Free tool for Melbourne homeowners
Ducted or Split Systems: Which Costs Less Over 10 Years?
Compare reverse cycle ducted against split systems for your home: indicative install cost plus 10 years of running costs, side by side, at current Victorian rates.
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How the comparison works
Total cost of ownership is what matters: what you pay to install, plus what the system costs to run for the decade you own it. The calculator prices both sides the same way:
Install anchors
Indicative Melbourne installed prices: around $2,600 per split system and around $13,000 for ducted reverse cycle, adjusted for storeys, size and existing ducts.
Running engine
Same assumptions as our running cost calculator: 30 c/kWh, modern reverse cycle efficiency, 120 heating plus 90 cooling days a year.
10 year window
Both system types typically serve well past 10 years, so a decade is a fair, conservative comparison period.
What is not counted
Servicing costs are similar for both and excluded. Energy price changes and VEU rebates are noted but not baked into the totals.
The key behavioural difference: with splits you only condition the rooms you switch on, while ducted conditions zones of the whole home. That is why splits usually win on running cost for a few rooms, and why zoning matters so much on ducted quotes.
Method, sources and review
We publish the working behind this tool rather than asking you to trust the number. The assumptions above are the ones the calculator actually uses. These are the sources they come from.
- Default electricity rateVictorian Default Offer (Essential Services Commission)
- Indicative installed price rangesOur own Melbourne install pricing (Climate Control Solutions)
- Rebate estimates and eligibilityVictorian Energy Upgrades (Victorian Government)
- Capacity, efficiency and performance figuresManufacturer specifications (Mitsubishi Electric, Daikin, Fujitsu, Panasonic, ActronAir, Brivis, Braemar)
Typical 10 year totals
Using the model above for common Melbourne scenarios, single storey with no existing ducts unless noted:
| Scenario | Split systems | Ducted | Value pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 rooms, evenings only | about $6,900 | about $15,700 | Splits |
| 3 rooms, evenings only | about $10,200 | about $15,900 | Splits |
| 4 rooms, half the day | about $18,800 | about $20,400 | Close call |
| 4 rooms, half the day, replacing gas ducted | about $18,800 | about $17,200 | Leans ducted |
| 5 plus rooms, most of the day, double storey | about $32,000 | about $29,700 | Leans ducted |
The pattern is consistent: splits win for a few rooms, the options converge around four rooms, and ducted pulls ahead for whole home usage or when existing ductwork cuts the install cost. A VEU rebate on a gas ducted changeover shifts it further toward ducted.
Beyond the numbers
Cost is half the decision. The rest is how you live in the home:
Split systems win when
- You mainly condition 2 or 3 rooms, not the whole home
- You want to stage the spend, adding a room at a time
- There is no roof space or existing ductwork
- Different rooms want different temperatures at once
Ducted wins when
- You want every room comfortable with nothing on the walls
- You are replacing old gas ducted heating and the ducts are reusable
- Whole home comfort runs most of the day
- Resale presentation matters: one discreet system, ceiling vents only
There is also a middle path: a multi head split system runs 2 to 5 indoor units from one outdoor unit, without ductwork. And if you are weighing heating specifically, compare the reverse cycle ducted heating and split system heating pages for how each warms a Melbourne winter.
Keep comparing
Frequently asked questions
Is ducted air conditioning cheaper to run than split systems?
Usually not for a few rooms: splits only condition the rooms you switch on, so 2 or 3 splits run cheaper than a whole home ducted system. For whole home usage the gap closes, and a well zoned ducted system can match or beat five separate splits running all day.
How much does ducted reverse cycle cost to install in Melbourne?
Indicatively around $13,000 installed for a typical single storey home, with a realistic range of about $10,000 to $18,000 depending on size, zoning and access. Changeovers that reuse existing ductwork from old gas ducted heating or ducted air conditioning cost meaningfully less, and VEU rebates can apply on gas changeovers.
How much does a split system cost installed?
Indicatively around $2,600 installed per unit for a typical back to back installation, ranging from about $1,800 for a small bedroom unit to $3,500 plus for large or complex installs. Multiple units installed together usually price better per unit.
Can I add split systems one room at a time?
Yes, and it is one of their biggest advantages: you can stage the spend, starting with the living room and main bedroom, and add rooms later. Ducted is a single upfront project, which is why the comparison depends so much on how many rooms you actually condition.
Does replacing gas ducted heating with reverse cycle ducted get a rebate?
Often, yes. Replacing gas ducted heating with an efficient reverse cycle system is a core Victorian Energy Upgrades activity, with indicative discounts of $3,000 to $5,500 for ducted systems depending on size. Final eligibility is confirmed by the accredited provider.
Get real quotes for both options
The calculator narrows the choice; a free on site assessment settles it. We quote splits and ducted for your actual home, including any VEU rebate, and tell you plainly which we would pick.
Book your free assessment Or call 0412 769 022.