Installing a ducted air conditioning system in your home can be a massive investment. It’s important to consider all the pros & cons before making such an important decision that will impact you and your family for years to come.
The main advantage of a ducted air conditioning system is that it can cool and heat multiple rooms from one central point. This is achieved by connecting an indoor unit to a series of ducts which run from the unit in your roof cavity through your home. The system is then able to be controlled by the use of thermostats or remote control, meaning you can have your home perfectly cooled/heated as you desire, all from one device.
Ducted systems are a popular choice for people living in Brisbane & the Gold Coast as they provide year-round comfort. They also increase property value & can save you money on electricity bills. However, it’s important to know how a ducted air conditioner works before you make the decision to purchase one.
A ducted air conditioning system consists of an outdoor unit & an indoor unit which are connected through a series of ducts in your roof cavity. The outdoor unit houses the core components of your ducted air conditioner including a compressor, condenser coil & fans. The evaporator coils in the indoor unit then draw the hot air from the air conditioning system, passing it through the refrigerant causing the chemical to change between liquid and gas. As the chemical changes between these states, it causes cold air to be blown into your home, cooling down the atmosphere.
The most common type of ducting used for air conditioning is flexible plastic, with a metal frame. This is a lot easier to work with compared to rigid ducting, as it can easily bend around corners or walls without a problem. Depending on how many rooms you need to cool, the length of your ducting will vary.
During your initial consultation with a ducted air conditioner sales rep they should be able to help you determine what size of ducting you will need for your home. They will be able to take into account the number of bedrooms, lounge room and other areas you want to cool/heat. They will also be able to give you an idea of how much the whole system will cost.
The materials your home is made from will also have a big impact on how effective the ducted air conditioner will be. If it’s built from weatherboard, full brick or a combination of both it will affect how well the system can cool/heat your home and how much noise it will produce. Your installer will be able to give you advice on this and also suggest the best placement of your outdoor unit to minimise noise & ensure it’s not located too close to gas bottles. Finally, the level of insulation in your home will also impact how efficient the system is, as it will affect how much energy it uses to cool/heat your home. This is why it’s a good idea to get a professional energy efficiency test done on your home prior to investing in ducted air conditioning.