Residential / General electrical
Ducted air conditioning
Plan whole-home comfort from the start. We assess zones, roof access and electrical capacity for a ducted system that suits your home.
Local electricians · Clear advice · Ongoing support
Zoning is the whole game
A ducted system without zoning cools every room whether anyone is in it or not, which is expensive and uncomfortable. Zoning splits the house into areas you can run independently, so you can condition the living areas during the day and the bedrooms at night without paying to cool the rest.
Sensible zones usually follow how the house is actually used: living and kitchen, bedrooms, and a separate zone for any room with a very different heat load, such as a west-facing study or a room with a lot of glass. The more honestly the zoning reflects your routine, the lower the running cost.
What the house needs to accommodate
- Roof space for the indoor fan coil unit, with enough clearance for it to be serviced later.
- Room to run ducting to each outlet without excessive bends, which cost airflow.
- A suitable position outside for the condenser, with airflow and ideally some shade.
- A ceiling that can take the return air grille, usually in a hallway.
- Switchboard capacity and a dedicated circuit correctly sized for the system.
Electrical capacity
Ducted systems draw considerably more than a single split. Larger units may need three phase supply, and even single phase units need a properly sized dedicated circuit. On older homes the switchboard is frequently the limiting factor, and it is much better to find that out at quoting stage than on installation day.
Running cost and solar
Ducted air conditioning is likely to be the largest single load in your house. That makes it the strongest argument for solar, because cooling demand peaks on exactly the hot, clear days when an array produces most. Adding battery storage extends that into the evening, when the house is occupied and the tariff is at its highest.
Plan it during a renovation. Ducting, zoning and the electrical supply are far easier and cheaper to install while ceilings are open. If a renovation is on the cards, bring it into that scope. See rewires and renovations.
Good to know
Your questions, answered.
Ducted or several splits?
Ducted suits whole-home comfort, a clean look and houses with usable roof space. Multiple splits suit staged budgets, rooms used very differently, or homes with no roof access. We will give you an honest comparison for your house.
Can ducted be installed in an existing home?
Often yes, provided there is enough roof space and access. Single storey homes with a pitched roof are usually straightforward. Low-pitch or two storey homes need a closer look.
Does it cost a lot to run?
It can, if it is unzoned and run across the whole house. Properly zoned and paired with solar, the running cost is far more reasonable than people expect.
Will I need three phase power?
Some larger systems do. We check your existing supply during the assessment and tell you before you commit.
Let’s talk about your project.
Tell us your suburb, priorities and the work you have in mind. We’ll help you take the next step.