Choosing Between Ducted and Split Systems for Your Home

Choosing ducted vs split system air conditioning isn’t a question of best features vs worst features—in theory, the most appropriate system relies on real life living patterns, daily budgets, and prioritized needs. Both options work well for air conditioning; however, they operate best under separate circumstances that only reveal themselves upon in depth consideration.

How Home Design Influences Best Use

Open plan living spaces with multiple living rooms benefit from ducted systems as one unit covers the entire house. Instead of several wall units needed to keep the temperature relatively level between rooms, a ducted system has a central unit from which air disperses into each area.

Conversely, split systems air conditioners work best in homes with more defined rooms utilized at separate times. For example, if a family gathers in the living room on evenings but huddles up in home offices during the day, there’s no need to cool down the rest of the house—merely the spaces needed at that time. Thus, split systems installed only in the rooms where families use their time create economical conditions without cooling spaces that do not need comfort.

The physical structure determines which is best systems, too. Ducted systems operate best in homes with ceilings where accessing units and duct work is an easy choice. Homes with limited roof access or concrete ceilings generate higher installation costs for ducted units. Sometimes this reason changes one’s preferences from ducted to split since they desire another system but they’re limited in access.

Renovation limitations exist in some older homes where ducts become too complicated to run nicely (or affordably). Without ceilings, ducted systems are not possible and split systems simply punch a hole through the wall to facilitate refrigerant line accessibility.

The Cost Factor—Initial Outlay

Ducted systems cost more upfront. It’s one unit inside, one unit outside connected by ducts and installation hours for a system that connects to every room. A situation crying for comprehensive climate control would benefit from installations by ducted air conditioning canberra professionals since they know how to get the whole job done at once.

Split systems cost less for entry. One room’s indoor and outdoor unit is exponentially cheaper than one unit for the whole ducted system set up. Furthermore, it is often more cost effective to add units later to cover multiple rooms as needed over time instead of getting it all at once.

The Cost Factor—Time is Money

Yet here’s the rub: three or four good quality split systems will cost about the same as getting in entry level ducted systems with units and installation. This could change the decision makers thoughts at once as it’s no longer a cost effective choice but instead, based on other criteria.

If one anticipates starting with one split, however, they may save money up front but if they also intend on adding split units later on as needed room by room, this savings disappears quickly as ducted systems could have covered that total expense from the start without forcing extra work on a later middle ground with added final costs, too.

If one operates in a ducted system, they enjoy the same temperature throughout. If the kids wake up for school and walk to the bedroom for breakfast and their mom’s home office is at the opposite end but set to a cooler temperature for work’s sake, there’s still a consistent feeling throughout the house that keeps everyone awake and out of pajamas. Thus for families who appreciate cross room amenities or for small children (who may not have clothes on) wandering around, keeping one temperature everywhere makes sense.

But for a home where one person likes it cooler at night but another likes a comfortable range during working hours—and each has room to occupy—split systems make it less awkward to negotiate since every room can have their own temperature.

Energy Use Considerations

Energy usage patterns differ depending on systems. Ducted systems supply air conditioning to an entire house when they’re running—even if only segments are utilized—but cooling off areas too far away isn’t budgetary friendly. However, newer zoning controls allow users to turn off unused zones so now ducted systems are more energy efficient than before.

Split systems, however, only cool the rooms they are installed within if they’re running at all. Thus if a family only lives part time in certain rooms, they don’t have to worry about paying more for ventilation—again, this works if the intended use is actually similar to what spaces are in play without theoretical efficiency taking over.

Aesthetically Appealing Systems

Conversely, split systems place indoor units up on walls, essentially making them eyesores for some people. The longer they’re there and running without issue, the less one’s owner eye notices—but those who value design aesthetics often have issues with wall mounted forced air units all over their house. Outdoor units multiply with split systems; if four people use three indoor units in four different rooms, then there will be four outdoor units hanging around outside as well.

Ducted systems hide everything except ceiling vents. The main unit gets installed up inside roof space without any homeowner ever seeing it again; outdoor condensers sit behind outdoor spaces while grilles sitting unobtrusively inside rooms are as minor as possible for people who care about how things look inside their house when it’s all said and done.

The Maintenance Factor

When it comes to servicing air conditioned units over time, ducted systems require servicing one main unit and an annual check equals less hassle than having several visits for several indoor adjustments each year. Furthermore, filter changes occur at the return air grille instead of having to climb up ladders through the house’s various wall units and installation points to check everything everywhere—unless it’s taken out completely.

Split systems require each indoor unit to service individually year round—and if one is malfunctioning, it could be easy to fix while others keep running great; with ducted systems, until the main issue is serviced as well, no good quality air can come through until that’s sorted.

Longer ownership times warrant checks beyond what’s normal over time. Duct work needs to be checked down the line; leaks or poorly insulated ducts mean inefficiency and energy waste down the line. This ultimately doesn’t matter with split systems as there are no ducts but instead refrigerant lines punched through walls on an as needed basis.

Deciding What’s Right Comes Down Matching Needs

Ultimately, it’s a matter of matching what’s best suited vs general assumptions as opposed to what’s wrong vs right generally speaking. A family who benefits from using their entire home daily—especially if they budget for it—would benefit from ducted involvement. However, a couple living comfortably out of two or three rooms would benefit more from strategic splits if finances are tighter.

Starting with simple considerations like home structure ceilings and accessibility above before taking usage patterns and budget into account ultimately leads to decisions that make sense over time. No system is better than another—they’re different tools for different situations and finding what’s right and appropriate will make any home satisfied without second guessing an alternative down the line.