Is Ducted Air Conditioning a Worthwhile Investment?
Anyone looking to install air conditioning at home might quickly rule out ducted air conditioning. This form of cooling can be slightly more expensive than other types of air conditioning—meaning you might move it to the back of the line when it comes to your AC options. The upfront costs (particularly installation) may be somewhat higher, but it's really a case of getting what you pay for. On many levels, ducted air conditioning is simply the superior choice.
Central, But Inconspicuous
The air conditioning unit itself is fairly inconspicuous, and may not even be immediately visible—often hidden in a ceiling cavity to make its placement as central as possible, with a small outdoor component attached to an exterior wall. Ducted air conditioning is often referred to as central air conditioning because all your cooling originates from a centralised source. The relative complexity of installing a ducted air conditioning system is due to the ducts themselves.
Discreet Ducts
The clue is very much in the name of this type of air conditioning, and the unit feeds chilled air to each room in your home via its ducts. These are discreetly incorporated into the room, and look like small, mesh-covered rectangular openings, usually located high on the wall (directly beneath the ceiling). Other than these small outlets, there are few further indications that the room even features air conditioning.
Preferential Settings
The fact that each room in your home is supplied via an individual duct means that each room can have its temperature set to the occupant's preference. Put simply, you might prefer to sleep in an ice-cold room and can set your room's thermostat accordingly. Your children, asleep in the next room, might want things a little warmer, and the air conditioning unit can simultaneously cater to these differing needs.
Regulated Control
While you might opt to manually set individual temperatures, your unit can also be set to a timer—concentrating on cooling shared living spaces during daylight hours and only activating in bedrooms after a certain time of day. This type of regulation is by no means mandatory but allows you to get the most out of your air conditioner while still keeping an eye on your electricity usage.
Yes, ducted air conditioning might cost a bit more than its alternatives, but its comprehensive nature makes it a worthwhile investment. Not only do you get to enjoy the efficiency of the system, but it's the type of addition that can increase the resale value of your home.
For more information about ducted air conditioning, contact a local company.