Ducted air conditioners
1,016
models on the register
Short answer
1016 ducted air conditioners are registered for sale in Australia in 2026, from 2.5 to 29.6 kW. Supplied and installed, most land between $6,500 to $20,000; up to three licensed local installers will quote your actual job.
Prices are estimates, not quotes (how we estimate them). Rebate rules checked September 2026.
Compare 3 quotes for my houseThe register lists 1,016 ducted air conditioners from 26 brands, from 2.5 kW up to nearly 30 kW. For a house, the useful part of that list is much shorter: most homes land between 10 and 18 kW, and the model matters less than how the system is sized, zoned and installed.
The tables below group every ducted model by size, with the star ratings and outdoor noise from the Energy Rating register. Then get up to three local quotes, because a ducted price depends on your roof space more than on the unit.
At a glance
- Models1016from 26 brands
- Installed, estimate$6,500–$20,000
- Most efficient (average zone)Brivis AINHU15B15 cooling stars, 13.6 kW
- Reverse cycle97%heat and cool
- R32 refrigerant87%the current low-GWP standard
Under 10 kW
281 models · installed $6,500–$10,500 · see all 281
| Brand | Model (outdoor / indoor) | Type | Cool kW | Heat kW | Cool stars | Heat stars | Indoor dB | Installed, estimate | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ActronAir | LRC-071DS / LRE-071DS | Ducted | 7.3 | 7.5 | 4★ | 3★ | – | $6,500–$10,500 | Get quotes |
| Carrier | 38QSP070N8/42QSP070N8 | Ducted | 7.3 | 7.5 | 4★ | 3★ | – | $6,500–$10,500 | Get quotes |
| Kaden | KDI-7.0 | Ducted | 7.3 | 7.5 | 4★ | 3★ | – | $6,500–$10,500 | Get quotes |
| Kaden | KDI24 / KDI24 | Ducted | 7.3 | 7.5 | 4★ | 2.5★ | – | $6,500–$10,500 | Get quotes |
| Midea | UCMI70OC/DUCMI70IC | Ducted | 7.3 | 7.5 | 4★ | 3★ | – | $6,500–$10,500 | Get quotes |
| Rinnai | DONSR07B1LA/DINLR07B1A | Ducted | 7.3 | 7.5 | 4★ | 3★ | – | $6,500–$10,500 | Get quotes |
10 to 14 kW
487 models · installed $8,000–$15,000 · see all 487
| Brand | Model (outdoor / indoor) | Type | Cool kW | Heat kW | Cool stars | Heat stars | Indoor dB | Installed, estimate | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brivis | AONSR15B1/AINHU15B1 | Ducted | 13.6 | 15.7 | 5★ | 3.5★ | – | $8,000–$15,000 | Get quotes |
| Brivis | AONSR13B1/AINHU11B1 | Ducted | 10.3 | 11.3 | 4.5★ | 3.5★ | – | $8,000–$15,000 | Get quotes |
| ActronAir | LRC-100CS / LRE-100CS | Ducted | 10.5 | 11.5 | 4★ | 3★ | – | $8,000–$15,000 | Get quotes |
| Brivis | AONSR13B1/AINHU13B1 | Ducted | 12 | 13.8 | 4★ | 3.5★ | – | $8,000–$15,000 | Get quotes |
| Carrier | 38QSV125N8E/42QSV125N8H | Ducted | 12.5 | 14.5 | 4★ | 2.5★ | – | $8,000–$15,000 | Get quotes |
| Kaden | KDI36 / KDI36 | Ducted | 10.5 | 11.5 | 4★ | 2.5★ | – | $8,000–$15,000 | Get quotes |
14 to 18 kW
165 models · installed $10,000–$17,000 · see all 165
| Brand | Model (outdoor / indoor) | Type | Cool kW | Heat kW | Cool stars | Heat stars | Indoor dB | Installed, estimate | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rinnai | DONSR14Z72/ DINLR14Z72 | Ducted | 14.5 | 17 | 4★ | 1.5★ | – | $10,000–$17,000 | Get quotes |
| Rinnai | DONSGHW18Z2/DINLR17Z72 +2 variants with the same ratings | Ducted | 17 | 17.5 | 4★ | 2★ | – | $10,000–$17,000 | Get quotes |
| ActronAir | LRC-170CS / LRE-170CS | Ducted | 16.6 | 17.6 | 3.5★ | 2.5★ | – | $10,000–$17,000 | Get quotes |
| ActronAir | LRC-170DS / LRE-170DS | Ducted | 17 | 18 | 3.5★ | 2.5★ | – | $10,000–$17,000 | Get quotes |
18 kW and up
83 models · installed $12,000–$20,000 · see all 83
| Brand | Model (outdoor / indoor) | Type | Cool kW | Heat kW | Cool stars | Heat stars | Indoor dB | Installed, estimate | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ActronAir | CRV19BT / EAA19BS & EFV19BS +1 variant with the same ratings | Ducted | 19 | 19 | 2.5★ | 2★ | – | $12,000–$20,000 | Get quotes |
| ActronAir | CRV210T / EAA210S & EFV210S +1 variant with the same ratings | Ducted | 19 | 20 | 2.5★ | 2★ | – | $12,000–$20,000 | Get quotes |
| ActronAir | CRS20AT / ECA20AS & EFA20AS +1 variant with the same ratings | Ducted | 19.8 | 22 | 2.5★ | 2★ | – | $12,000–$20,000 | Get quotes |
Every model on the Energy Rating register marked available in Australia. Stars are the zoned label for the average climate zone (average zone); indoor noise is the registered sound power level, measured the same way for every model. Installed prices are estimated 2026 supply-and-install ranges, not quotes (how we estimate them); your installer confirms the number. Browse and filter everything in the full catalogue.
