What are Ducted Air Conditioners?

Daikin Multi-Split House

As their name might suggest, ducted air conditioners work primarily through a series of ducts to keep your home cool. They consist of an internal fan coil unit which is installed in the roof space of the home from which the ducts run into as many rooms as the home owner desires. Each room can be designated as a different controllable zone to keep at certain temperatures individually. This is done so by the thermostat on the wall, allowing you to select the temperature and other settings. A great example would be MyAir, which not only controls zones but also adds a whole slew of features for ducted refrigerated air conditioning control. The ease of cooling a whole house efficiently is apparent here, especially if you’re constructing a new home or are doing renovations, then ducted air conditioning is a viable choice for your home, especially in Melbourne where we have such a variable rise and fall in temperature. For more information about what ducted air conditioning is, please feel free to give us a call.

There is a large undertaking required to install ducted refrigerated air conditioning, and so many people in established homes may find themselves turned off of the idea. If you only need to heat or cool one particular room, then a split system unit may be more suited to your home. However, ducted air conditioning is considered to be the most effective air conditioner to cool or heat your home, especially if your Melbourne system supports ducted air conditioning zoning such as with a MyAir control panel.

MyAir Control System Upgrade

While all ducted refrigerated air conditioning comes with a control panel whether it supports zones or not, most of our customers opt to upgrade to a MyAir control panel which adds a number of zoning and ease of life features. Rather than create a massive list of features, take a look at the instructional video which highlights every function of the MyAir Series 5 control panel:

Is Ducted Refrigerated Air Conditioning installation right for me?

Ducted refrigerated air conditioning may or may not be the right choice for your home, depending on what your requirements are as well as your home layout.

If your primary need for air conditioning is to cool one or two rooms, then ducted A/C may be overkill. You might be better off installing split system units in these rooms. Although if your primary need is to effectively and efficiently cool the entire house, especially if you have a family, then ducted air conditioning is definitely the better option as you have complete control over the “zones” in your house, allowing you to efficiently control exactly which rooms need cooling, and not having unoccupied rooms wasting power.

Selecting a System

If you are looking to put a brand new ducted system in an existing house (as opposed to incorporating it into a new build), you’ll need to take into account a whole lot of details about the structure, inside and out. You should have all of the following info before you decide on a specific ducted air conditioning system:

  • Your home’s floor plan: How many levels are there? What are the dimensions of the rooms (including ceiling height)? Which direction do the rooms face?
  • The size, position and orientation of windows and doors.
  • The type of construction (for example, weatherboard or full brick).
  • The level of insulation.
  • The number of people living in your home.
  • The main use of each area (for example, sleeping, living, cooking).
  • The ceiling cavity space – slimline systems are available for homes with small ceiling spaces.
  • The limitations of your outdoor spaces – just as with split system air conditioners, the outdoor compressor unit(s) needs to be installed somewhere where noise won’t be an issue (for you or your neighbours!).
  • Large systems may require a three-phase power supply, which will be an extra installation cost if you don’t already have it.

The Daikin Range

Daikin offers 4 different ducted air conditioning solutions. Take a look below.

PREMIUM INVERTER DUCTED


Designed to deliver incredible energy performance, R22 retrofit capability and design flexibility.

  • Heating or cooling your entire home
  • Small to large houses
  • Retrofitting an old R22 ducted system

INVERTER DUCTED


Engineered to be compact in design to fit into any tight roof space common in modern homes.

  • Heating or cooling your entire home
  • Small to large houses
  • Houses with limited roof space and outdoor space

SLIM-LINE DUCTED


Designed to suit specific situations where ceiling space is limited. Slim-Line is extremely flexible.

  • Heating or cooling multiple rooms
  • Narrow ceiling spaces
  • Bedroom air conditioning

BULKHEAD SYSTEM


Ideal for those scenarios in which discreet installation is preferred.

  • Heating or cooling one area of your home
  • Drop ceilings & shallow ceilings
  • Bedroom air conditioning

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From first contact with Efficient Air team it was an easy process. Every appointment from quote to installation was on time and professional. We had a full under floor gas heating system installed. Everything went smoothly with no issues. From my experience ,I would and will, recommend Efficient Air for your heating cooling requirements. Worth giving them a call. Truly Efficient and great price too.

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Value for Money

Installing a new ducted air conditioning system in your home can initially be a costly investment. However it is often cheaper than installing multiple split systems in every room, and adds an extra level of control for similar if not better results. You need to be serious about cooling your home if you are going down either of these roads, so you have probably already determined whether this is the right choice or not.

