How much does Ducted Air Conditioning Installation cost? [2024]

With busy families using different rooms of the house for work, study, relaxation and entertainment, having air conditioning in just the living room doesn't really work.

You could install air conditioners in every room, but ducted air conditioning is a more energy-efficient and cost-effective solution. But how much does ducted air conditioning installation cost?

Read this guide to find out more about:

• Choosing a ducted air conditioning system
• Ducted air conditioning prices
• Ducted air conditioning installation cost
• Air conditioning costs comparison
• How to install ducted air conditioning
• Getting quotes from air conditioning specialists
• How to save on ducted air conditioning costs

Choosing a ducted air conditioning system

Not all ducted air conditioning systems are alike. The type of system you choose will impact on its price, installation cost and running costs.

One question to ask yourself is: do you want to cool your house only, or do you want a reverse cycle system that can cool or warm the house?  Reverse cycle air conditioners cost a little more, but they make sense if you live in a temperate or cooler climate where heating is as important as cooling.

Whether you choose a cooling or reverse cycle system, it's important to choose air conditioning that has the right capacity to efficiently do its job. The capacity of an air conditioning system is measured by its kilowatt output:

• The smallest capacity systems are around 3.5 kilowatts. This is adequate for a small apartment, but it won't be enough if you have a three-bedroom home.
•  At the other end of the scale, ducted air conditioning systems of up to 30 kilowatts are available, but that's far more than the average home requires.

Choosing greater capacity than you need is neither cost efficient nor more energy efficient. Find out more about what size air conditioning unit do I need?

The cheapest ducted air conditioning systems deliver cool or warm air to every room in the house. This isn't always desirable though, and can be a waste of energy resources and money. For a little more, you can buy a zone system, which allows you to pick and choose which rooms you want to heat or cool.

Ducted air conditioning prices

What can you expect in terms of ducted air conditioning prices? As a rough guide, you can expect to pay from $2000 for a small capacity system designed for apartment living to up to $10,000 for a system capable of cooling and/or heating a large home. This does not include installation costs.

For examples of leading air conditioning brands, expect to pay around:

• $3000–$4240 for a Fujitsu 8.5kW inverter ducted air conditioner
• $3100–$5890 for a Fujitsu 10.5kW inverter ducted air conditioner
• $4450–$8330 for a Fujitsu 14.0kW inverter ducted air conditioner
• $4995 for a Samsung 7.1kW cooling / 8kW heating ducted air conditioner
• $5275 for a Daikin 15.5kW cooling / 18kW heating inverter ducted air conditioner

For a more accurate idea of the type of system you need and what you can expect to pay, use our ducted air conditioning cost calculator.

Ducted air conditioning installation cost

Air conditioning installers charge from $55–$80 per hour, but it's more useful to get quotes for the whole job rather than compare hourly rates.

The total cost of ducted air conditioning installation can be anywhere from $5000 to $30,000, depending on the size of the project. Expect to pay around:

• $5000–$7000 for a 2 bedroom home
• $11,000–$14,000 for a 3 bedroom home
• $15,000–$30,000 or more for a larger home

The cost of installing air conditioning increases with the size of the system, but not as dramatically as the cost of the system itself. For example, a smaller capacity system might cost as much or more to install than the unit cost, while a larger system can cost only 50% more than the aircon unit, ducting and other parts.

Air conditioning costs comparison

When you're deciding whether ducted air conditioning installation cost is worth it, it can be useful to compare installation costs for other types of air conditioner units so you can make a fair comparison. The main options are:

• $150–$500 for portable air conditioners. These units can be plugged in and don't need to be professionally installed, but their cooling power is limited and they can be expensive to run.
• $600–$750 per unit for a split system or reverse cycle air conditioner. These can be more affordable for a smaller home, but the costs can add up as each room needs its own unit.

Read more: Ducted air con vs split system air con

How to install ducted air conditioning

Unless you're an experienced tradie or have knowledge of aircon systems, it's advised that you leave the installation of a ducted air conditioning system to the professionals. 

The key steps to installing ducted aircon are:

Step 1: Planning the location of the ducts, grilles and all interior aspects in the roof cavity. 

Step 2: Working out the best spot for the outdoor unit(s). 

Step 3: Creating holes in the ceiling for the grilles. 

Step 4: Installing the interior aircon section in three parts:

• a. the air mixing plenum
• b. the fan deck
• c. the fan coil unit

These must be installed in such a way that they don't cause vibrations on the ceiling. Normally, this is done by fixing parts to the roof or house frame.

Step 5: Mount the safety tray underneath the indoor unit to catch fluids.

Step 6: Place the outdoor unit in position. 

Step 7: Connect refrigeration pipes and electrical components. 

Step 8: Place and fit supply air diffusers. 

Step 9: Connect all air ducts to grilles and central unit. 

Step 10: Connect and set up control units. 

Step 11: Turn on the system and check that it works, that there are no leaks and that all parts are safely in place. 

Getting quotes from air conditioning specialists

Because of the size of the job, the electrical components and the importance of getting it done right, hiring a team of professionals to install your ducted air conditioning is advised. Many manufacturers won't provide a warranty unless their own team of experts installs the aircon system. 

The same company that supplies your air conditioning unit will normally be able to install it for you. It's a good idea to get itemised quotes that include both the cost of the unit and labour costs, as this gives you a chance to compare products versus installation costs and you may be able to negotiate a lower supply and installation cost from your preferred installer.

How to save on ducted air conditioning costs

Don't forget to factor the cost of running ducted air conditioning into your total costs. If you save a few hundred dollars by purchasing a smaller capacity system than your home requires, the money will be quickly lost as the air conditioning works harder to try to keep your home at the ideal temperature.

You can also save on running costs by keeping the house just a couple of degrees cooler in winter and warmer in summer than may initially feel ideal. For each degree Celsius warmer you set your thermostat in summer or cooler in winter, you can save 10% to 15% on your energy bills.

*Cost 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.