What size ducted air conditioning do I need?
Ducted is sized on the whole conditioned area, but not at full load for every room at once. A zoned system is designed around the fact that you cool the living areas in the afternoon and the bedrooms at night. These are the same rules of thumb as our sizing guide.
| Home | Conditioned area | Typical capacity | Size page | Installed, typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apartment or 2 bedroom | under about 120 m² | under 10 kW | Under 10 kW (281 models) | $6,500 to $10,500 |
| 3 bedroom, single storey | about 120 to 160 m² | 10 to 14 kW | 10 to 14 kW (487 models) | $8,000 to $15,000 |
| 4 bedroom, single storey | about 160 to 220 m² | 14 to 17 kW | 14 to 18 kW (165 models) | $10,000 to $17,000 |
| Large or two storey home | varies | often two systems, or 18 kW and up | 18 kW and up (83 models) | $12,000 to $20,000 |
See the 10 to 14 kW and 14 to 18 kW pages for the models in the two most common classes.
Why zoning matters more than the brand
Ducted units carry lower star ratings than splits. The median ducted system on the register rates 2.5 cooling stars in the average zone; a 7.1 kW wall split rates 3.5. What makes ducted affordable to run is zoning: a motorised damper per zone, so the system only conditions the rooms you're using.
Four to six zones suits most three and four bedroom homes. Keep the main bedroom off the living-room zone. Ask where the thermostat or zone sensors will go, because a single hallway sensor is how a big system ends up cooling the linen press. Our ducted system guide covers controllers and layouts.
Single phase or three phase ducted?
Check your switchboard before you fall for a model. On the register, 302 of the 1,016 ducted units need three-phase power. Under 10 kW that is only 4 percent, from 10 to 14.5 kW about 30 percent, from 14.5 to 18.5 kW about 40 percent, and above 18.5 kW every model. Most homes are single phase, so the installer needs to quote a single-phase model or price the power upgrade.
Which brands make ducted air conditioning?
Mitsubishi Electric has the most ducted registrations at 240, then Daikin at 144, Panasonic 90, ActronAir 78 and Fujitsu 57. ActronAir and Daikin are the names most often seen on new-build specs, and our ActronAir vs Daikin comparison sets them side by side. Browse Daikin ducted or Mitsubishi Electric ducted for single-brand lists.
What a ducted quote should show
- Indoor and outdoor model numbers and the capacity in kW.
- The number of zones, which rooms are on each, and the controller.
- Outlet count and the return-air position.
- Single or three phase, and any electrical work: about $300 to $900 for a dedicated circuit, or $1,000 to $3,500 for a switchboard upgrade.
- Removal of the old system and any rebate taken off.
The ducted cost guide explains what moves the price. Then compare up to three local quotes side by side, line by line.
FAQ
Ducted air conditioners: common questions
Why don't ducted systems have an indoor noise figure?
The indoor unit sits in the roof space, so what you hear in the room depends on the duct design and outlet sizes. The register gives the outdoor unit's sound level. For the 10 to 14 kW class the median is about 71 dB(A), well above a large split, so think about where the outdoor unit goes relative to bedrooms, yours and the neighbours'.
Is R32 or R410A better for ducted?
R32 is the current standard, with a much lower global warming potential. 888 of the 1,016 ducted models use it. R410A still shows up on larger and older-design units, so if a quote specifies R410A, ask whether an R32 equivalent is available.
Is ducted cheaper than putting a split in every room?
Per room, the installed prices are closer than people expect. A single storey four bedroom ducted job spread over six or seven rooms works out around $2,000 a room, similar to a 2.5 kW split. Ducted costs more to run unless it is zoned. Our split vs ducted guide compares them.
How much does a ducted air conditioner cost installed?
Typically $6,500 to $20,000 supplied and installed in 2026, depending on size and the job. Under 10 kW: $6,500 to $10,500; 10 to 14 kW: $8,000 to $15,000; 14 to 18 kW: $10,000 to $17,000; 18 kW and up: $12,000 to $20,000. Pipe runs, a new circuit or a second storey add to it. Get up to three local quotes for your actual job.
Which is the most energy efficient?
For the average climate zone, the Brivis AINHU15B1 (13.6 kW) has the highest cooling rating here at 5 stars. Star ratings on the zoned label run to 10, and a star is worth more in a hot zone than a mild one. For cold-climate heating, the Brivis AINHU11B1 leads at 3 stars.
What size ducted system do I need?
Most three-bedroom homes land around 10 to 14 kW and four-bedroom homes 14 to 18 kW, but insulation, ceiling height and zoning change it. Our sizing guide explains how installers work it out.
Sources
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