When choosing an air conditioning system for your home, you’ll likely come across two main options: ducted and split systems. Both have their advantages, but which one is right for your home? Let’s break down the pros and cons of each system.

1. Split System Air Conditioning

Split systems are designed to cool individual rooms. They consist of an indoor unit and an outdoor compressor.

• Pros:
  • Energy efficiency: Only cools the rooms you need, reducing energy waste.
  • Lower upfront cost: More affordable to install compared to ducted systems.
  • Quick installation: Installation is relatively straightforward.
  • Versatile: Available in different sizes, making them ideal for small to medium-sized rooms.
• Cons:
  • Cools one room at a time: You’ll need multiple units for whole-home cooling.
  • Visible units: The indoor unit is mounted on a wall, which may not suit everyone’s aesthetic preferences.

2. Ducted Air Conditioning

Ducted systems cool the entire home by distributing air through ducts connected to a central unit.

• Pros:
  • Whole-home cooling: Cools the entire home uniformly, with the option to zone different areas.
  • Aesthetics: No visible indoor units; air is delivered through discreet vents.
  • Zoning options: Allows you to control the temperature of different rooms or areas individually.
• Cons:
  • Higher upfront cost: Ducted systems are more expensive to install due to the ductwork and central unit.
  • Higher energy usage: If not zoned properly, ducted systems can consume more energy than split systems, especially if cooling large, unoccupied areas.

3. Which Is Right for You?

• Small to medium homes: A split system may be the best option for homes that only need to cool a few rooms.
• Large homes: If you need consistent cooling throughout the entire home, or want to cool multiple rooms simultaneously, a ducted system is ideal.

Conclusion: Split systems offer flexibility and energy savings for smaller spaces, while ducted systems are a better fit for homeowners looking for whole-home cooling and a cleaner aesthetic.