By far the majority of all air conditioning systems installed in New Zealand homes fall into these three categories or types of air conditioners.
While most people traditionally are focused on heating, modern homes are more airtight than before and can become stiflingly hot in summer making an efficient ventilation or air conditioning system essential for comfort. So which type is best for cooling? Whether you’re upgrading your home or installing air conditioning for the first time in a new build, choosing between the different types of air conditioning systems can be a challenge. Each system has its pros and cons, and understanding these can help you make an informed decision.
For years, OneAir has provided expert advice to thousands of homeowners when choosing their heat pumps or air conditioners. We have collected feedback from hundreds of our customers on how they feel after each and every installation. In this guide, we’ll draw on that feedback and compare ducted and split air conditioning systems in detail, considering their features, costs, and the things they liked and disliked about their system, in the hope that some of these tips may prove useful in indicating which option might be the best fit for your needs.
What Are Ducted and High wall and Floor Console Air Conditioning Systems?
Ducted Air Conditioning Systems
A ducted air conditioning system (sometimes called a ‘Central air conditioning system’ involves a large indoor unit sitting in your attic or underneath the house that cools or heats air and distributes it throughout your house via a network of ducts. These ducts are concealed within walls, ceilings, or underneath floors, with vents or grilles delivering conditioned air to different rooms.
HIgh Wall Air Conditioning Systems
A High Wall (sometimes called ‘Hi Wall’) system consists of the indoor unit mounted on a wall close to the ceiling and an outdoor compressor unit. These systems are designed to cool specific rooms or areas and are a popular choice for smaller spaces.
Floor Mounted Air Conditioning
As the name suggests, these systems are mounted low down on the wall, often sitting on the floor or slightly above it. They are taller, but thinner than the high walls and can be recessed in the wall for an even slimmer appearance. Like the high wall, a floor console is designed to cool specific rooms or areas and cannot cool an entire multi-room house all by itself..
Features and Benefits of Ducted Air Conditioning Systems
Pros:
Whole-Home Comfort: A single ducted system can cool your entire home, ensuring a consistent temperature control across multiple rooms.
Discreet Appearance: With ducts hidden within ceilings or walls, the only visible components are the unobtrusive vents.
Zoning Capabilities: Modern ducted systems allow zoning, meaning you can control the temperature of individual areas to suit your needs and save energy.
Quiet Operation: The central unit is usually located inside ceiling cavities or underneath the floor, resulting in minimal noise.
Higher home resale value: Ducted systems are seen as a premium home comfort feature that will add to your home’s rental or resale price. As
Cons:
Higher Installation Costs: Ducted systems require significant labour and materials to install, making them more expensive upfront.
Complex Design and Installation techniques: While most people (typically electricians) are able to install high walls, ducted systems require airflow engineering and proper design to perform at their best. Ducted systems therefore are best installed by HVAC specialists who can design and select the correct materials and equipment based upon calculations as well as experience..
Energy Use: If not zoned, a ducted system can consume more energy than necessary by cooling unused areas.
Servicing: Since they cover a large area, ducted systems have large filters which require special cleaning, plus yearly checks for duct integrity. This adds to the cost of annual servicing compared to the high wall or floor console.
Features and Benefits of High Wall Air Conditioning Systems
Pros:
Affordability: As the most-common type of air conditioning system available on sale, high wall systems are generally the cheapest to purchase compared to any other type of air conditioner (other than a portable)l..
Energy Efficiency: High walls only cool the room or area in use, thereby keeping energy consumption down to a minimum.
Quick Installation: These systems are relatively easy to install and cause minimal disruption.
Excellent air conditioning performance: The indoor unit’s location high up on the wall is perfect since cold air goes down, which cools the room efficiently.
Easy/cheap servicing: Most homeowners can perform the majority of servicing tasks themselves, saving money on maintenance..
Cons:
Limited Coverage: A high wall single split system is designed for one room only, making it less suitable for whole-home cooling.
Visible Units: The indoor unit is large and bulky and protrudes out noticeably. For best performance, they are typically mounted centrally high up on a wall, making it highly visible. This may not be to everyone's liking, especially homes with a modern, sleek aesthetic.
