Shopping for a new air conditioner can be confusing.
There are multiple different kinds of air conditioning units, each designed for specific homes and designs. There are multiple brands, too, all with individual advantages and disadvantages. With minimal knowledge and experience with air conditioning installation, it can be difficult to make a confident purchase.
At Air Conditioning Industries, we want to make the shopping and installation process simple.
In this blog post, we explain the difference between the two most common domestic air conditioning types – ducted air conditioning and split system air conditioning – plus highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each so you can make an educated decision.
Ducted air conditioning
What is it?
Ducted air conditioning works – as the name suggests – through a series of ducts circulating air throughout your home. To create circulation and a refreshing, cooling effect, the ducted air conditioning has its own internal unit – otherwise known as a fancoil – installed in the ceiling
From this central fancoil, a series of ducts run throughout the house, giving you the ability to control heating and cooling in individual rooms, rather than the house as a whole. This is called zoning and is ideal for larger homes or homes where each person prefers different temperatures.
We all know a cold-frog who needs the heating on at all times!
What kind of home would suit ducted air conditioning?
Ducted air conditioning units are quite large and complex to install, so these units are not recommended for renters or people who own small apartments.
Instead, these air conditioning units are ideal for larger homes with lots of rooms needing heating or cooling. Ducted air conditioning gives homeowners the option of cooling the entire house or just selected rooms or zones.
Ducted air conditioning is versatile. You can choose to cool or warm certain zones or, alternatively, you can turn the whole thing off to save power. You can total control over the temperature and comfort of your home, while also having the power to keep energy costs down.
What are the pros and cons of ducted air conditioning?
Still tossing up about getting ducted air conditioning? Here’s a guide to the pros and cons of getting this modern, versatile unit:
| Pros | Cons |
| You have total control over the temperature throughout the whole house or just individual rooms | More expensive and complex to install in most homes |
| More discrete than most air conditioning units – normally tucked away in th ceiling or behind a wall | Some homes can’t accommodate a ducted air conditioning unit as they are so large |
| Quieter than split system air conditioning or portable fans |
Split system air conditioning
What is it split system air conditioning?
Ever seen an air conditioning unit connected to a wall? You’re looking at split system air conditioning. These standard air conditioning units are quite common in smaller homes. As the name suggests, split system air conditioners are split into two main units – one evaporative heat exchanger that blows warm or cool air throughout the room and the condensing heat exchanger (normally located outside the house). Split system air conditioning is so common because of the attractive purchase price – these units can be purchased in-store or from an air conditioning installation business like Air Conditioning Industries for around $2K on average. The low price and quick, simple installation make split system air conditioning the easy choice for homeowners everywhere.
What kind of home would suit split system air conditioning?
Split system air conditioning units can be installed in all kinds of homes, from mansions to small apartments in the city. These units can be installed within a day and usually have minimal effect on the structural elements of the house – meaning installation is non-invasive and can be completed within a matter of hours. The major downfall of this kind of unit is that it can rarely cool an entire home. Unlike ducted air conditioning, split system units are better suited for cooling a single room or large, open area.
What are the pros and cons of split system air conditioning?
Unsure whether split system air conditioning is right for you? Check out the pros and cons of this kind of air conditioning below:
| Pros | Cons |
| Cost effective (around $1,000 – $2,000 to purchase) | Struggle to circulate air further than one large room |
| Quick to install (can be completed in a day or less) |
Unlike ducted air conditioning, theunit can be seen (mounted on a wall) |
| Non-invasive to structural elements of the home (often just needs to be mounted on a wall) | The external condenser can be considered unattractive |
| Flexible (can be installed anywherein the house) | |
| Better for small homes and apartments |
Talk to a trained professional about which AC is right for you
Not all air conditioning units are right for all homes. Different units suit different homes – for example, ducted air conditioning would be most effective in a large house with lots of rooms, whereas a split system air conditioning unit would cool one room in the same house, but none of the others. The final decision is up to you – however, we recommend discussing your options with an experienced air conditioning technician, like the team at Air Conditioning Industries. Our dedicated team in Newcastle will take a tailored approach to help choose the right air conditioning for your home.
