Split System vs Ducted Air Conditioning: Australia Guide [2026]

Split systems often suit one to three individual rooms. Ducted suits four or more--that is the rule that holds true for most Australian homes. 

A 2.5kW split system in a master bedroom costs $1,800 to $2,500 installed and runs cheaply when you only need that one room cool.

A ducted system for a four-bedroom house costs $10,000 to $22,000 installed and distributes conditioned air to every room from a single unit in the ceiling...

...the right choice depends on how many rooms you use, whether you are renovating or building new, and what your budget looks like across both the purchase and the long-term running costs.

We stock and sell both systems, so this comparison is genuinely unbiased: we will tell you which one makes sense for your situation, not which one costs more.

In this article

• What is actually different between the two?
• Cost comparison: upfront, installation, running
• When a split system is the right call
• When ducted air conditioning is the right call
• The hybrid approach
• Browse both systems
• Frequently asked questions

What is actually different between the two?

A split system has one outdoor compressor connected by refrigerant pipes to one wall-mounted indoor unit. It conditions one room or open-plan zone. The indoor unit is visible on the wall; the outdoor unit sits outside on a wall bracket or on the ground.

A ducted system has one large outdoor compressor connected to a central indoor unit hidden in the ceiling cavity.

That indoor unit pushes conditioned air through ductwork to ceiling vents in multiple rooms throughout the house. The only visible elements are the ceiling vents and a wall controller. The indoor unit itself is completely out of sight.

Both are reverse cycle: they cool in summer and heat in winter. Both run on inverter technology for efficient part-load operation. The meaningful differences are in scope (one room vs the whole house), cost, installation complexity, and visibility.

Cost comparison: upfront, installation, running

Factor	Split system	Ducted system
Supply price (unit only)	$765 to $1,600+ per unit	$2,149 to $5,000+ per system
Installed cost	$1,800 to $4,500 per unit	$10,000 to $22,000 whole home
4-room comparison (total installed)	$7,200 to $18,000 (4 units)	$10,000 to $22,000 (1 system)
Installation time	4 to 6 hours per unit	2 to 4 days
Electrical requirement	Single-phase, dedicated circuit	Often 3-phase; switchboard upgrade common
Running cost (1 room)	Lower (only runs where needed)	Higher if zoning not used correctly
Running cost (whole home)	Higher (multiple outdoor units)	Lower per room with good zoning
Indoor unit visibility	Visible wall unit	Hidden in ceiling; vents only
Typical lifespan	12 to 15 years	15 to 20 years
Property value added	1 to 2%	3 to 5%

One cost many buyers miss on ducted: if your home currently runs on single-phase power, a large ducted system may require a switchboard upgrade to three-phase power before the AC contractor can start work. That can add $1,500 to $3,000 to the project cost depending on your location and current switchboard condition. Ask your electrician before committing to a ducted system.

When a split system is the right call

You need to cool one to three specific rooms. Running a full ducted system to service a bedroom, a living room, and a home office is significantly more expensive than installing three separate split systems.

The upfront cost is similar at that count, but ducted brings higher complexity and maintenance costs for a job that split systems handle easily.

Your home has multiple levels. Ducted systems distribute air through ceiling ductwork, which means the system lives in one ceiling level. Multi-level homes typically cannot run a single ducted system across both floors without major structural work. Split systems can be installed on any level independently.

You are in a rental property or apartment. Ducted systems require roof space access, planning permission in some strata buildings, and significant installation work. A split system on a single wall is almost always the practical solution for apartments and rentals.

You want to start with one room and expand later. Split systems can be added one at a time. You are not committed to the full investment upfront. A ducted system is a whole-home decision that requires the full ductwork layout to be planned and installed in one project.

Budget is the primary filter. The entry cost for a quality split system in a bedroom is around $1,800 to $2,500 installed. A ducted system for the same house starts at $10,000. If the budget does not stretch to ducted, a well-placed split system in the rooms you use most is the right answer.

