was nothing but impressed of the leadership and workmanship of smarter air & Electrical crew ( Davis, Benji, Levi, Nav Jake and Will) that came ...
Giuseppe Amenta
I was nothing but impressed of the leadership and workmanship of smarter air & Electrical crew ( Davis, Benji, Levi, Nav Jake and Will) that came out to fit our Panasonic ducted air conditioner.The pre inspection was so important cause they new exactly what they were up for ! Thanks Davis !! The crew did a terrific job , they cleaned after themselves explained what they were doing and most of all respected the household which was very appreciative . We would highly recommend Smarter Air & Electrical to family and friends. Well done !! Thank you
Giuseppe Amenta
Giuseppe Amenta
Mel Daniels
Absolutely fantastic service. The team introduced themselves upon arrival, explained what was going to happen with the install. They cleaned up and show us how ...
Mel Daniels
Absolutely fantastic service. The team introduced themselves upon arrival, explained what was going to happen with the install. They cleaned up and show us how to use everything. Customer service is more 5 stars!
Mel Daniels
Mel Daniels
Larry Hodges
Wow!!! That is what comes to mind for the service, professionalism, and timeliness provided by Smarter Air. Will, Benji, Jack...
Larry Hodges
Wow!!! That is what comes to mind for the service, professionalism, and timeliness provided by Smarter Air. Will, Benji, Jack, Jake, Kesan, and Davis arrive on time, were friendly, and installed aircon. Before leaving they tested system, cleaned up and gave me walk through on system use. I highly recommended Smarter Air. Couldn’t be happier. Larry Hodges.
Larry Hodges
Larry Hodges
Ferdy K
After doing a good research, I found Smart Air Electrical prices the most competitive. The team presented good options depending on my budget so I ...
Ferdy K
After doing a good research, I found Smart Air Electrical prices the most competitive. The team presented good options depending on my budget so I ended up getting the Teco System with a 7 year warranty. The low price range was most attractive. It was also good to get 10% discount as well- so I saved another $900. The crew that installed the AC were very professional. They spent the whole day in my house and were very respectful. I am now enjoying cool air.
Ferdy K
Ferdy K

Pin It on Pinterest