Air conditioning is a must in most places in Australia these days. The weather is warmer than it used to be and air con is becoming the only way to stay comfortable when you are trying to relax at home.

As soon as you start to source the best unit for your home or office space it becomes clear that there are two main types that you can buy, ducted reverse cycle and split system air conditioning units.  If you are not an expert, and most of us aren’t, the difficulty is understanding the difference between the two and then which one will fit your needs.

Understanding the elements of each system

Let’s have a look at the main features of each type of system to help you decide which is best for your residential or commercial building.

The main elements of a ducted reverse cycle system include:

• Heats as well as cools;
• Distributes air via ducts installed in ceiling or walls;
• The compressor is usually installed within the roof out of sight;

The main elements of a split system include:

• Can heat as well as cool;
• Distributes air via individual wall units installed in each area to be cooled or heated;
• Easy and cheaper to install.

Ducted reverse cycle vs split system air conditioning

So how do they stack up against each other? Is it just a matter of preference due to your requirements or is one type of system better overall than the other?

Split system

• Energy efficient because they can target specific rooms to heat or cool;
• Obvious when installed – this can now be a plus because many units feature stylish designs;
• Better in small or mid-sized areas;
• Individual units are connected to a central compressor and operated independently;

Ducted reverse cycle

• More efficient when utilised in larger areas;
• Able to control overall temperature throughout your home;
• Discreet installation;

Choosing the right system for you

Both ducted reverse cycle and split system air conditioning systems work well in their optimal conditions. The system you choose will depend on your needs and possibly your budget. Before you purchase look at:

• Initial budget for setup – split system are cheaper for the initial installation;
• The size of the area to be cooled/heated – ducted air con works better in larger areas;
• Whether you care if your system can be seen;
• How high is your ceiling;
• What materials is your building constructed from;
• How many windows are in the rooms that you want to cool/heat;
• Is the house facing the sun or shaded by trees or other structures.

Air conditioning helps keep you comfortable all year round. It can be expensive and uncomfortable getting it wrong. Do your homework before you buy and consult with experts that can give you the right advice to ensure you will have the ideal climate control for your home.