Split System vs Ducted: Which Suits Your Home?

Melbourne's weather throws everything at you — 40-degree summers, single-digit winter mornings, and four seasons in one day. Whatever heating and cooling you choose, it needs to handle the lot. The two main options for Melbourne homes are split systems and ducted systems. Here's how they compare.

Upfront Cost

Split systems win on initial outlay:

• Single split system (one room): $1,800–$3,500 installed
• Multi-split system (2-3 rooms): $5,000–$9,000 installed
• Ducted system (whole home): $8,000–$18,000+ installed

But upfront cost can be misleading. If you need to heat and cool 4+ rooms, four individual split systems can cost more than one ducted system — and you end up with four outdoor units instead of one.

Running Costs

Modern inverter split systems are extremely efficient. A quality 7kW unit (large bedroom or living area) costs about $0.30-$0.50 per hour to run. The catch: you're only heating or cooling that one room.

Ducted systems heat or cool the whole house, but you can zone them. With zoning, you only condition the rooms you're using — which brings running costs close to split systems. Without zoning, a ducted system costs more because it's conditioning rooms nobody is in.

Installation Impact

This is where Melbourne's housing stock matters:

• Split systems: One hole in the wall, one outdoor unit. Minimal disruption. Works in any home, old or new.
• Ducted systems: Requires roof space for ductwork. Older Melbourne homes with low roof cavities or flat roofs can be difficult (and more expensive) to retrofit.

If you're building new or your home has a pitched roof with good cavity space, ducted is straightforward. Retrofitting a 1960s brick veneer? Split systems are usually the practical choice.

VEU Rebates — Both Are Eligible

The Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program offers rebates on both split systems and ducted systems. The rebate amount depends on your existing system (replacing gas? upgrading from an old unit?) and the efficiency rating of the new unit. Typical VEU discounts:

• Split system replacement: $300–$800 off
• Ducted system replacement: $500–$1,200 off

We handle the VEU paperwork for every install — the discount is applied before you pay.

Our Recommendation

For most Melbourne homes, here's our take:

• Apartment or 1-2 bedrooms: Split system. No contest.
• 3-bedroom home, pitched roof: Ducted with zoning. Comfort across the house without the clutter of multiple outdoor units.
• Older home, flat roof, or limited budget: Multi-split system. 2-3 indoor units on one outdoor unit gives you flexible coverage.

Not sure which option fits your home? We do free on-site assessments. Our team will check your roof space, measure the rooms, and recommend the right system and size. Call 1300 334 114 or book online.