Ducted vs Split System Air Conditioning: Queensland Comparison

Are you stuck, going back and forth on ducted vs split system air conditioning, and trying to decide which one is better for your home? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. It’s one of the questions we get asked most at TSR, and honestly, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

So, we are going to tell you what we tell all of our clients – both systems do the job, and both have real advantages. The right system for you depends on your home, your budget, and how you actually live in the space. So let’s work through it together.

Head-to-head: which system comes out on top?

Here’s how the two systems stack up across every factor that matters.

Factor	Split system	Ducted system
Best home size	Under 150m²	150m²+ or open-plan
Installation time	3–4 hours, minimal disruption	1–3 days, roof cavity required
Aesthetics	Visible wall units	Hidden, ceiling vents only
Zoning	Each unit is independent	Whole-home zones (+$1,500–$3,000)
Running costs	Lower for spot cooling	Lower for whole-home if well zoned
Lifespan	12–15 years	15–20 years
Queenslanders	Usually the better fit	Needs a roof cavity check first
New builds	Great for smaller builds	Best option, design it in from the start

What you’ll actually pay: TSR pricing

Every split system we supply and install is reverse cycle, which means cooling in summer and heating in winter. One unit, year-round comfort.

System size	Typical space	TSR supply & install (inc. GST)
2.5kW	Small bedroom	$2,200
3.5kW	Bedroom or small living area	$2,300
5kW	Main living area	$2,900
7.1kW	Large open plan living	$3,300
8kW	Very large living area	$3,900
9.5kW	Extra-large or commercial space	$4,700

For ducted, pricing varies depending on your home.

Modern builds typically come in at $6,000–$10,000, simply because the infrastructure’s easier to work with from the start. While retrofitting ducted into an existing home sits at $12,000–$20,000+, depending on the complexity of the job and the extra work involved.

Adding zoning to a ducted system costs an extra $1,500–$3,000.

It may sound like a lot, but most families recoup that through energy savings within 3–5 years. More on that in a moment.

The crossover point is usually around 3–4 rooms. If you’re cooling that many spaces regularly, ducted starts to stack up, especially in a newer build.

Want to see exactly what’s included in a TSR ducted installation? Head to our ducted air conditioning page.

Disclaimer: The above prices are estimated based on previous installs and market average pricing at time of writing. Actual costs may vary. To obtain an accurate quote for your home and situation, please call TSR directly for a free assessment.

Which one is cheaper to run in Queensland?

Here’s the honest answer: it depends on how you use it.

Split systems win for spot cooling. If you’re only running the bedroom at night or the living area during the day, you’re only paying for what you use. Simple.

Ducted wins for whole-home cooling, but only when it’s properly zoned. An unzoned ducted system pumping cold air into rooms nobody’s sitting in is the most expensive option of all. So don’t do that.

We are locals, so we understand that Queensland’s climate makes getting your cooling right more important than most places. Gympie summers are long, hot, and humid. From November through to March, your system isn’t just switching on occasionally, it’s working hard, day and night, so a poorly matched or improperly sized system adds up fast.

The bottom line though? If you’re regularly cooling four or more rooms at once, a well-zoned ducted system will beat running four split systems simultaneously, both on comfort and on your power bill.

Which system suits your Gympie home?

Queenslanders and older homes

Split systems are usually the right call here. Older roof cavities are often too shallow, too cluttered, or just plain awkward for ducted. If you’ve got your heart set on ducted in a pre-1980 home, we’ll need to do a roof cavity assessment first, no exceptions.

You can explore all your options on our domestic air conditioning page.

Modern builds (post-2000)

You’ve got more flexibility with a modern build. If your home is larger or open-plan, ducted is genuinely worth the investment, particularly at the $6,000–$10,000 new build price point. However, for smaller builds or tighter budgets, a couple of well-placed split systems will do the job beautifully.

The 3–4 bedroom family home

This is the sweet spot where we see the most back-and-forth, and understandably so. Here are a few questions worth asking yourself:

• Do you use all rooms at the same time, or is it more one zone at a time?
• Is your living area open plan?
• Are you planning to sell in the next few years?
• What’s the realistic budget?

If you’re answering yes to most of those, ducted is worth getting a quote on. If flexibility and lower upfront cost matter more, quality split systems will serve you well for years to come.

Not sure where your home fits? We provide no-obligation site assessments across Gympie and the surrounding region. Get in touch with our team here.

Not sure which way to go?

No problem, our flowchart can help!

So, which system should you choose?

Again, it depends what you’re looking for.

• Smaller home or just a few rooms? Split system. It’s better value, faster to install, and easy to add to later
• Large or open-plan home? Ducted. It will give you whole-home comfort, a cleaner look, and stronger resale value
• Older Queenslander? Get a roof cavity check before you commit to ducted
• Building new? Design ducted in from the start. The pricing at new build stage makes it a much easier decision

Ready to install the perfect system and keep cool this summer?

We’ve been helping Queensland homeowners with this exact decision for over 35 years. We’ll give you a straight answer based on your home, not on what’s most expensive to sell you. Take a look at our full guide to different types of air conditioning or contact our team for a free quote, and feel comfortable all year round.