Install Ducted Aircon

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Licensed ducted air conditioning installers across Adelaide, Perth & Brisbane

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4.6 · 2,000+ Google reviews

Ducted air conditioning keeps your whole home comfortable through discreet ceiling vents, with zoning so you only cool the rooms you use. Our ARC-licensed technicians design and install ducted systems to suit your home and budget.

From a single-zone system to a fully zoned whole-home install, we handle the design, ductwork, electrical and commissioning, and give you an upfront fixed price.

Why choose Same Day Trades for ducted installation?

We are licensed, ARC-certified technicians who install, service and repair air conditioning every day, with tidy workmanship and no surprises.

ARC-licensed technicians
Upfront fixed pricing before we start
All brands installed, serviced and repaired
Same-day service where we can
Servicing Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide

Your system is left tested and running properly, every time.

What is ducted air conditioning?

Ducted air conditioning conditions your whole home from a single system, distributing cooled or heated air through a network of insulated ducts in the roof space to discreet vents in each room. A central indoor fan coil unit, usually in the roof, connects to an outdoor unit, and the air is delivered evenly and quietly throughout the home. Unlike wall-mounted splits, ducted is almost invisible, just slim vents in the ceiling, giving a clean, seamless look. With zoning, you control which areas are conditioned. For whole-home comfort with minimal visual impact, ducted air conditioning is the premium choice, and we design and install it across Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

Benefits of ducted air conditioning

Ducted systems offer advantages that individual splits cannot match:

Whole-home comfort from one integrated system
Discreet and seamless, with only slim ceiling vents visible
Zoning, so you condition only the rooms you are using
Even, quiet air distribution with no single noisy wall unit
One outdoor unit rather than several
Adds value and appeal to your home

While ducted costs more up front than a split, its whole-home comfort, clean look and zoning make it the preferred choice for new homes, renovations and those wanting to condition the entire house.

How zoning works

Zoning is what makes ducted air conditioning both comfortable and economical. Instead of conditioning the whole house at once, zoning divides your home into areas, for example living, bedrooms and study, each controlled independently. You turn on only the zones you are using, so you are not paying to cool or heat empty rooms, which significantly reduces running costs compared with conditioning the whole home at once. Zones are managed from a wall touchpad or an app, and can be scheduled, for example bedrooms overnight and living areas during the day. We design the zoning around how your household actually lives, so you get whole-home comfort with efficient, flexible control.

Ducted vs split system

Both have their place, and the right choice depends on your needs. A split system is the most cost-effective way to cool and heat one room or open-plan area, with lower upfront cost per room and a simpler install. Ducted conditions the whole home seamlessly through ceiling vents, with zoning and a clean look, but costs more up front and needs adequate roof space. If you want to condition one or two areas, splits are usually the economical choice; if you want whole-home comfort with minimal visual impact, ducted is the premium option. We will assess your home and needs and recommend honestly which suits you best.

Planning your ducted system

A ducted installation starts with careful planning, because the system must be designed for your specific home. We assess the size and layout of your home, ceiling and roof space, insulation, the number and position of rooms, and how you use them, then design the duct layout, vent positions, zones and the capacity of the indoor and outdoor units. Getting this design right is what makes the difference between a ducted system that is comfortable, quiet and efficient, and one that struggles or costs too much to run. We take the time to design the system properly before installation, so the finished result performs as it should for years.

Sizing a ducted system

Correctly sizing a ducted system is critical, because it has to condition the whole home or the active zones. An undersized system will struggle to reach temperature on hot or cold days and run constantly, while an oversized one wastes energy and money. Sizing depends on the total floor area, ceiling height, insulation, window area and orientation, climate, and how the zones are used, since zoning means the system does not always run every room at once. This is a calculation best done by professionals, which is exactly what we do. We size the indoor and outdoor units and the ductwork to match your home and zoning, so the system performs efficiently.

Choosing the right system and brand

We install ducted systems from all the major brands, including Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Fujitsu, Panasonic and ActronAir, so you can choose the system that suits your home and budget. Beyond the brand, the key choices are the capacity, the efficiency rating and inverter technology, and the zoning and control options. Most ducted systems we install are reverse cycle, cooling in summer and heating in winter from the one system. We will recommend a reliable system in the right capacity with the features you want, and quote supply and installation together, so you get the whole project handled as one job with an upfront fixed price.

Reverse cycle ducted: cooling and heating

Most ducted systems we install are reverse cycle, meaning the same system both cools your whole home in summer and heats it in winter, replacing the need for separate heating. Reverse cycle is one of the cheapest and most energy-efficient ways to heat an Australian home, so a ducted reverse cycle system gives you year-round whole-home comfort from a single installation. Combined with zoning, you can heat the bedrooms overnight and the living areas by day, efficiently. For most homes, reverse cycle ducted is the ideal choice, delivering both cooling and heating throughout the house, and it is what we recommend for whole-home comfort.