If your goal is to use the ducted air conditioning zoning feature of your new system and maintain a balance of cooling only when rooms are occupied, then in the long run, ducted air conditioning can be quite cost effective. To help with this, smart thermostats like MyAir can include motion sensors in different rooms to maintain temperature while there is an occupant, and switch off cooling if someone leaves that room.

Pleasing to the Eyes and Ears

Example of ducted air conditioning

Unlike other cooling solutions, ducted air conditioning is a very visually elegant solution.

Their only visible features are discreet grills mounted in the ceiling or floor, which do not at all intrude into the overall look of your rooms like a wall hung unit.

Along with their pleasing aesthetics, ducted air conditioning can be very quiet, comparatively to other systems. With all of the noise producing equipment either in the ceiling, under the floor or outside, ducted air conditioning is by far the quietest of all air conditioning options by far.

Pros and Cons

Like all air conditioning systems, there are always pros and cons that come with each. Here or some pros and cons for ducted refrigerated air conditioning systems:

Pros

  • Very discreet, tucked away behind walls and ceilings
  • Services the entire house, but each room can have different settings if the AC is zoned
  • Is better at maintaining an even temperature throughout the house
  • Quieter than split system AC

Cons

  • A more expensive option to initially install
  • Some homes cannot accommodate ducted air conditioning due to inadequate space
  • If you’re looking to only cool a single room at any given time you’ll have to pay the energy costs of cooling the entire house (unless your ducted AC is zoned)

Melbourne Ducted Air Conditioning Installation

Installing ducted air conditioning is one of our specialities. Our installation process is hassle-free, and we will have your new system up and running in no time! Our qualified staff take extra care to make sure that your ducted air conditioning system is the right one for your home and its position is perfect. You will be the proud owner of a new system that will keep your home comfortable through both summer and winter. We are the best at what we do and we are both affordable and thorough.

Take a look at some of the options out there from these leading brands:

Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, ActronAir, Panasonic, and Hitachi.

Why Have a Professional for Your Ducted Air Conditioning Installation

There are several reasons why having a professional installer do the ducted air conditioning for your Melbourne home is a good idea.

Ensuring your ducted system in Melbourne is correctly sized is key to its function and efficiency. An expert can look into your home’s specifics, such as its size, layout, and thermal properties, to suggest a system that fits your climate control needs without excess energy use. Adherence to local building codes and regulations is critical, and professional installers have this knowledge, ensuring your installation complies with all standards, avoiding future legal or safety complications.

The strategic positioning of vents and outlets is essential for even air distribution and maintaining a consistent temperature throughout. Installers with the right expertise will determine the best placement for these components, ensuring comfort in every room. Proper ductwork installation is paramount to prevent energy loss. Something we see frequently is poorly sized/designed ductwork which can affect airflow and performance regardless of the brand of unit used. This can also have a serious effect on running costs. A qualified ducted air conditioning installation expert in Melbourne helps fit in and seal your ductwork correctly, enhancing the system’s efficiency and performance.

A professionally installed system doesn’t just work better initially—it also lasts longer. Correct installation and maintenance mean fewer breakdowns and less need for repairs. Energy efficiency is a significant benefit of professional installation. It leads to lower energy consumption, which translates into savings on your energy bills and a reduced environmental impact.

Good indoor air quality is a health benefit of a well-installed ducted air conditioning system. It effectively removes dust, allergens, and other pollutants, which is especially important for those with respiratory issues or allergies. Installers can provide maintenance tips to keep your system running smoothly, ensuring it operates at peak efficiency and helping to catch potential problems early.

Your unique requirements are considered by professional installers who tailor the system to suit your lifestyle and comfort preferences, ensuring personal satisfaction. In commercial settings, professional installation is essential for creating a comfortable environment for employees and clients, directly impacting the success of your business.

For More Information on Ducted Air Conditioning, Talk to the Experts Today

Efficient Air is a locally owned and operated business and has been servicing Melbourne’s heating and cooling needs for over 22 years. We are a family business with over 40 years of experience. Only employing the most qualified and skilled tradesman, ensuring high quality, professional work always.

Our commitment is to provide high quality, affordable heating and ducted cooling solutions in Melbourne with honest and expert advice.

Some of the services we offer include:

If you want honest, reliable and expert services, you can’t go past Efficient Air!

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Installation was done in a very short time after ordering. Arrived promptly, fitted in with ,my time needs, worked efficiently, very pleasant tradesmen (even helped me dispose of a spider - thankyou). Left everything clean.

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