Is Ducted Air Conditioning Worth It in Brisbane?

Is Ducted Air Conditioning Needed?

Ducted air conditioning is worth it if you want whole-home climate control, discreet vents, and centralised zoning. While more expensive to install, it offers unmatched comfort and resale appeal especially in larger or multi-storey homes.

Ducted Air Conditioning In Brisbane

An added advantage often overlooked is its ability to heat your home using reverse cycle technology. This means the same system that keeps your home cool in summer can also warm it in winter. In Brisbane, where cooler months are brief, this built-in heating offers practical comfort without the need for additional appliances.

What you gain is an all-in-one climate control system that adapts throughout the year. It cools efficiently when needed and warms when required, maintaining a clean and seamless aesthetic in every part of your home.

1. What Is Ducted Air Conditioning

• A single indoor unit, usually installed in the ceiling space
• An outdoor condenser, connected through insulated piping
• A concealed network of ducts distributing conditioned air to each room
• Vents positioned in the ceiling for a clean, streamlined look
• A zoned controller, allowing you to customise airflow to different areas of the home

This system provides both cooling and heating through reverse cycle technology,so one system can keep your home climate controlled all year round.

2. When Ducted Makes Sense

It Is a Great fit if:

• You want a discreet, streamlined heating and cooling solution
• You have a larger home (3+ bedrooms or multiple living areas)
• You want to cool multiple rooms at the same time
• You’re renovating or building from scratch
• You care about resale value, as ducted is a premium feature

3. When Ducted Might Be Overkill

Ducted isn’t always the best fit. It may not suit if:

• Your home has limited ceiling space (for ducts and indoor unit)
• You’re only cooling 1–2 rooms regularly
• Your switchboard or roof structure isn’t rated for the load
• You need a budget-friendly install

In these cases, we’ll often recommend multi-split system or standard split systems instead.

4. Pros and Cons of Ducted Air Conditioning

Ducted air conditioning offers one of the most comprehensive climate solutions for your home.
Like any system, it comes with advantages and limitations.

Pros	Cons
Efficiently cools and heats your entire home	Higher upfront cost than split systems
Discreet ceiling vents preserve interior design	Installation may be more invasive during retrofits
Zoned control allows targeted usage and energy savings	May require a switchboard upgrade in older homes
Increases the value and appeal of your property	Less efficient for cooling or heating just one room
Reverse cycle systems provide both heating and cooling

5. Zoning: The Secret to Smarter Cooling (and heating)

Modern ducted systems come with zoning, which means you don’t have to run the entire house at once. Zoning lets you:

• Turn off unused rooms
• Set different temperatures in different areas
• Schedule zones on timers or smart thermostats

We’ll design the zone layout around how your family actually uses the space.

6. Can You Run Ducted on Solar?

Yes and in fact, solar is one of the smartest ways to reduce ducted running costs.
The key is to:

• Use a reverse-cycle inverter unit
• Run it during daylight hours
• Size your solar system accordingly
• Consider a battery or time-shifting if evening use is common

We cover this more in our air conditioning and solar pairing guide.

7. Installation Timeline and Planning

A typical ducted install takes 1–2 days, depending on ceiling access, roof pitch, and switchboard status. Our process includes:

• Room-by-room airflow design
• Ducting layout to avoid restrictions
• Noise and vibration minimisation
• Load testing and COES compliance
• Post-install walkthrough and system test

You’ll get full handover instructions and filter maintenance tips.

Book An Air Conditioning Consultation

Ducted air conditioning delivers comfort, control and a streamlined look. If you need to cool more than a few rooms or want to future-proof your property with added resale value, it is often the smarter long-term choice.

We design systems tailored to your home, usage patterns and energy goals. Whether you’re building a new property or upgrading an older one, our team will guide you through every step from load calculations to zoning and efficiency planning.

Ducted Air Conditioning FAQs

Is ducted better than split systems?

It depends on your needs. Ducted is better for full-house cooling and aesthetics. Split systems are better for targeted use and lower cost.

Does ducted cooling cost more to run?

Yes, but zoning and smart controls can reduce costs significantly—especially when paired with solar.

Can I install ducted in an existing home?

Usually, yes. It depends on roof cavity space and structure. We inspect and advise before quoting. Often ducted is put into new home builds OR a home that is getting an extensive renovation.

How long does a ducted system last?

With maintenance, most systems last 10–15 years. Ducts and vents will need servicing and cleaning over time.

Precision Electrical & Air: Brisbane Ducted Air Conditioning