Over the years, air conditioning has become a must-have feature of most homes in Australia, which is not surprising, given the extremes of temperature our country subjects us to! Keeping you wonderfully cool in summer and cosily warm in winter, there are a range of different air conditioner types, including ducted systems.
Rather than having multiple split system units in multiple rooms, their construction relies on a network of ducts hidden out of sight in walls, ceilings or floorboards and well-placed vents throughout an entire home.
The brand of ducted air conditioning system you choose depends on your property’s construction and your needs. Regardless, ducted air conditioners are an optimal way to heat and cool your home in an aesthetically pleasing way. So, what are the best ducted air conditioning brands in Australia?
What are the best air conditioner brands for ducted air conditioning?
In terms of what is the best ducted air conditioning brand in Australia, several high-profile brands are renowned for their efficiency, ease of use and cutting-edge features. They include:
Daikin
In terms of what is the best brand of ducted air conditioning, Daikin is one of Australia’s most trusted names in air conditioning. Employing over 550 employees, they have been cooling and heating properties for over 50 years and take pride in designing products that provide efficient, clean and superior comfort. Their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Sydney continues to drive advances in superior and energy-efficient comfort.
Daikin offers four types of ducted reverse-cycle air conditioning systems:
- Premium inverter ducted. This suits small to large houses and also has R22 retrofit capability. The R22 has been one of the most popular models since the 1990s. However, it is not environmentally friendly. The new system can be retrofitted onto an existing R22 system by replacing the indoor and outdoor units while retaining the existing wiring and piping.
- Inverter ducted. This compact design for small to large houses is ideal for installation where the roof and outdoor space are limited.
- Slimline ducted. Suited for small homes with narrow ceiling spaces.
- Bulkhead systems. Designed for those looking for discreet installation, particularly homes with shallow or drop ceilings.
Features include automatic airflow adjustment, an automatic fan speed selection to suit the set temperature and a Night Quiet Mode to reduce outdoor noise levels while you sleep. Crown Power are Daikin air conditioning specialists in Brisbane and has a wealth of knowledge and experience installing Daikin products.
Panasonic
Australians have trusted the Panasonic air conditioning brand in their homes for over 40 years. Founded in Japan in 1918 by Konosuke Matsushita, Panasonic’s first air conditioning design was a table top electric fan in 1936. By 1958, the first Panasonic room air conditioner was developed and marketed under the National Brand. By 1975, Panasonic’s technology had rapidly increased, and they became the first Japanese air conditioner manufacturer in Europe and quickly expanded to include the rest of the world. During the 1990s, Panasonic developed their air conditioning range to include automated controls and inverter technology. Over the next ten years, Panasonic focused on environmentally friendly air conditioners, and by 2003, the range was energy efficient and non-ozone depleting—something worth considering if you are researching which is the best ducted air conditioning brand.
Panasonic offers four types of ducted air conditioning systems:
- Splittable high static ducted. This system offers exceptional installation flexibility. Features include intuitive Wi-Fi control and voice control (through Google Assistant and Alexa).
- High static ducted. It also offers exceptional installation flexibility. Features include intuitive Wi-Fi control and voice control (through Google Assistant and Alexa), plus NanoeX
- Technology, an air purification system developed by Panasonic and certified by Sensitive Choice. This specialised filter helps limit the growth of viruses, bacteria, mould, allergens and pollution, eliminating bad smells and deodorising the space.
- Adaptive ducted. This system is ideal for heating, cooling or air purifying dwellings with limited ceiling space or those requiring vertical installation, including apartments and townhouses. Features include intuitive Wi-Fi control and voice control (through Google Assistant and Alexa), plus NanoeX Technology, which is an air purification system developed by
- Panasonic and certified by Sensitive Choice. This specialised filter helps limit the growth of viruses, bacteria, mould, allergens and pollution, getting rid of bad smells and deodorising the space.
- Ultra slim ducted. This system can be installed in the tightest of spaces. Features include intuitive Wi-Fi control and voice control (through Google Assistant and Alexa).
