G'day! With summer just around the corner, the big question in many Aussie households is about upgrading the cooling. For whole-home comfort, the ultimate solution is a ducted air conditioning system. But it's also a major investment, similar to buying a small car or renovating a kitchen.

So, before you go any further, you need to know the answer to the crucial question: just how much is ducted air conditioning? Let's break down the costs so you can budget properly.

The Ballpark Figures: A Quick Price Guide for 2025

It's important to remember that every home is different, but for a fully installed reverse cycle ducted system in a standard single-storey home in Australia, these are the ballpark figures you can expect in 2025:

• 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

You'll get a few different quotes, so what makes the price go up or down? It comes down to these key factors.

The Size of Your Home and the Unit (kW)

A larger home requires a more powerful (and more expensive) system to cool it effectively. The unit's capacity is measured in kilowatts (kW), and the bigger the unit, the higher the price tag for the hardware.

The Number of Zones You Want

"Zoning" is a brilliant feature that lets you turn off the air con to rooms you're not using, which saves a motza on your power bills. However, each zone requires its own electronic damper and controller, which adds to the upfront cost of the system. More zones = a higher price.

The Brand You Choose

Just like with cars, premium brands cost more. Top-tier brands with a long-standing reputation for performance and reliability in Aussie conditions, like Daikin and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, will have a higher price point than more budget-friendly options.

Installation Complexity

A simple installation in a new, single-storey home with great roof access is the cheapest scenario. Trying to retrofit a system into an existing two-storey home with a tight roof space is a much more labour-intensive job, and the quote will reflect that.

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.

Remember: This is a Job for a Team of Licensed Pros

Installing ducted air conditioning is a major project. It is 100% not a DIY job and is illegal to attempt yourself. The installation must be done by a team of qualified professionals, including a licensed air conditioning technician (with an ARCtick licence) to handle the refrigeration system, and a licensed electrician to manage the high-power electrical connections.

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 magnitude. 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 and compliant installation. When you're asking, "how much is ducted air conditioning," remember that the quality of the components from a supplier like Schnap Electric is a crucial part of the long-term value.