Ducted air conditioning
cost in Sydney

$6,500–$12,000 installed for most Sydney homes. Single-storey zoned systems run $6,500–$9,000; larger two-storey homes run $9,000–$12,000. Roof cavity access and zone count set where you land, the unit itself is typically only 40–50% of the price.

Sometimes, but honestly: most terraces lack the roof cavity ducted needs. Bulkhead systems (ducts boxed below the ceiling) work at a premium, and multiple splits often deliver the same comfort for less. A good installer will tell you which side of the line your house is on, ours are picked to be that kind of installer.

Usually, and by a lot: a like-for-like changeover reusing sound ductwork runs about $6,500–$9,300 in Sydney, skipping most of the labour. Get the ducts inspected first, old leaky runs can eat the saving in running costs and are sometimes worth replacing anyway.

For 1–3 rooms, splits win on install and running cost. From 4+ daily-use rooms, ducted becomes competitive per room and wins on whole-home coverage and aesthetics. Our split vs ducted calculator runs both totals for your home in thirty seconds, free, no email.

1–2 days on site for a straightforward single-storey install, 2–3 days for two-storey or complex zoning, after a proper site visit and quote, ducted is never priced accurately over the phone. In peak summer, add 2–4 weeks of queue before the crew arrives.