Fujitsu General
Still asking yourself what is the best ducted air conditioning brand? Consider Fujitsu air conditioning. The company has a long history of electronic innovation dating back to 1935, when Fuji Electric was established in Tokyo, Japan. Recognised worldwide as one of the top four IT services providers, Fujitsu has also established itself as a leader in air conditioning products, including ducted, split and wall-mounted systems. In 1965 the company teamed with Suburban in the USA to develop its first window air conditioner. Over the next ten years, Fujitsu launched a range of air conditioners, including their easy-to-install “min min” cassette air conditioner and their “super quiet” range of window air conditioners.
The Fujitsu General ducted range includes:
- Bulkhead. A compact design with flexible installation options.
- Slimline. This range is slim and compact enough to fit into most ceilings with zone control.
- Single Phase. High static allows several air ducts to be installed and has zone control.
- Three Phase. Designed to offer higher energy efficiency than other ranges, plus zone control.
All models boast programmable systems, DC fan motors and DC rotary compressors. They also feature an intuitive control panel that lets you select the temperature, choose the fan speed and program a weekly timer. The Fujitsu optional backlit zone controller allows for up to eight zones to be set. For convenience, you can also rename the zones, such as Zone 1 as ‘Living Area’, Zone 2 as ‘Kitchen’, etc.
Mitsubishi Electric
Established in 1921, Mitsubishi Electric released its first mass-produced consumer product for the home—an electrical desk fan—which became an instant success. By the 1930s Mitsubishi began to manufacture air coolers, which were just as popular. In 1954, they established their first “commercial division” and, in the same year, began to focus on the residential market and produced their first home air conditioning unit. As production grew, Mitsubishi expanded its company and started operations in Australia in 1967. The following year, they released a wall-mounted room air conditioner and, in 2000, introduced Inverter Technology. By 2009, Mitsubishi established its Energy Efficient Air Conditioning Systems to ensure optimal cost performance and is today considered one of Australia’s best air conditioning brands.
Mitsubishi Electric’s ducted range includes:
- Ceiling-concealed air conditioners (7.1kW-14kW). Boast a lightweight and low-profile design with a wide selection of fan speeds.
- Ducted air conditioners (10kW-14kW). Have a quiet operation with single-phase or three-phase power options plus high airflow due to high static pressure.
- Ducted air conditioners (10kW-14kW). Have a two-piece construction with single and three-phase power options.
- Ducted air conditioners (16kW-19kW). Offer single-phase or three-phase power options, and provide a supposedly high airflow due to the high static pressure.
- Ducted air conditioners (22kW). Have the largest heating/cooling capacity with a three-phase power supply.
Features include zone selection if required, and its air diffusers are available in different designs to suit your home décor, allowing for further personalisation. It is also possible to adjust the distance between the air intake and air outlet vents to create the optimal airflow configuration for your home.
To enquire about the best ducted air conditioning brands and what would best suit your home or business, get in touch with the expert team at Crown Power. Our experts will work closely with you to plan each stage of the installation process. This includes conducting a thorough assessment of your property, ensuring that the unit is sized correctly, and strategically installing it within regulations in a discreet manner.
References
- Kate King, 2023, What is the best ducted air conditioner? Canstar Blue
- 2024, Best ducted air conditioning brands in Australia, Smarter Air & Electrical
- 2024, Samsung, Polyaire
- 2024, Inverter ducted air conditioning, Toshiba air conditioning
- 2024, Ducted systems, Panasonic
- Phil Crawley, 5 benefits of ducted air conditioning, smarter air & electrical, Smarter Air
- 2024, About us, Daikin
- 2016, The history of Panasonic air conditioners, Makoair
- 2024, LG air conditioning, Air Options
- 2018, The history of Samsung air conditioners, Makoair
- 2016, The history of Fujitsu air conditioners, Makoair
- 2017, The history of Mitsubishi Electrics, Makoair
