Ducted air conditioning is the premium way to cool and heat a Brisbane home. One concealed indoor fan coil in the roof space feeds insulated ductwork to discreet ceiling outlets in every room, giving you whole-home comfort with nothing on the walls except a slim controller. No indoor heads, no visible pipework, no clutter — just even temperature throughout the house.
For larger homes, new builds and major renovations across Brisbane, ducted is usually the right answer. It handles multi-level Queenslanders, open-plan living, and homes where five or six split systems would be both ugly and expensive. With proper zoning you also get the control that makes ducted economical: cool the living areas by day, the bedrooms by night, and never pay to condition rooms nobody is in.
We design, supply and install ducted reverse cycle systems throughout Brisbane and South East Queensland. Every installation is carried out by ARCtick-licensed refrigeration technicians with QBCC-licensed electrical support, and every system is properly load-calculated rather than sized from a rule of thumb.
What a ducted system includes
- Indoor fan coil unit — concealed in the roof space or under the floor.
- Outdoor condensing unit — sited at ground level or on a roof platform.
- Insulated flexible ductwork — distributing conditioned air from the plenum to each outlet.
- Supply air outlets — ceiling diffusers or linear bar grilles in each room.
- Return air grille — typically a single large ceiling grille with a washable filter.
- Zone motors and dampers — allowing individual areas to be turned on and off.
- Wall controller — touchscreen or app-based, with scheduling and zone control.
Benefits of Ducted Air Conditioning
- Whole-home comfort with even temperature across every room, including areas a split can’t reach.
- Virtually invisible. Only slim ceiling diffusers and one wall controller are visible — no bulky indoor heads.
- Very quiet indoors, because the noisy fan coil sits in the roof space rather than on the bedroom wall.
- Zoning saves real money. Running two zones instead of six can cut consumption dramatically, and modern inverter systems ramp down to match reduced load.
- Adds property value. In the Brisbane market, ducted reverse cycle is a genuine selling feature and often appears in listings.
- One system, one service visit rather than maintaining five separate splits.
- Reverse cycle heating included, covering Brisbane’s cool season efficiently.
- Superior air filtration through a large central return air filter, which is easier to maintain and more effective than small split filters.
- Excellent dehumidification across the whole house, which is what actually makes Brisbane summers comfortable.
Our Ducted Installation Process
Site assessment and heat load calculation
We inspect the roof space for height, access and structural clearance, measure every room, and record ceiling heights, glazing, orientation and insulation. We then calculate the heat load room by room — this determines both total system capacity and the airflow each outlet needs. Brisbane’s western sun and humidity both raise the numbers significantly.
System design and zoning plan
You receive a proposed layout showing fan coil location, outdoor unit position, duct routes, outlet positions in each room, return air location and the zone configuration. Zoning is where the design earns its keep, so we discuss how you actually live in the house — which areas are used together, and when.
Detailed written quote
Fixed price covering equipment, ductwork, outlets, zoning, electrical work, commissioning and cleanup, with any conditional items identified up front.
Preparation and protection
Drop sheets through work areas, furniture protected, roof access established safely.
Fan coil and outdoor unit installation
The indoor fan coil is positioned and secured in the roof space on anti-vibration mounts with clearance for future servicing, and a safety tray and drain fitted. The outdoor condenser is placed on a level slab, brackets or roof platform with proper airflow clearance.
Ductwork and outlets
Insulated flexible duct run from the plenum to each outlet, sized correctly for the required airflow, supported at proper intervals to avoid sagging and kinks, and kept as short and straight as practical. Ceiling outlets are cut neatly and sealed. The return air grille is installed centrally.
Refrigeration pipework and drainage
Copper lines run between the fan coil and condenser, fully insulated, with condensate drainage plumbed to a suitable discharge point with correct fall.
Electrical and zone wiring
Dedicated circuit installed, isolator fitted, zone motors and controller wired, and an electrical compliance certificate issued.
Pressure test, evacuation and charge
Nitrogen pressure test, deep vacuum, then refrigerant charge weighed in to manufacturer specification for the actual pipe run.
Airflow balancing and commissioning
This is the step that separates a good ducted installation from a mediocre one. We measure airflow at every outlet and balance the system so each room gets its calculated share — otherwise the rooms nearest the plenum get most of the air and the far bedrooms never cool properly.
Handover
Full test in cooling and heating, zone operation verified, controller and app set up and explained, filter cleaning demonstrated, warranty registered, roof space and home left clean.
Indicative Ducted Installation Costs
Supply and install, AUD including GST. Ducted pricing varies more than any other system because roof access, duct runs, zoning complexity and outlet count differ so much between homes.
