How much is a centralised air conditioning? Centralised AC for homes can cost $4,500 to $6,000 including ductwork and installation. This is ideal for homes specifically designed for central air conditioning (no retrofitting needed). Good thing is it’s still possible to install the system in an old home or commercial facility.

Does centralised AC add value to a home?

It’s a matter of convenience and cost savings. Potential home buyers might perceive a property with central AC as of higher value because there’s no need for them to spend more to cool the rooms and whole house. In other words, the home is ready to be occupied even during hot summer months.

However, the property seller or owner might need to spend thousands of dollars upfront and yet the return on investment (ROI) won’t be worth it. The central AC might not still add significant value to the property. It’s still about the cost and the possible ROI.

Advantages of central AC

Whether it will add value to a home or not, a central or ducted AC system can still result to significant energy savings in the long run. It’s especially the case with the replacement of old AC systems.

For example, many modern units use 50% less energy compared to ACs manufactured during the 1970s. The savings can be greater during hot summer months and peak use. You get more cooling for less money as a result.

If your AC system was purchased or installed 10 or 20 years ago, there’s a chance it’s less efficient. It’s recommended to purchase a new system so you can enjoy the savings month after month and for years to come.

Aside from replacing old units, new homes with new central AC systems can also have significant energy savings. Main advantage of ducted systems is that these allow uniform temperature control in all rooms and areas of the home or commercial facility (e.g. large retail stores). In addition, ducted systems are also ideal for areas with large open spaces. This feature is important if you want to maintain a stable comfort level throughout the area.

Aside from energy savings, quality centralised units last for 15 to 20 years. This means you can get high cost savings and ROI for two decades. This could be a possible great value in exchange for $4,500 or $6,000.

Other important features of centralised AC

Basically, centralised AC works by having a “central unit” where cooling comes from. The ducts then distribute the cooling to different areas of the home or commercial property. This allows for uniform temperature control to all the rooms.

Aside from uniform temperature settings, other important features of modern central AC include:

Quiet unit operation
Child lock features (kids can’t mess up the settings)
Air filtering (remove dust and allergens)
Can be programmed for an entire week

For example, many LG ducted systems can be programmed for an entire week. There’s uniform temperature no matter the time of day or night. You don’t have to adjust the settings at different times of the day.

Aside from convenience and efficient air conditioning, quiet operation is also important. Ideally, the noise of the AC should be 70 decibels or lower. This becomes background noise which is sufficient for quiet sleep every night.

Another feature is air filtering wherein dust and allergens are removed. You and your family will be able to experience a truly comfortable life each day. Add to that the cool temperature and you’ll be spending more time indoors.

Removal of dust and allergens minimise the occurrences of sneezing, teary eyes and itching. As a result, it becomes easier to fall asleep and stay at home when conditions outside are far from ideal. You and your family will feel a sanitary environment as you enjoy the benefits of having a centralised AC.

Disadvantages of central air conditioning system

First, centralised AC is more expensive upfront compared to split type air conditioners. That’s because the former requires ductwork and other installations. It’s especially the case when the home needs extensive retrofitting.

In addition, installation of central AC often requires switchboard upgrade and electrical rewiring. The whole installation can last up to 3 days compared to half-day installation required for split systems.

Aside from additional expense, central ACs don’t offer much flexibility. They don’t allow temperature adjustment by room. For instance, the baby room might be needed to set at 20 to 20.22 degrees Celsius while the rest of the room requires 25 degrees Celsius.

In contrast, split type ACs allow independent temperature control among the different rooms. This offers more flexibility than ducted systems. As a result, many homeowners prefer split systems.

Some homeowners still choose ducted or central AC systems for the following reasons:

Uniform temperature control whether it’s cold winters or unusually hot summers
The even air distribution makes it impossible for cold or hot spots to exist
Minimalist and adds aesthetic value because there will be no wall hung units

There will only be grills on the ceiling or floor where cold or hot air is distributed. It will be a minimalist style wherein an AC unit doesn’t interfere with the home interior design. Moreover, the rooms still get cooled even without visible units.

When to buy central AC?

Some say it’s best to buy an AC (whether ducted or split type) during the winter. After all, there’s much less demand for ACs and companies are willing to lower the prices to up the sales.

Thankfully, special deals happen all the time. Perhaps it’s the company’s anniversary or they just want to clear the old stock to make room for the new units. It’s also possible that the manufacturer or distributor lower the prices for customer acquisition or market leadership.

Whichever is the reason, the right time to buy an AC is today. Special offers always exist. You just have to know where to find them (for example, you can contact us here at Conduct Air Conditioning for our Specials).

How to choose a ducted system unit?

First, stick to known brands such as:

Samsung
LG
Daikin
Fujitsu
Panasonic
ActronAir
Mitsubishi Electric

Aside from guaranteed durability and quality, replacement parts will be easy to find when it’s time for repair or servicing. In addition, most expert technicians can readily service ducted systems with those brands.

Second, choose a reputable distributor and installer. This is actually as important as choosing the right type of unit. That’s because the staff can properly assist you which type or capacity of AC is right for your home. Different room sizes (how many square metres?) often require different capacity for maximum efficiency.

In addition, proper installation has a huge impact on the optimum function of a central AC. The placement should be strategic including the wires and ducts in all 6 rooms (e.g. thermostats should be placed away from heat sources). There should also be minimal retrofitting to minimise demolitions to your walls, floors and ceilings.

Expert technicians and staff can provide you valuable advice which can save you thousands of dollars upfront and in the long run. They can tell you which unit is appropriate for your home. They can also tell you how much you can save if you consider every option.

Aside from the unit installation, technicians might also need to set up additional insulation to improve energy efficiency and increase long-term cost savings. They could also perform rigorous testing to ensure that the unit will deliver results as promised.

How to save even more money and get more value

The air conditioner distributor should be getting their units directly from the manufacturer. In other words, there’s “no middle man” that add up to the cost. For example, here at Conduct Air Conditioning we get the AC units directly from the manufacturer. We then pass the savings to you as our customer.

Another way to save more money and get more value is to ensure it’s a complete package (upfront fees). There should be no surprises once the installation is done. The fee for that (including labour and ductwork) should already be included in the total price you see.

Where to find centralised AC for homes

Here at Conduct Air Conditioning we sell and install major brands of ducted AC systems to Sydney residents and commercial customers. We provide complete package deals from $4,500 to $6,000. We also provide you with expert advice on which type of central AC is appropriate for your home.

Contact us today and enquire us about our pricing, warranty, packages and special offers. Our friendly staff responds within 1 business hour.