How Much Does Ducted Air Conditioning Cost? [2024]

Looking for a cooling solution for your whole home? Ducted air conditioning is the gold standard for a whole-house cooling system, but it does come with a higher price tag.

Ducted air conditioning costs start from around $5,000 to have a small system installed up to $10,000 or more to install a ducted air con in a large home, but this can vary depending on many factors.

This ducted air conditioning price guide will give you a ballpark figure to work from, so you can approach installers with some knowledge and make an informed decision. Read more about:

• What is ducted air conditioning?
• How much does ducted air conditioning installation cost?
• What factors affect ducted air conditioning installation cost?
• What are the costs of running ducted air con?
• How to save on air conditioning running costs
• Which is cheaper to run – a ducted or split system?
• What are the costs of servicing a ducted air con?
• How does ducted air conditioning work?
• What is ducted reverse cycle air conditioning?
• What are the most popular ducted air conditioning brands?
• Is ducted air conditioning worth it?
• Who can install your ducted air con?
• Getting quotes for ducted air conditioning installation

© Peter Hull Architects

What is ducted air conditioning?

Ducted air conditioning consists of separate indoor and outdoor units connected by a system of insulated pipes or ducts. These are installed in your floor or ceiling cavity to circulate cool air around your home.

Vents or grills are installed in the rooms you want to cool and a programmable control panel allows you to adjust the temperature. Most modern ducted systems are zoned, allowing you to set different temperatures in different rooms.

Ducted systems are typically installed when a new home is built, but they may also be installed in an existing property, provided you have enough space in your ceiling cavity for the indoor unit.

How much does ducted air conditioning installation cost?*

The cost of ducted air conditioning installation mainly depends on the size of your home and how many rooms you want to be cooled. Expect to pay in the region of:

$5,000 - $8,000 to install a ducted system in an apartment or small home
$6,000 - $10,000 for an average 3 or 4-bedroom single-storey home
$10,000 to $25,000 for a large multi-storey home

What factors affect ducted air conditioning installation cost?

The cost to install ducted air conditioning can vary depending on a number of factors, including:

• What type of ducted system you choose
• The size and layout of your home
• How many people live in your home
• Whether you opt for zoning in different parts of your home
• What materials your home is made from (e.g. brick or weatherboard)
• Whether there is enough roof space to install the ducts 
• How complex the installation is
• Local rates for air conditioning installers in your area

The more points and zones you want to add, the more expensive your ducted air con cost will be.

Read more: How much does ducted heating cost?
 

What are the costs of running ducted air con?*

Running ducted air conditioning costs between $250 and $500 per year for the average home. Factors that affect ducted air conditioning running costs include:

• The size and type of ducted system you install
• How long you use it for and at what times
• The temperature it's set at
• Your electricity tariff
• How well the system and your home are insulated

How to save on air conditioning running costs

If you're concerned about the cost of running a ducted air conditioning system, there are steps you can take to cut your usage, such as:

• Choosing an energy-efficient system
• Setting the temperature higher when cooling (lower when heating)
• Using timers to run air conditioning only when you need it
• Improving the insulation of your home
• Reviewing your electricity provider to make sure you're getting the best deal

From the horse's mouth...

Melbourne-based electrician Peter Bailey of Advantage Air Conditioning and Electrical points out that, although there is a significant cost difference between a 2.5 star rated unit and a 6-star rated ducted system, the smaller unit will be more costly to run. So it makes sense to opt for the larger unit, which will be more energy-efficient and cost-effective over time.

Which is cheaper to run – a ducted or split system?

Split system air conditioners are wall-mounted units without ducts that cool individual rooms rather than a whole house.

Split systems are cheaper to run as individual units if you only need to cool one or two rooms. However, if you want to cool a whole home, the total cost of running multiple split systems will be greater than a ducted system.

Read more: Ducted air conditioning vs split system

What are the costs of servicing a ducted air con?*

Ducted systems need to be inspected and serviced on a regular basis to make sure they are operating efficiently and free from problems. Routine servicing starts from around $350, which should include:

• Cleaning and de-scaling the system
• Checking refrigerant levels and pressure
• Operational checks

The cost of servicing will be higher if you need repairs or replacement parts.
 

© CVM Architects

How does ducted air conditioning work?

Ducted air conditioning works in the same way as other air conditioning systems. Fans circulate air through the system, which is cooled by a refrigerant. Cool air is vented into rooms and warm air released outside. In a reverse cycle ducted system, the process can be switched to reverse to provide heating.

The difference with a ducted system compared to individual split systems is that a single unit provides cooling for multiple rooms through a series of ducts and vents. In a zoned system, different temperatures can be set in different areas.

The energy-efficiency of ducted air conditioning depends on the energy rating of the unit and the thermal efficiency of the ducting installed. If inferior ducting is used, more warm or cool air will be lost as it travels around your home.

What is ducted reverse cycle air conditioning?

Reverse cycle air conditioning simply means running the normal air conditioning process in reverse to provide heating rather than cooling. Instead of drawing in warm air and cooling it, the system draws in cool air and heats it.

Most modern ducted air conditioners include a reverse cycle function, but you should check this with your supplier and installer.

What are the most popular ducted air conditioning brands?

Choosing an air conditioning system from a reputable manufacturer gives you some assurance of its quality and performance and the security of a manufacturer-backed warranty if something does go wrong.

Leading ducted air conditioning brands in Australia include:

• Daikin
• Fujitsu
• Haier
• Mitsubishi Electric
• Panasonic
• Samsung

Is ducted air conditioning worth it?

Ducted air conditioning can be a cost-effective solution if you need to cool or heat a whole house or commercial building. It's also more effective at cooling larger spaces than other types of air conditioning.

If you're worried about noise or unsightly air con units on your wall, ducted systems are also unobtrusive and very quiet. The central unit is installed out of sight in the roof or ceiling, with air flowing into rooms through discreet vents.

On the other hand, if you're only looking to cool one or two rooms, a wall-mounted split system will cost less to install and run.
 

Who can install your ducted air con?

You need to use a properly trained and licensed installer for your ducted air conditioner installation. Anyone who handles refrigerants and installs air conditioning units in Australia must hold a licence issued by the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC).

Depending on where you live, this could be:

• a ducted air conditioning installer
• a plumber
• an electrician

Besides making sure your installer is licensed, you should also look for someone with plenty of testimonials from happy clients. You also need to make sure you get a quote in writing to avoid hidden costs.

Getting quotes for ducted air conditioning installation

Getting several quotes for ducted air conditioning will give you a sense of what market rates currently are and help you to get the best price for supply and installation of systems of roughly the same capacity.

 

 

When comparing quotes, you may find that different systems of the same capacity have different prices. Rather than simply choosing the lowest ducted air conditioning price, look at all the quotes carefully and ask why one service costs less than another. One might be quoting for a more expensive but cost-effective inverter system, while another quote may be for a more basic system.

*Costs and prices in this article are indicative and should only be used as a guide. They also vary locally and are subject to market forces.