System | Typical home | Indicative installed price |
10 kW, 3–4 outlets, 2 zones | Small home or apartment | $9,000 – $13,500 |
12.5 kW, 5 outlets, 3 zones | 3-bedroom home | $11,000 – $16,000 |
14 kW, 6 outlets, 3–4 zones | Standard 4-bedroom home | $12,500 – $18,000 |
16–18 kW, 7–8 outlets, 4 zones | Large 4–5 bedroom home | $15,000 – $22,000 |
20–24 kW, 9–12 outlets, 5+ zones | Large or two-storey home | $19,000 – $30,000 |
Two-system solution (upstairs/downstairs) | Large two-storey | $25,000 – $40,000 |
Ducted replacement, reusing existing ductwork | Any | $7,500 – $15,000 |
Additional costs that commonly apply: individual room temperature sensors and smart zoning ($150–$400 per zone), bulkhead construction where ceiling space is tight ($800–$3,000), roof platform or crane for the outdoor unit ($600–$2,500), switchboard upgrade ($800–$2,500), duct replacement on a retrofit ($1,500–$5,000), linear bar grilles instead of standard diffusers ($120–$350 each), and Wi-Fi or smart home integration ($300–$900).
Brands We Install
- ActronAir — Australian designed and built for Queensland conditions, with excellent zoning and variable-capacity control. A very strong ducted choice locally.
- Daikin — the reliability benchmark; broad ducted range and outstanding inverter performance.
- Mitsubishi Electric — highly efficient with very quiet fan coils.
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries — robust ducted units that handle humidity well.
- Fujitsu — dependable and well-priced across the ducted range.
- Panasonic — good efficiency and filtration options.
- Carrier — long-established ducted and light commercial range.
- LG and Samsung — competitive ducted options with strong smart control features.
Service Areas
Ducted installation across North Brisbane, South Brisbane, East Brisbane, West Brisbane, Brisbane CBD, Indooroopilly, Toowong, Chermside, Carindale, Sunnybank, Logan, Ipswich, Redlands and Moreton Bay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a ducted installation take?
Typically two to three days for a standard home. Larger systems, two-storey homes, difficult roof access or bulkhead work can extend this to four or five days. We work to keep at least part of the house liveable throughout.
Can ducted air conditioning be retrofitted into an existing Brisbane home?
Usually yes, provided there is adequate roof space. The main constraint is ceiling cavity height — we generally need around 500–600 mm of clearance for the fan coil and duct runs. Homes with low-pitch roofs, flat roofs or Queenslanders with limited roof space may need bulkheads, an under-floor installation, or a multi-head split alternative. We assess this before quoting.
What is zoning and do I need it?
Zoning divides your home into independently controlled areas using motorised dampers. It is essential for both comfort and running costs — without it you pay to condition every room whenever the system runs. Most Brisbane homes use three to five zones, typically living, bedrooms, master suite and sometimes a separate zone for a home office or media room.
Is ducted more expensive to run than split systems?
Only if it’s poorly zoned or badly sized. A well-zoned modern inverter ducted system running two zones is comparable to running two splits. Running the entire house on a hot afternoon obviously costs more — but you’re also cooling the entire house.
How much roof space do I need?
Roughly 500–600 mm of clear ceiling cavity height at the fan coil location, plus routes for duct runs. We check this during the site assessment and will tell you honestly if your roof space isn’t suitable rather than forcing a compromised installation.
Can I add ducted air conditioning during a renovation or new build?
That’s the ideal time. Installing at frame stage is cheaper, allows optimal duct routing, permits neater outlet positioning and lets us plan bulkheads and the outdoor unit location into the design. Talk to us early — before ceilings are closed up.
How many outlets do I need?
Generally one outlet per bedroom and bathroom-adjacent hallway, and two or more for large open-plan living areas. A standard four-bedroom Brisbane home usually needs six to eight outlets. The heat load calculation determines the airflow each one needs.
How noisy is a ducted system?
Indoors it is very quiet — the fan coil is in the roof, so you mostly hear only soft airflow at the diffusers. Correct duct sizing matters here; undersized ducts cause air noise at the outlets. Outdoors the condenser is comparable to a large split.
What maintenance does ducted need?
Clean the return air filter every one to two months during heavy use, keep the outdoor unit clear, and book an annual professional service covering the fan coil, coil cleaning, drain, zone motors and airflow. Ductwork itself typically needs cleaning every five to ten years.
How long does a ducted system last?
With annual servicing, the equipment typically lasts 15 to 20 years in Brisbane. Ductwork generally lasts longer and can often be reused when the equipment is eventually replaced, which significantly reduces the cost of the next system.
