Ducted air conditioning is indisputably the pinnacle of household heating and cooling. Unlike conventional air conditioners which can usually only cool one or two rooms, ducted air con uses vents (or ducts) in the walls and ceiling to distribute conditioned air across your entire home. In addition, most modern ducted air conditioning systems are ‘zoned’, meaning different rooms can be set to different temperatures to keep everyone happy.
Unfortunately though, great air conditioning will come a large price tag. So, how much can you expect ducted air conditioning to cost? Canstar Blue explains below.
On this page:
How much does ducted air conditioning installation cost?
The more zones you have in your home, the more expensive ducted air con becomes. The exact price you can expect to pay will depend on the size of your property, including the number of floors, outlets and temperature zones, as well as the level of insulation, number of people living in the home, and the type of construction – among various other things. For that reason, it’s important to understand this advice is general and a professional supplier will need to give a quote tailored to your personal circumstance.
According to general estimates from Perth-based Air Conditioning company, Global Cool Air, however, ducted air conditioning can cost anywhere from less than $9,000 to $20,000 to install in a home, depending on the size and number of zones being fitted. Below, we have included a general guide, based on Global Cool Air’s estimates for homes, broken down by storey levels and rooms. Please note, for an accurate installation price relevant to your home, it is best to contact a licensed retailer for more information.
| Property Size | Average Cost Estimate |
|---|---|
| Small, single-storey home: 2-3 bedrooms | $9,000 – $11,500 |
| Medium home, single-storey home: 3-5 bedrooms | $12,000 – $14,500 |
| Large, multi-storey home: 4-6 bedrooms | $15,000 – $20,000 |
Source: Global Cool Air, General Guide Only.
From the above, it may be worthwhile then for small premises to consider if a split system air conditioner could be a better option, given the potentially significant price commitment to ducted air conditioning for smaller living spaces.
When looking into ducted air conditioning it’ll likely pay to look around and collect plenty of quotes from different suppliers. While some suppliers will be able to quote a cheaper price, you should be prepared to ask questions if there is a significant price difference. It might be the case that one retailer has quoted you for a standard ducted system, while the other has quoted you on a quieter and more efficient inverter system.
Read More: Winter Heating Costs
Compare Electricity Prices
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
How much does ducted air conditioning cost to run?
Ducted air conditioning will cost the average household between $97 and $1,457 in electricity costs for heating, and between $384 and $1,964 in electricity costs for cooling, depending on the climate zone a state or territory resides in. The exact cost however, will depend on your specific electricity provider, tariff structure and home energy usage.
There are plenty of ways to reduce the cost of ducted air conditioning, such as buying an energy efficient system, adjusting the temperature, installing insulation or trying some other practical solution. Alternatively, make sure you’re getting the best price on electricity.
Compare electricity retailers in your state using Canstar Blue’s customer satisfaction ratings. See prices and products with the following guides:
Is ducted air conditioning right for me?
Ducted air conditioners are objectively top-of-the-line, but they aren’t necessarily the right choice for everyone. The first and most obvious point we’ll make is that in order to install the necessary vents, fans and motors for ducted air con, you will need to own the property or have permission from the owner. If the property isn’t yet built, then it’s relatively easy for the installer to set you up with everything you need.
If the house is already built, then ducted installation may be harder to justify, as it could require parts of the walls and ceiling to be torn out. Needless to say, this can be terribly inconvenient and add thousands of dollars to the installation costs.
If you decide ducted air conditioning is right for you, then don’t take any chances with your choice of supplier. Only operate through reputable, licensed air conditioner retailers. Some of the biggest names in ducted air conditioning are Daikin, Fujitsu, Mitsubishi Electric, Samsung and ActronAir to name a few.
Share this article