Split System vs Ducted: Which Air Conditioning is Best for You?

When it comes to cooling Australian homes, two air conditioning types dominate the market: split systems and ducted systems. Each has passionate advocates, and each excels in different situations. This comprehensive comparison will help you understand the key differences and determine which type best suits your home, budget, and lifestyle.

Understanding the Basics

What is a Split System Air Conditioner?

A split system consists of two connected units: an indoor unit mounted on your wall that blows cooled or heated air into the room, and an outdoor unit containing the compressor that sits outside your home. A single split system cools one room or zone, though you can install multiple units throughout your house.

What is a Ducted Air Conditioning System?

A ducted system is a whole-home solution where a single large unit (typically installed in the roof space or under the floor) connects to a network of insulated ducts. These ducts distribute conditioned air to multiple rooms through vents in ceilings or floors. Zone control allows you to direct airflow to specific areas as needed.

Cost Comparison

Budget is often the primary deciding factor, so let's break down the real costs of each option.

Upfront Costs

Split systems are significantly cheaper per unit:

• Unit cost: $600-3,500 depending on capacity and brand
• Installation: $400-800 per unit
• Total for single unit: $1,000-4,300
• For a 3-bedroom home (3 units): $3,500-10,000

Ducted systems require significant upfront investment:

• Unit and ductwork: $6,000-15,000
• Installation: $2,000-5,000
• Total typical range: $8,000-20,000+
• Large homes or complex installations can exceed $25,000

Running Costs

This is where the comparison gets interesting. Running costs depend on how you use each system:

Split systems:

• Only run the rooms you're using—potentially very efficient
• Individual units can be controlled independently
• Running 3 split systems simultaneously uses more power than equivalent ducted

Ducted systems:

• Zone control allows running only needed areas—similar to multiple splits
• Without zoning, you're cooling the whole house even if using one room
• Generally more efficient when cooling multiple rooms simultaneously
• Single outdoor unit is often more efficient than multiple split outdoors

Aesthetics and Design

How air conditioning affects your home's appearance matters to many homeowners.

Split System Appearance

Split systems have visible indoor units on your walls. Modern designs are sleek and unobtrusive, but they're still visible. Consider:

• Indoor units are typically white rectangular boxes (some designer colours available)
• Outdoor units are visible on external walls or on the ground
• Multiple units mean multiple visible indoor installations
• Premium brands offer slimmer, more stylish designs

Ducted System Appearance

Ducted systems offer near-invisible installation:

• Only small ceiling or floor vents are visible inside
• All equipment is hidden in roof space or under floors
• Single outdoor unit (though larger than a split outdoor unit)
• Clean, premium appearance with no wall-mounted units

Performance Comparison

Cooling and Heating Effectiveness

Split systems excel at conditioning the specific room where they're installed. They reach temperature quickly and maintain consistent comfort in their zone. However, adjacent rooms may not benefit much from the cooled air.

Ducted systems provide more even temperatures throughout the home. Properly designed duct layouts ensure consistent airflow to all zones, eliminating hot and cold spots common when using individual room units.

Noise Levels

Split systems place the compressor outside, so indoor units are very quiet (19-26 dB for quality units). You hear only a gentle fan. However, with multiple outdoor units, you have more potential outdoor noise sources.

Ducted systems have the indoor fan unit in the roof or under the floor, which can create slight background noise. Quality installations minimise this with insulated ducts and proper equipment selection. A single, larger outdoor unit may be quieter than multiple split outdoor units running simultaneously.

Temperature Control

Split systems offer independent control of each room—perfect for households where different family members prefer different temperatures, or where unused rooms shouldn't be conditioned.

Ducted systems traditionally used a single thermostat, but modern zone control systems now offer individual temperature sensors and controls for different areas. High-end systems can match split system flexibility.

Installation Considerations

Split System Installation

• Relatively straightforward—typically completed in 2-4 hours per unit
• Requires a hole through the wall for refrigerant piping
• Minimal disruption to daily life
• Can be added incrementally as budget allows
• Suitable for apartments, units, and houses

Ducted System Installation

• Major installation requiring 1-3 days
• Needs adequate roof or underfloor space for equipment and ducts
• Best installed during construction or major renovation
• Retrofitting to existing homes can be challenging and more expensive
• May require ceiling modifications for vents

Which is Best for Your Situation?

Choose Split Systems If:

• You're on a tighter budget and want to spread costs over time
• You only need to cool 1-3 rooms regularly
• You're renting or live in an apartment where ducted isn't possible
• Your home lacks adequate roof space for ductwork
• You want independent temperature control in each room
• You're adding air conditioning to an existing home with minimal disruption
• Different family members have very different temperature preferences

Choose Ducted Systems If:

• You want to cool your entire home consistently
• Aesthetics matter—you don't want visible wall units
• You're building new or doing major renovations
• You have adequate roof or floor space
• You plan to use climate control in multiple rooms simultaneously
• You're adding value to your home (ducted adds resale appeal)
• Budget allows for higher upfront investment

The Multi-Split Alternative

Worth mentioning is the multi-split system—a hybrid approach that connects multiple indoor units to a single outdoor unit. This offers some benefits of both worlds:

• Lower cost than full ducted installation
• Independent room control like standard splits
• Only one outdoor unit (less external clutter)
• More efficient than running multiple separate outdoor units

Multi-splits suit medium-sized homes wanting to cool 3-5 rooms without full ducted investment.

Making Your Decision

The best choice depends on your specific circumstances. Consider:

1. Budget: What can you afford now, and what makes sense long-term?
2. Property type: Is ducted even feasible in your home?
3. Usage patterns: How many rooms do you typically condition simultaneously?
4. Aesthetics: How important is a clean, hidden installation?
5. Future plans: Are you staying long enough to benefit from a larger investment?

Both systems, properly sized and installed, will keep your home comfortable. There's no universally "better" option—only the better option for your specific situation. Take time to assess your needs, get quotes for both options, and make an informed decision based on your priorities.

Ready to explore options? Use our product comparison tool to browse split systems, or contact us with questions about either system type.