Ducted air conditioning in UK homes
By Dale @ ukaircontracker · facts checked
Quick answer
Ducted air conditioning hides the indoor unit in a loft, ceiling void or plant cupboard and sends cooled or heated air to each room through ducts and small grilles. It is the most discreet option but the most disruptive to fit. A whole-house system in the UK typically costs £5,000–£9,000 or more, and it is easiest to install during a renovation or new build.
| Feature | Ducted | Wall-mounted split |
|---|---|---|
| What you see indoors | Grilles only | A wall unit in each room |
| Space needed | Loft, ceiling void or bulkhead for ducts | A wall and a route for pipes |
| Typical cost | £5,000 – £9,000+ (whole house) | £1,500 – £2,500 per room |
| Room-by-room control | Needs zoning dampers | Standard |
| Best time to fit | Renovation, extension, new build | Any time |
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What a ducted system needs
The fan coil unit and ductwork need a void large enough to hide them, plus space for return-air grilles and access for filter cleaning. Bungalows with a usable loft and homes with suspended ceilings suit ducted systems best. In a finished house with solid ceilings, a ducted install can mean building bulkheads or boxing.
An outdoor condenser is still needed, as with any split system, and the refrigerant work must be done by an F-gas certified installer.
Zoning
A basic ducted system treats the whole area as one zone. To set bedrooms cooler than the living room you need motorised zone dampers and a zone controller, which add to the cost. Ask for zoning to be priced separately in any quote.
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Common questions
- How much does ducted air conditioning cost in the UK?
- A whole-house ducted system typically costs £5,000–£9,000 or more, depending on the number of rooms, the duct runs and whether zoning is added. A survey is needed for an accurate price.
- Is ducted air conditioning worth it in the UK?
- It is worth considering if you want cooling and heating in most rooms without visible wall units and you are renovating anyway. For one or two rooms, wall-mounted splits cost far less.
- Can ducted air conditioning heat as well as cool?
- Most ducted systems are reversible heat pumps and can heat as well as cool.
- Does a ducted system need a loft?
- It needs a hidden space for the indoor unit and ducts: usually a loft, a ceiling void or a boxed-in bulkhead.