The options
| System | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Wall splits | One indoor and one outdoor unit per room | Most homes; lowest upfront cost |
| Ceiling concealed (ducted) | A hidden unit above the ceiling feeds one or more rooms through ducts and grilles | Lounges and floors where you want no visible unit |
| VRV | One outdoor system serves many indoor units, each with its own control | Large houses wanting central control and few outdoor units |
Ducted ceiling concealed units
Only the grilles show, so they suit homes where looks matter. One unit can cool a lounge or a group of rooms used together. They need a false ceiling with enough depth for the unit and ducts, so they are easiest to plan during construction or renovation.
If rooms on one duct are used at different times, the unit cools them all together. Plan zones around how the house is used.
VRV for larger houses
A VRV system connects many indoor units, wall, cassette or concealed, to one outdoor system. Each room is controlled separately and the system only supplies the cooling each room needs. It costs more upfront but saves roof space and runs efficiently when only some rooms are in use.
How to decide
- Existing house, no false ceiling: wall splits.
- New build or renovation with a false ceiling, and looks matter: ducted units for the main areas, splits elsewhere if you like.
- Large house with many rooms and limited roof space: VRV.
- Whatever you choose, size each area for its own load, not just the total floor area.
Frequently asked questions
Is central AC more expensive to run than split ACs?
Not necessarily. A ducted unit cools every room on its ducts together, so it costs more if only one room is used. VRV supplies only what each room needs and runs efficiently at part load.
Can central AC be added to an existing house?
It is possible but harder, because ducted units need false ceiling space. Splits or a VRV with wall units are usually easier in a finished house.
How do I get a price for central AC?
Send us your floor plan and how each area is used. We size the system and quote it.
