Split System Air Conditioning Vs Ducted System: Pros & Cons

By ACR Solutions, January 7, 2022

Are you searching for a new cooling or heating system for your home, but you’re not sure what to choose? Split and ducted air conditioning systems are the most popular options in households across Australia—but which option would work best for you?

In this article, we’ll talk about what split and ducted systems are, helping you become more informed before you make your decision. We’ll then list out the pros and cons of each system so you can comfortably make the right choice.

Let’s dive in.

What Is A Split System Air Conditioning?

Split system air conditioning is a type of heating and cooling system that splits the air conditioner into two parts—one unit for the outside of your home, and one (or more) for the inside.

They’re popular among Australian homeowners—especially with newly-built homes—because they’re quiet and easy to install, among other reasons.

A split system’s external unit contains the condenser and compressor components, while its internal unit contains the evaporator. This setup is different from a typical reverse cycle air conditioning system, where the compressor, condenser and evaporator all exist within one unit.

What Is Ducted Air Conditioning?

Ducted air conditioners are central cooling systems. These systems work via a compressor that pipes refrigerant to (and through) a building’s internal ductwork, creating a cool, dry, and odour-free environment.

With ducted air conditioning, air travels through the ducts from one location, heating or cooling several rooms at once. Each room will heat or cool uniformly, following a single temperature setting.

Split System: Pros & Cons

Now, let’s discuss the pros and cons of split system air conditioners. Weighing up these advantages and disadvantages can help you make the right choice for your home.

We’ll start with the pros. Split system air conditioners are:

Energy-efficient,
Flexible (i.e., you can control the temperature of individual rooms)
Quiet,
Eco-friendly,
Simple to install,
Easy to maintain,
Use less power than central systems.

Now for the cons. Split system A/Cs:

Are more expensive to install than traditional A/C systems,
Need to be installed in a specific location (i.e., the external and internal units generally can’t be more than 30 meters apart)
Produce a lot of noise through the external compressor unit.

Ducted: Pros & Cons

But what about ducted air conditioning systems? Let’s discuss them now.

Starting with the pros, ducted air conditioners are:

Discreet (i.e., there’s no need for large, bulky internal units),
Highly effective for cooling an entire home,
Economical (i.e., if you’d otherwise install multiple split system units, installing a ducted system can be cheaper).

In terms of cons, ducted systems also:

Are expensive to install and operate,
Are more complicated to install,
Require regular, ongoing maintenance and repair.

So, What’s The Best Choice For Me?

Are you ready to make your decision? Here’s a quick summary to help you finalise your choice.

Split system air conditioners are a great option if you want more control over your home’s temperature, such as cooling down one room at a time. They’re also a more energy-efficient and eco-friendly option than other systems—so while they’re expensive to install, you’ll quickly recoup the costs in energy savings.

On the other hand, ducted systems are fantastic for maintaining a consistent temperature throughout your home. They’re also the most effective and durable option for home heating and cooling.

For advice on choosing and installing the best air conditioning system for your home, contact the ACR Solutions team today.