Outdoor Space Requirements: If more than one room needs cooling and heating, a (single split) high wall will need a corresponding outdoor unit, which may take up space around your house.
Less effective heating performance: Because hot air rises, the indoor unit’s location high up on the wall requires the unit to forcefully blow the warm air downwards. Even so, an even temperature distribution is harder to achieve
Features and Benefits of Floor Unit Air Conditioning Systems
Pros:
Affordable Installation: As the the indoor unit is low down and often close to the outdoor unit, the amount of copper pipe (the most expensive material item in an installation) is reduced
Energy Efficiency: Floor consoles have higher heating efficiency than high walls, plus by being located low down, achieve their set temperature faster. Both reduce energy consumption in the critical winter months.
Quick Installation: These systems are relatively easy to install and cause minimal disruption.
Easiest/ cheapest servicing: Being located low down, no ladder is needed to clean filters of a floor console
Cons:
Limited Coverage: Like a high wall, the floor console single split system is designed for one room only or a small area, making it less suitable for whole-home cooling.
More expensive than High walls: Floor consoles cost more than a comparably-sized kW high wall. Depending upon usage, this may be offset by their greater heating efficiency as mentioned above
Visible Units may negatively impact interior design: The indoor unit is still rather boxy and noticeable which may not suit all aesthetic preferences. Even though it can be recessed, floor consoles cannot have furniture directly in front of them as it blocks airflow and increases the time needed to get the room to the desired temperature. This may not suit a room’s interior design plan with the floor console preventing the sofa for example from being in its preferred position within the room.
Outdoor Space Requirements: If more than one room needs cooling and heating, a (single split) floor console will need a corresponding outdoor unit, which may take up space around your house.
Key Considerations for Choosing the Right System
1. Size of Your Home
For large homes or open-plan spaces, ducted systems offer temperature control across all areas.
For smaller homes or apartments, split systems are often sufficient and more economical.
2. Budget
If you’re looking for the cheapest form of air conditioning, high walls split systems are the way to go.
For long-term investment and whole-home cooling, ducted systems are worth the higher upfront cost.
3. Aesthetic Preferences
If you prefer a clean, uncluttered look, ducted systems’ hidden design may be more appealing.
Split systems’ visible indoor units can detract from minimalist interiors.
4. Energy Efficiency
Both systems can be energy-efficient, but ducted systems require zoning to avoid cooling unused spaces.
Split systems are naturally efficient as they only cool the areas in use.
5. Installation Feasibility
Ducted systems are ideal for new builds or major renovations.
Split systems are easier to retrofit into existing homes with minimal disruption.
Summary Table: Pros and Cons
Making the Right Choice for Kiwi Summers
Here's a quick guide on when to choose which air conditioning system to purchase for your home.
When to Choose a Ducted System
You want seamless whole-home cooling with centralised control.
You’re building a new home or undergoing a major renovation and want it to future-proof its home comfort and to maximise its resale price.
You value a clean and discreet appearance.
When to Choose a High wall
You’re cooling a single room or small area.
You’re on a budget and need a cost-effective solution.
You want a low servicing cost
When to Choose a Floor console System
You’re cooling a single room or small area.
You use it mainly during winter and want the most energy-efficient system possible.
You want the lowest-possible servicing cost
Tips for Optimizing Your Air Conditioning System
Choose the Right Size: Ensure your chosen system matches the size of the area for optimal efficiency. Get a HVAC specialist to design and install a ducted system - do not allow non-specialists to do this.
Schedule Regular Maintenance: Regular servicing keeps your system running efficiently and extends its lifespan.
Use Smart Controls: Invest in programmable thermostats or smart home integrations to optimize energy use.
Seal Your Home: Minimize heat ingress by sealing windows and doors and using curtains or blinds during peak sunlight.
Which Air Conditioner Is Right For You?
Choosing between the different types of air conditioning system for your home depends on your specific needs, budget, and lifestyle. Ducted systems offer whole-home cooling and a sleek appearance, while high walls systems are the cheapest for cooling individual rooms. Floor consoles are the best for heating individual rooms and need clear space on the ground for them to work effectively.
Still unsure which system is best for you? Contact our team for expert advice and a no-obligation consultation. We’ll help you assess your needs and find the perfect cooling solution for your home.