What is the difference between ducted and split air conditioning?
A split system has an indoor unit mounted in the room and an outdoor unit outside. It heats and cools the room or open area it sits in. A ducted system has one indoor unit, usually in the roof or under the floor, and one outdoor unit. Air travels through ducts to vents in each room.
Both types can run reverse cycle, so they heat and cool. Both can use inverter technology, which adjusts output instead of switching on and off. We install brands including Fujitsu and Hisense. The real difference is how many spaces you want to treat and how the system fits your house.
When is a split system the better choice?
A split suits a single room, a main living area, a bedroom or a granny flat. It also suits homes with no usable roof space or underfloor access. Installation is simpler and less disruptive, because there are no ducts to run.
Splits also suit households that only use one or two areas during the day. You run the unit in the room you are in and leave the rest off. The catch is that costs and wall units add up if you want every room covered. Three or four indoor units can mean several outdoor units, or a multi split system, and a wall unit in each room.
When does ducted air conditioning make sense?
Ducted suits a home where you want most rooms comfortable. It gives an even temperature, with no wall units and only discreet vents. A zone controller such as AirTouch 5 lets you switch zones on and off, so you are not cooling bedrooms in the middle of the day.
Ducted needs space for the indoor unit and duct runs, and it needs enough return air. Return air is how the system draws air back in. Our rule of thumb is a 900 x 500 return grille for 10 to 14 kW ducted systems, and 900 x 550 for 16 kW and above. Too little return air means noise and poor airflow.
What affects the cost of each option?
Installation prices depend on the house, so we quote once we have seen it. For a split, the main drivers are the size of the unit, how many rooms you need, and how far the indoor unit sits from the outdoor unit. For ducted, the drivers include system size, number of zones, duct runs, access to the roof or underfloor, and any electrical work needed.
Running costs matter as well. A well sized system with sensible zoning costs less to run than a big one cooling empty rooms. If you have solar, daytime running can be partly offset by what your panels produce. Finance is available through humm for approved applicants.
How does Delta Temp help you decide?
For ducted, we do a free site inspection before we quote. After the inspection, the quote is fixed. We look at your roof or underfloor space, your layout and your return air options, then tell you what suits the house. If a split is the better fit, we will say so.
Delta Temp Climate Solutions is based at 2/11 Abeles Street, Baringa, and services the Sunshine Coast from Caboolture to Noosa. We are QBCC licensed, ARC authorised and insured. Installations carry a 10 year workmanship warranty. Manufacturer warranties are 5 years for Fujitsu and 7 years for Hisense, parts and labour. A Comfort Club servicing plan is available too. Call 1800 335 828 or visit deltatemp.com.au to book.