Energy efficiency and running costs

A well-designed, correctly sized ducted system with zoning can be surprisingly economical to run, because you condition only the areas you are using rather than the whole house. Inverter technology, which ramps the system smoothly up and down, and a high energy star rating further cut running costs. The biggest factors in efficiency are correct sizing, good duct design and insulation, and sensible use of zoning, which is why professional design matters so much. A poorly designed or oversized ducted system can be expensive to run, while a properly engineered one delivers whole-home comfort efficiently. We design and size your system for the lowest practical running cost.

Our ducted installation process

A ducted installation is a bigger project than a split, and we manage it end to end:

Design and quote, we assess your home, design the system and zones, and give you an upfront fixed price
Indoor unit, we install the fan coil unit in the roof space
Ductwork and vents, we run the insulated ducts and fit the ceiling vents and zones
Outdoor unit and connections, we install the outdoor unit, refrigerant lines and electrical
Commission and handover, we test, balance the airflow, and show you the controls

How long does installation take?

A ducted air conditioning installation typically takes one to three days, depending on the size of the home, the complexity of the duct layout and zoning, and the access to the roof space. A standard single-storey home is usually quicker, while larger or double-storey homes, or those with difficult roof access, take longer. New builds and renovations where the ceiling is open are more straightforward. We give you a clear timeframe when we quote, and plan the work to minimise disruption to your home. Because the bulk of the work is in the roof space, much of it happens out of your living areas.

How much does ducted air conditioning cost?

Ducted air conditioning is a bigger investment than split systems, with the cost depending on the size of your home, the capacity of the system, the number of zones, the complexity of the ductwork, and roof access. As a general guide, a ducted system for an average home typically ranges from around $9,000 to $20,000 or more installed, with larger homes and more zones at the upper end. While that is more than a split, ducted conditions the whole home seamlessly with zoning. We assess your home, design the right system, and give you an upfront fixed quote, so you know the full cost before we start.

Maintaining your ducted system

To keep a ducted system running efficiently and reliably, it needs periodic servicing, which also keeps the air clean across the whole home and maintains the manufacturer warranty. Servicing covers the return air filter, the indoor fan coil unit, the coils, the ducting and the outdoor unit. A neglected ducted system can circulate dust through every room and lose efficiency, pushing up running costs. We recommend a yearly service to keep your ducted system in top condition. Looking after a ducted system protects a significant investment and ensures it keeps delivering comfortable, efficient whole-home conditioning for many years.

Licensed, ARC-certified installers

Ducted air conditioning installation involves refrigerant, electrical work and significant design and ductwork, so it must be done by qualified professionals. Our technicians hold the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) licence and the electrical qualifications required, so your system is designed, installed and commissioned correctly, your warranty stays valid, and the job meets Australian Standards. You get a properly engineered system, honest advice on capacity and zoning, upfront fixed pricing, and workmanship we stand behind. For whole-home comfort done right, we design and install ducted air conditioning across Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

Ducted installation FAQs

How much does ducted air conditioning cost?

As a guide, around $7,500 for a basic single-zone system up to $20,000 or more for a premium zoned system in a larger home. We design it and quote upfront.

What is zoning and do I need it?

Zoning lets you cool or heat only the rooms in use, which saves energy. Most homes choose a multi-zone system for comfort and lower running costs.

Is ducted better than split system?

Ducted suits whole-home comfort with a discreet look; split is cheaper and suits one room or area. We will recommend the best fit for your home.

How long does a ducted install take?

Typically one to a few days depending on the home size, number of zones and roof access. We confirm the timeframe when we design the system.

How much does ducted cost to run?

Running costs depend on climate, zones and usage. Zoning keeps costs down by conditioning only the rooms you use.

Can you install ducted in an existing home?

Yes, provided there is adequate roof space for the unit and ductwork. We assess your home as part of the design.

Are your installers licensed?

Yes. Ducted installation must be done by ARC-licensed technicians, and ours handle the design, install and compliance.

Do you service ducted systems after install?

Yes. We recommend a yearly service to keep it efficient, and we can clean the ducts when needed.

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Brad arrived on time, very helpful great job, will use next time, thanks again.

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Very happy with Michael’s professionalism and prompt arrival.

Kelly lugg

Nice and friendly, very happy with Jack's explaining of all the details involved in the repair costs. Highly recommend.

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Extremely efficient friendly, helpful tradesmen

Sally Rothon

We phoned Same Day Trades and, less than two hours later, Jesse arrived, with a smile. He checked our electrical points and got power working again. He returned the following day and got into the roof, identifying potential major problems. He was a clean and methodical worker and we were very impressed with his work ethic. Many thanks.

Janis Cumming

Thanks so much Bradley, I really appreciate the time you spent explaining so much to me that I had never known before. I am so pleased to have someone go through my meter box & help me understand it all incase I ever have the same issue! I won’t hesitate to call you at “Same Day Service” again next time! Jan. C.

Jayne Varnish

The guys were friendly efficient & cleaned up after completion perfectly. The qualified plumber Lachlan, spoke encouragingly explaining each procedure clearly to the apprentice. Both men were fun to have working at our house!