Thinking about ducted heating and cooling

A ducted heat pump can make the house more comfortable without indoor units on the walls. But two ducted quotes can look similar and deliver quite different results.

Before picking a brand, start with the rooms you want comfortable and how you use them.

Does it cover the whole house at once

Tell us which rooms are used together, whether bedroom doors stay closed and where the summer sun hits hardest.

Sizing needs to account for the building and individual rooms. Floor area alone does not tell the full story. Ask whether the quote covers every room at once or relies on running selected areas.

What is happening above the ceiling

The ducts need to carry the right amount of air to each room. Their size, insulation, length and bends all affect the result. The indoor unit also needs space for access and servicing.

At Swiss AC, our standard duct insulation is R1. Ask what insulation is included in any quote you compare. It is one part of the design, alongside good routing, sealing and airflow.

Air needs a way back too. If a bedroom gets supply air with its door shut, the design needs a return path. Just putting an outlet in every room does not settle that question.

Gree, Mitsubishi Electric or Daikin

All three have ducted options worth considering. The useful comparison is between the exact models and the complete systems being quoted.

For Gree, check the capacity and included controller, plus how zoning would work if you want it. Include it in the price comparison without assuming every Gree installation is the lowest cost.

For Mitsubishi Electric, check which ducted model and controls are included. If Lossnay ventilation is part of the proposal, it should be clearly listed as additional equipment with its own control arrangement explained.

For Daikin, check the model, available airflow, controller and any zoning accessories. The brand name does not tell you which features are included.

Across all three, compare winter heating performance, noise information, service support and warranty conditions. Paying more should come with a clear explanation of what you gain.

Do you need zoning

Zoning can let you serve selected parts of the house. Some systems simply switch zones on and off; others use room sensors for more detailed control.

Ask what happens when only one small bedroom needs heating. The system still needs adequate airflow and a suitable minimum operating load. Also, a standard single ducted system normally heats or cools in one mode at a time.

What changes the price

The equipment is only part of it. Ducts, outlets, return air, electrical work, drains, access, controls and commissioning all contribute. Zoning, ventilation and building repairs can add to the total.

A clear roof space is a different job from a difficult two storey retrofit. Compare the same rooms, inclusions and GST inclusive total. Ask what is excluded and whether old equipment removal is included.

We can discuss an initial allowance from a floor plan, then check access and the design before confirming the work. An equipment price online is not an installed price for your house.

What about running costs and ventilation

Heating more rooms can increase the total power used, even with efficient equipment. The heating capacity on the brochure is not the electricity consumption. Usage, weather and the building all matter.

A standard ducted heat pump recirculates indoor air. Fresh air and moisture control need separate consideration, so tell us if condensation is part of the problem.

Send us your floor plan and mark the rooms you want comfortable together. We can explain the options and what each price actually covers.