Ducted air conditioning is one of the most popular air conditioning systems on the market, providing versatility and comfort to those who install it. Most suitable for large homes, offices, shopping centres, restaurants and other open spaces, ducted air conditioning is known for its quiet, efficient power. While wall-mounted units can often struggle to provide balanced air distribution throughout a large space, ducted units can be thoughtfully placed to allow for even heating or cooling.
How does it work?
Using a series of ducts, the system keeps you cool no matter where you are in the space. A central control panel allows you to adjust the temperature accordingly, with the various ducts allowing you to heat or cool each room individually (this is known as zoning).
Who’s it for?
Because of how ducted air conditioning units are installed, they are most easily installed when building a new property or during a major renovation. If you are building a new property, ducted air conditioning systems can easily be worked into the construction. However, the unit can also be retro-fitted if you are conducting a renovation on your current property. Ducted air conditioning is generally not suitable for apartments or established homes because the unit can’t simply be mounted on the wall and instead needs to be installed within the cavities.
What’s the deal with the grilles?
Various grilles are available depending on the aesthetic and performance you require. A ducted air conditioning professional will assist you with choosing the most suitable grille for your needs, preventing missed “hot spots” or cold draughts. Return air grilles also need to be installed for the ducted system to be able to circulate air within the room – this step is sometimes skipped by less qualified installers, which is why you can only trust an established and reputable team for your ducted air conditioning installation. Incorrectly installed ducts or grilles will cause insufficient circulation or disruptive noise, as well as put pressure on the system, which results in a shorter lifespan.
Large rooms are best off with a four-way grille that provides balanced airflow, while smaller rooms can use invisible grilles that are long and thin, blending into the room and allowing for a discreet look.
The appropriate ducted air conditioning unit for you will depend on your needs. For homes and offices, it is not recommended to install anything above a capacity of 6kW, as these will be too loud and therefore disruptive to your peace and quiet. However, a system with a capacity above 6kW will be suitable for shops or restaurants as it will blend into the ambient noise.
What are some other perks of ducted air conditioning?
The main benefit of ducted air conditioning is the high level of control it provides, allowing you to ensure different areas of your property are kept at a consistently comfortable level. This is ideal for large offices where there always seems to be a dispute about what temperature to keep the thermostat at or homes where each family member wants a different temperature in their bedroom. The flexibility of ducted air conditioning allows you to keep the whole building feeling comfortable.
Ducted air conditioning is also better at controlling humidity than ductless systems, meaning a ducted unit may be more appropriate for you depending on your climate. Restaurants or commercial kitchens could also do with choosing a ducted air conditioning system instead of other alternatives.
The freshly circulated air also makes ducted air conditioning suitable for those with asthma or allergies, as it ensures irritating particles are not spread into the building.
A unit’s aesthetic appeal is also critical when choosing which air conditioning system is best for you. Ducted units are known for their streamlined, discreet look, making them ideal for your home, office or upmarket restaurant. Unlike bulky wall-mounted units, a ducted system’s components are hidden in crawl spaces or behind walls.
Finally, ducted air conditioning systems are also known to be easier to service, since there are fewer components to clean and maintain. Although there is often a higher start-up cost, the reduced maintenance costs will make it a worthy investment in the long run.
If you have decided to install ducted air conditioning at your home, business or any other location, reach out to reputable installers in your area to ensure the job is done right.
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