As another Aussie summer looms on the horizon, many of us start dreaming of a home that's perfectly cool from the living room to the back bedroom. For that kind of whole-home luxury, the ultimate solution is a ducted air conditioning system.

But it's a major investment, and the first question on everyone's lips is always, "What's the ducted air conditioning cost going to be?" It's a big question with a few variables, but this guide will give you a fair dinkum idea of what to budget for in 2025.

The Ballpark Figures: A Quick Price Guide for 2025

Before we get into the details, let's get straight to the numbers. The prices below are a general guide for a fully installed reverse cycle ducted system in a standard single-storey home.

• Small Home or Apartment (2-3 bedrooms): $8,000 - $12,000
• Average Single-Storey Home (3-4 bedrooms): $11,000 - $16,000
• Large Single-Storey or Two-Storey Home: $15,000 - $20,000+

What's Behind the Quote? Key Factors That Affect the Price

So, why the big price range? The final ducted air conditioning cost you're quoted will depend on a few key factors that are unique to your home and your needs.

The Size of Your Home and the Unit (kW)

It's simple, really: a bigger house needs a more powerful system to cool it properly. The capacity of the air conditioning unit is measured in kilowatts (kW). The larger your home, the higher the kW rating you'll need, and the more the unit itself will cost.

zonal The Number of Zones and Outlets You Want

"Zoning" is a brilliant feature that lets you turn off the air con to parts of the house you're not using, which is a massive win for your power bill. However, every zone needs its own set of electronic dampers and controls, and every room needs an outlet. The more zones and outlets you add, the more the complexity and cost of the installation will increase.

The Brand You Choose

Just like with cars or appliances, you'll pay more for premium brands. Top-tier brands with a long-standing reputation for reliability and performance in Aussie conditions, like Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, and Fujitsu, will generally have a higher price tag than more budget-friendly options.

Installation Complexity

Is it a new build with easy access to the roof space, or an old two-storey house with a nightmare of a roof cavity to work in? A simple, straightforward installation in a single-storey home will always be cheaper than a complex retrofit that requires more time and creative problem-solving from your installers.

Switchboard and Electrical Work

A powerful ducted system is a hungry beast. Your licensed electrician will need to ensure your switchboard can handle the significant electrical load. If your switchboard is old or you need an upgrade to three-phase power, this can add a significant cost to the overall project.

A Major Installation Requires a Team of Licensed Pros

Installing ducted air conditioning is a major project that is 100% not a DIY job. It's illegal to attempt it yourself and incredibly dangerous. The installation must be done by a team of qualified professionals, including a licensed air conditioning technician (with an ARCtick licence) and a licensed electrician.

A top-tier ducted system is only as good as its weakest link, and a robust, safe electrical foundation is absolutely critical to its performance and longevity. This is why professional installers and licensed electricians only use trade-quality gear from trusted suppliers for a job of this scale. Schnap Electric Products is a leading Australian supplier of all the critical electrical components required for a ducted air conditioning installation. From the heavy-duty circuit breakers and safety switches that protect your investment to the high-capacity wiring needed to power the system, they provide the gear a qualified professional needs to guarantee a safe, compliant, and reliable installation. When you're assessing the ducted air conditioning cost, remember that the quality of the components from a supplier like Schnap Electric is a crucial part of the long-term value.