When ducted air conditioning is the right call

You need to condition four or more rooms. Four split systems with four outdoor units on the outside of your home costs more, looks worse, and requires more individual maintenance than one ducted system with four or more ceiling vents.

At four rooms or more, ducted becomes cost-competitive and operationally simpler.

You are building new or doing a full renovation. Installing ducted during a new build or major renovation is significantly cheaper than retrofitting into an existing home. When the ceiling cavity is open, ductwork is straightforward. Retrofitting into a finished ceiling adds labour cost and sometimes structural compromise.

Aesthetics are a priority. Ceiling vents and a single wall controller are invisible compared to wall-mounted indoor units in every room. For buyers who want no visible evidence of an air conditioning system inside their home, ducted is the only way to achieve it.

You plan to stay in the property for 5 or more years. Ducted adds 3 to 5% to property value in Australia according to real estate research, compared to 1 to 2% for split systems.

On a $700,000 home, that is a difference of up to $21,000 in additional resale value. Over a five-year ownership period, a ducted system at a higher upfront cost can pay back the difference.

You want whole-home consistency from one thermostat. A ducted system with zoning allows you to set a single temperature target and let the system manage every room from one controller.

Smart controllers like the AirTouch 5 add per-room and per-zone control via smartphone, giving ducted systems the individual room control that was previously only available with split systems.

The hybrid approach

Many Australian homes use a combination of both: ducted air conditioning for the main living areas and bedrooms on the ground floor, and split systems for upper levels, garages, or rooms added after the original build.

This hybrid approach works particularly well for double-storey homes where the ground floor is suitable for ducted installation (good ceiling cavity access) but the upper floor is not.

Two or three split systems on the upper level are simpler and cheaper than extending ductwork between levels.

It also suits homes where most rooms are ducted but one room, a garage conversion, a granny flat, or a home office added to the rear of the property, sits outside the ducted system's reach.

A single split system for that room is a clean solution without disrupting the ducted setup. If you are weighing up a hybrid design for your home, call us on 1300 156 466.

Our team has been designing split and ducted configurations for Sydney homes since 1989 and can give you a practical assessment based on your floor plan.

Browse both systems

Both options below ship supply-only. Installation by a licensed refrigerant technician is arranged separately and required by Australian law.

Frequently asked questions

Is ducted air conditioning better than split system?

For whole-home comfort in a four or more bedroom home, yes. A ducted system delivers even temperature across every room from a single outdoor unit, adds more property value, and keeps all hardware out of sight.

For one to three rooms, a split system is more cost-effective, easier to install, and cheaper to run when you only need to condition part of the house at a time.

How much cheaper is a split system than ducted?

For a single room, a split system installed runs $1,800 to $4,500 versus $10,000 to $22,000 for a ducted system that covers the whole home.

For four rooms, the comparison is closer: four split systems installed can total $7,200 to $18,000, while a ducted system for the same home runs $10,000 to $22,000 depending on home size and ductwork complexity.

The more rooms you need to condition, the more competitive ducted becomes.

Can ducted air conditioning be installed in an existing home?

Yes, but it is more involved than a new build installation. A licensed air conditioning contractor needs to access the ceiling cavity to route ductwork to each room, which can mean cutting new ceiling penetrations and possibly modifying roof insulation.

In homes with good ceiling access, retrofitting ducted is straightforward. In homes with limited roof space or complex layouts, it adds cost. Get a site inspection before committing.

Which system is better for a two-storey home?

Most two-storey homes use a hybrid approach: ducted on the ground floor where ceiling cavity access is good, and split systems on the upper level.

Running ductwork between levels requires penetrations through the floor structure, which is difficult and sometimes not possible depending on the building type.

Split systems on the upper floor installed through external walls are the simpler solution for most two-storey Australian homes.

Do I need a smart controller with ducted air conditioning?

Not required, but recommended. A standard ducted system comes with a basic wall controller. Smart controllers like the AirTouch 5 add per-room zone control via smartphone, schedules, and energy monitoring.

For a ducted system running across four or more zones, a smart controller pays back its cost in reduced energy use within a few years by letting you condition only the rooms that are occupied at any given time.