Choosing between ducted and split system air conditioning comes down to how much of your Perth home you want to cool, your layout and what you care about most.
Both systems do the job. The difference is in how they do it, and which one suits your home depends on a few things worth thinking through before you commit.
How each system works
A wall mounted split system has two units: one on the wall inside, one outside. It conditions one room or open-plan area at a time. Most Perth homes have at least one, and plenty of people run several across different rooms.
A ducted system is still actually a split system but is a ducted version with one unit in the ceiling or underfloor space, pushing conditioned air through ducts into every room via ceiling vents and the other system “the condenser” located outside.
When a split system makes sense
Split systems suit homes where you spend most of your time in one or two areas. If you’re mainly in the living room during the day and the bedroom at night, cooling just those spaces is efficient and costs less upfront to install.
They’re also a good fit for apartments, smaller homes or anyone adding aircon to an existing build where running ductwork isn’t practical. Installation is straightforward, and because each unit works independently, you only cool what you’re using.
The trade-off is visibility. Wall-mounted units are noticeable, and if you want multiple rooms covered, you’re looking at multiple units on multiple walls.
When a ducted system makes sense
Ducted suits larger homes, open-plan layouts and anyone who wants whole-house cooling without a unit on every wall. One system handles everything, controlled from a single panel or app.
Aesthetically, ducted is much cleaner. Vents sit flush in the ceiling and the main unit is out of sight. For people building new or renovating, it’s the easier option to integrate into the design from the start. If you’re building, it’s worth reading about air conditioning for new homes before the slab goes down.
Zoning is worth mentioning here. Most modern ducted systems let you divide the house into zones, so you can cool the living areas during the day and switch to the bedrooms at night or a mix of both without running the whole system. That closes a lot of the efficiency gap people assume ducted systems have.
The upfront cost is higher than a single split system, but if you’re comparing ducted against four or five split units covering a whole house, the ducted option will win.
Reverse cycle and Perth winters
Most split and ducted systems sold in Perth are reverse cycle, meaning they heat as well as cool. That matters more than people expect. Perth winters are mild compared to the east coast, but overnight temperatures in June and July regularly drop to single digits, and a reverse cycle system is a far more efficient way to heat a home than a gas heater or radiant panels.
If you’re choosing a system now, reverse cycle covers both seasons and removes the need for separate heating.
Why the install matters as much as the system
A well-specced system installed poorly will underperform. Duct sizing, insulation, unit placement and commissioning all affect how well the system runs long-term. Stinson installs Daikin, Panasonic and Samsung systems and runs a 28-point quality control check on every job. It’s the same standard Stinson uses on with Perth’s largest project builders like Dale Alcock Homes or a boutique builder like Dorrington Homes, applied to residential installs.
Getting this right at installation avoids problems down the track: uneven temperatures, systems working harder than they need to and equipment wearing out earlier than it should.
Which one should you choose?
If you’re cooling one or two rooms, a split system is the right call. If you want whole-house comfort, a clean finish and the flexibility of zoning, ducted is worth the investment, particularly on a new build or full renovation where ductwork can go in cleanly.
The best way to work it out is to have someone look at your home specifically. Stinson’s team is based in Osborne Park and covers the Perth metro area. Get in touch for a quote on your Perth home.