There is nothing quite as deflating as calling around for ducted air conditioning quotes in Melbourne and getting back a range so wide it tells you almost nothing. One installer says $9,000. Another says $18,000. Neither explains why. Most Melbourne homeowners end up confused, unsure whether they are being quoted fairly or just guessing at a number they can live with.
At King & Sons Heating and Cooling, we install ducted systems across Melbourne every week. The figures in this guide come from real jobs in the local market — not national averages that bear no resemblance to what labour and equipment actually cost in Victoria.
What Does Ducted Air Conditioning Cost in Melbourne?
For most Melbourne homes, a fully installed ducted system sits between $8,000 and $20,000. That price covers the outdoor compressor, indoor fan coil unit, ceiling ductwork, diffuser vents, zone controls and installation by a licensed technician.
| Home Size | Capacity | Zones Included | Estimated Installed Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-3 bedroom | 10-12.5 kW | 2 zones | $8,000 – $12,000 |
| 3-4 bedroom | 12.5-14 kW | 3 zones | $10,000 – $15,000 |
| 4-5 bedroom | 14-18 kW | 4 zones | $13,000 – $20,000 |
| Large / multi-storey | 18 kW+ | 5+ zones | $18,000 – $25,000+ |
These figures are based on current Melbourne market rates. Your actual quote will vary depending on your specific property. Any installer who gives you a firm price without first visiting the site is guessing — and that guess is usually wrong.
What Drives the Cost?
System Capacity
The biggest cost driver is how much heating and cooling power your home actually needs, measured in kilowatts (kW). Get this wrong and you pay for it every month.
An undersized system runs at full load constantly, never quite reaches the target temperature, wears out faster and pushes up electricity bills year after year. An oversized system short-cycles — it hits the target quickly, shuts off, kicks back on, and never runs long enough to properly dehumidify the air. The result is a cool but clammy, uncomfortable house.
We calculate the correct capacity based on your floor plan, ceiling height, insulation, glazing and the orientation of your home. This step is not optional.
Number of Zones
Zoning divides your home into independently controlled areas so you only condition the rooms in use. Close off the bedrooms during the day or shut down the living areas at night, and you are directly reducing your running costs every time.
A basic two-zone setup adds $500 to $1,000 to the installation. A fully zoned four to five zone system with smart app control adds $2,000 to $4,000. Add zones at installation — retrofitting them later always costs more because dampers and wiring need to run through ductwork already inside a finished ceiling.
Roof Access and Installation Complexity
All ductwork runs through your roof cavity. How accessible that space is has a direct impact on labour cost. A clear, open roof is quick to work in. Tight roof pitches, concrete ceilings, multi-storey layouts or heavily insulated cavities require more time and sometimes creative routing.
New builds are almost always cheaper to duct than existing homes — the ductwork goes in before the ceiling plasterboard does. In a double-brick or heritage Melbourne home, budget for complexity. A thorough on-site assessment flags this upfront, not after work begins.
Brand and Energy Efficiency Rating
Brands like Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Fujitsu and Brivis cost more upfront but deliver better efficiency ratings, quieter operation, longer warranties and greater reliability across 15 to 20 years of Melbourne summers and winters.
In Victoria’s electricity market, the gap in running costs between a lower-rated and a high-efficiency ducted system adds up to hundreds of dollars each year. For most homes, the more efficient system pays back the price difference within four to six years — and keeps paying after that. We only supply brands we are prepared to stand behind.
Replacement vs New Installation
Replacing an existing ducted system where the ductwork is still sound is meaningfully cheaper — often only the indoor and outdoor units need replacing. If the existing ducts are degraded, leaking or poorly insulated, budget for a full re-duct on top of the unit cost. We assess this honestly during the site inspection.
What Does a Ducted System Cost to Run?
A modern ducted system in Melbourne costs roughly $0.80 to $1.50 per hour at full load. A 14 kW system running six hours on a 38-degree day costs around $6 to $9 for that day. With zoning active and only occupied areas being conditioned, that figure drops considerably. Over a full Melbourne summer, a correctly sized and zoned system typically adds $300 to $500 to your quarterly electricity bill during peak months.
