While New Zealand’s long hot summers are one of the best things about living in this country, sometimes it is nice to get away from the heat. This is where ducted air conditioning from Element Air comes in, cooling every room in your house so you can escape into a beautifully cool home.
Although split system air conditioners are incredible machines, they only service one room or living space–what about the other parts of your home? When it’s blistering hot outside or freezing cold, how are you supposed to sleep comfortable if your AC only services the living room?
Ducted air conditioning is teeming with benefits for you and your family, but some might wonder how it works or if it’s too expensive. Let’s investigate:
Ducted air conditioning is one of the best ways to cool your home. A hidden, powerful unit sends cool air to every room in your house through ceiling or floor vents, so you don’t have to worry about big bulky units on your walls.
With Element Air, you will get a ducted air conditioning system that is custom-designed specifically for your home. That includes outlets being placed in the best position possible in every room, and a central air conditioning unit that has great performance while still being affordable. You’ll also be able to connect it to wifi so you can manage it using just your phone (in addition to the regular remote control).
We aim to differentiate ourselves from the competition by offering a personal touch throughout the entire process, from your first meeting with one of our ducted aircon specialists at your kitchen table, to installation and after-sales service. You’ll only ever deal with experienced Element Air staff–that’s our guarantee!
Once your system is installed, you’ll experience the best sleep of your life! You’ll finally be able to say goodbye to sticky, humid nights and hello to fresh mornings. Not only that, but you won’t have to worry about leaving windows open for ventilation at night – meaning less street noise and increased security.
So What is Ducted Air Conditioning?
Ducted Air Conditioning Systems provide whole-home climate control by adding an outdoor compressor and a centralized indoor unit installed in the ceiling or under the floor. A series of concealed air ducts span from the central unit to vents around your home, providing cool or warm airflow as desired.
Ducted air conditioners usually have reverse cycle technology, which means it can both heat and cool your home. The temperature is controlled by a wall-mounted thermostat, with some updated models also having the ability to manage airflow over Wi-Fi using an app.
How Much Does Ducted Air Con Cost Upfront?
Ducted air conditioning is the most effective form of climate control, though it does come with a heftier price tag. In addition to the central unit and outdoor compressor, you’ll need to account for air ducts, wiring, drainage, labour costs, and potentially removing an existing system.
Ducted air conditioning is an investment that offers immediate returns. The price of a system will always vary from home-to-home, so it’s best to get a fixed price quote for the ductwork. That way, you know exactly what the final cost will be and can budget accordingly without being surprised by hidden fees later on.
How Much Does Ducted Air Conditioning Cost to Run?
There are several cost factors to consider when running a ducted air conditioning system, including the type and size of the system, its energy rating, the size of your home, operating temperature and local electricity tariffs. It is estimated that the average household can add up to $500 a year to existing electricity costs based on a 6kW output operating for 80 hours per three months. Cost calculations can be worked out by the energy rating of your appliance, however, ducted air conditioning does not carry this information.
This is how you calculate the maximum running costs of a ducted air conditioning system:
Step one: look for a printed label on your unit or an online description that states the air conditioner’s kilowatt usage per hour (kWh).
Step two: have a look at your most recent electricity bill, there should be a section that reveals what you are being charged per kilowatt.
Step three: multiply the air conditioner’s kilowatt usage by the kWh price to learn what you would pay per hour.
You can use this number to estimate daily usage costs based on how many hours you expect to run the air conditioner. Then take this data further to estimate quarterly and annual running costs. Consider that there’s a difference between peak and off-peak energy prices and that cooling uses more energy than heating.
The Benefits of Switching to Ducted
Ducted systems have a great reputation for being worth the investment, and rightfully so. There are many benefits that make the initial price seem insignificant in comparison.
Climate Control for the Entire Home
Ducted air conditioning provides airflow to bedrooms, dining rooms, home offices, and any other areas beyond the central living space that you desire. For example, a Mitsubishi Electric ducted air conditioner with a 12.5 kW output can cool up to 8 zones or rooms at the same time.
Zoning Increases Energy Efficiency
By utilizing zoning with your ducted system, you have the ability to customize the temperature and airflow of each room in your home. You can shut down zones altogether to conserve energy or adjust the cooling and heating of each room individually using the thermostat. This way, you can choose to heat just the living room and master bedroom in winter or cool rooms that get direct sunlight during summertime. Add alluring airflow throughout every room when extended family comes over – it might help keep squabbles at a minimum!
Less to Run Than You Think
You can save money on your air conditioning bill by using zoning and only treating necessary rooms at any one time. Additionally, Element Air suggests that you should never set your thermostat below 24 degrees to avoid wasting energy. Even using the air conditioner for an hour less each day can save you money per year. Other ways to reduce the costs of air conditioning include ceiling insulation, double-glazed windows, curtains, and planting trees for shade.
Ducted is Aesthetically Pleasing
Ducted air conditioning systems are much more subtle and harder to spot than split systems, which can often stick out and disrupt the look of your home. With ducted AC, the only things visible inside are small vents that can be styled to match your décor. The thermostat will also come in modern designs that fit in with your other smart technology. You can have a comfortable house without sacrificing style.
Mitsubishi Electric Ducting Brand Benefits
Don’t mistake us for your local car dealership. Mitsubishi Electric provides both comfort and convenience to homeowners with its expansive range of ducted air conditioners. Some examples of what our range includes are low profile systems perfect for tight ceiling spaces, models with built-in dehumidifiers, and systems that deliver an impressive output up to 22 kW cooling capacity and 25 kW heating capacity.
Some of the other benefits that come with Mitsubishi Electric systems are their quiet operation and energy-saving features. The flexible ducts ensure that the system will be a perfect fit for any home, and upgrading to a zone controller is recommended. Zone control can provide 4 to 8 individually managed zones, so everyone in the house can have their own personal preferences met.
Is Ducted Air Conditioning Worth it?
Deciding on the right air conditioning solution for your home can be tough, but if you want the best of the best, ducted air conditioning is it. Obviously, there are some drawbacks like high initial costs but when you compare that to all of the benefits and ways to save money in the long run, it’s really not that bad. So if you’re stuck trying to decide between different types of AC systems, go with ducted!
About Element Air
When choosing the right air conditioning system for your home, Element Air has you covered. Our ducted air conditioning systems offer upfront costs and low running costs, while providing a central outdoor unit to ensure optimal cooling and heating throughout your entire home. Enjoy reliable comfort with our comprehensive range of ducted air conditioning solutions.