Modern ducted systems use inverter technology, which adjusts output continuously to match actual demand rather than cycling on and off at full power. This is the main reason a 2026 system costs so much less to run than an equivalent unit from ten years ago.
Practical ways to keep running costs down:
- Use zoning to shut off areas not in use
- Set cooling to 24-26 degrees rather than 18 — each degree lower adds meaningfully to the bill
- Service the system annually to keep efficiency at its rated level
- Keep external doors and windows closed while the system runs
- Run ceiling fans alongside the system to distribute cool air efficiently
Are Government Rebates Available in Victoria?
Yes. Victoria’s Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program provides rebates for the installation of energy-efficient ducted air conditioning systems, particularly when replacing older or less efficient equipment. When upgrading from an older ducted system or a less efficient heating source to a modern reverse cycle ducted system, the rebate typically ranges from $500 to $1,500 depending on system size, energy rating and the equipment being replaced.
VEU rebate values are updated regularly. Confirm current eligibility with your installer at the time of quoting — figures published online can be months out of date.
Ducted vs Split System: Which Is Right for Your Home?
| Ducted System | Split System | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Whole-home comfort, 3+ bedrooms | 1-2 rooms, apartments, targeted cooling |
| Install cost | $8,000 – $20,000+ | $1,500 – $4,500 per unit |
| Running cost (whole home) | Lower — one system covers all rooms | Higher — multiple units running independently |
| Annual servicing | One service for the whole system | One service per unit |
| Aesthetics | Ceiling vents only, no wall units | Wall-mounted indoor unit in each room |
| Resale value | Higher — whole-home system is a strong selling point | Lower |
For new builds and major renovations, ducted air conditioning is almost always the better long-term decision. For one or two rooms where budget is the immediate priority, a split system gets the job done faster and cheaper. We will give you a straight answer after seeing the home — not a recommendation based on which option has the better margin.
Questions to Ask Before Committing to Any Installer
- Is the quote fixed price or an estimate?
- Does it include all ductwork, vents, zone controllers and electrical work?
- What brand and model are you specifying, and why that one for my home?
- How did you calculate the system capacity?
- What does the warranty cover — parts and labour separately?
- Are you VBA licensed and ARCtick certified for refrigerant handling?
Any installer who cannot answer these clearly before you sign is worth reconsidering.
What Does the Installation Process Look Like?
A standard ducted installation takes one to three days in Melbourne. New builds move faster. Retrofits in established homes with complex roof access take longer.
- On-site system sizing based on your specific property
- Ductwork fabricated and installed through the roof cavity
- Indoor fan coil unit mounted in the roof space
- Outdoor compressor unit installed and electrically commissioned
- Refrigerant charged and verified at the correct operating pressure
- Airflow tested and balanced at every outlet
- Zone controller configured with full handover to you
We do not leave until every vent is performing correctly and you know how to use the system.
How Long Does a Ducted System Last?
A quality ducted air conditioning system, serviced annually, lasts 15 to 20 years in Melbourne’s climate. The ductwork frequently outlasts the mechanical components — a future upgrade may only need the indoor and outdoor units replaced rather than a complete re-duct.
Annual air conditioning servicing is the most cost-effective protection for that investment. A proper service covers filter cleaning, refrigerant charge verification, coil inspection, ductwork condition assessment, electrical testing and airflow verification at every outlet.
Why Choose King & Sons?
As local Melbourne HVAC specialists, we have installed every configuration imaginable — from compact 2-bedroom residential units to multi-storey and commercial properties with complex zoning requirements. Here is what sets us apart:
- Upfront, fixed pricing: No vague estimates that shift after the work starts
- Correct sizing, every time: We calculate the system based on your actual home, not a rough floor area rule of thumb
- Brands we stand behind: Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Fujitsu, Brivis — we only supply what we are confident servicing for the life of the system
- Licensed and insured: VBA licensed, ARCtick certified and fully insured for every job
Frequently Asked Questions
Need Assistance?
Need a ducted air conditioning quote in Melbourne? $0 call-out fee · Same-day service · 100% workmanship guarantee. Call King & Sons on 03 9124 9916 or get a free quote online.