Free tool
System comparison · split, multi-head, ducted, gas & evap.
Five options for climate-controlling an Australian home, and one is almost always right for your situation. Pick the systems you’re considering and see them side-by-side on install cost, running cost, zone control, lifespan and what they’re best for.
Pick 2-5 systems to compare. Currently comparing 3.
Wall Split System
One indoor, one outdoor
Cools?Yes
Heats?Yes
Install$1,800 → $3,500
Running$180-$600 / yr per room
Zone controlPer-unit (that room only)
Lifespan12-15 years
Best forBedroom, granny flat, living zone up to ~40 m²
Best inEvery suburb we install in
BrandsMitsubishi Electric, Kaden
Pros
- Cheapest install of any reverse-cycle system
- Simple, reliable, easy to service
- Doesn't need roof access
Cons
- One room only, three bedrooms = three units + three outdoor condensers
- Aesthetically visible indoors
Ducted Reverse-Cycle
Whole-home ducted cooling + heating
Cools?Yes
Heats?Yes
Install$9,500 → $18,000
Running$800-$2,500 / yr
Zone controlYes, Zonemate 4-8 zones
Lifespan15-20 years
Best forWhole-home solution for 3+ bed family homes with attic space
Best inOfficer, Berwick, Clyde, Cranbourne, new-build estates
BrandsMitsubishi PEAD-M, Kaden ducted, Zonemate zoning
Pros
- Seamless, no visible indoor units
- One system handles cooling AND heating for the whole home
- Property-value uplift on any home with ceiling space to duct it
Cons
- Highest install cost of any option
- Requires ceiling / roof cavity, retrofit into a single-storey slab-on-ground is expensive
- Zoning tuning is important, a badly-balanced 4-zone system is worse than three splits
Gas Ducted Heater
Winter-only whole-home heating
Cools?No
Heats?Yes
Install$4,500 → $8,500
Running$800-$2,000 per winter
Zone controlBasic (open/close dampers)
Lifespan15-20 years
Best forCold hills postcodes on mains gas that don't want reverse-cycle
Best inEmerald, Gembrook, Cockatoo, Beaconsfield Upper
BrandsBrivis Wombat + Buffalo, Kaden gas ducted
Pros
- Fast heat-up, big room reaches temp in ~15 minutes
- Same-footprint retrofit into most 90s-onwards homes with an existing ducted heater
- Doesn't need refrigerant handling licence to service
Cons
- Heating only, need separate cooling for summer
- Running cost rising as gas tariffs rise
- Not eligible for VEU rebate (the scheme incentivises moving OFF gas)
Wall Split System One indoor, one outdoor | Ducted Reverse-Cycle Whole-home ducted cooling + heating | Gas Ducted Heater Winter-only whole-home heating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cools? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Heats? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Install from | $1,800 | $9,500 | $4,500 |
| Install to | $3,500 | $18,000 | $8,500 |
| Running cost | $180-$600 / yr per room | $800-$2,500 / yr | $800-$2,000 per winter |
| Zone control | Per-unit (that room only) | Yes, Zonemate 4-8 zones | Basic (open/close dampers) |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | 15-20 years | 15-20 years |
| Best for | Bedroom, granny flat, living zone up to ~40 m² | Whole-home solution for 3+ bed family homes with attic space | Cold hills postcodes on mains gas that don't want reverse-cycle |
| Best in | Every suburb we install in | Officer, Berwick, Clyde, Cranbourne, new-build estates | Emerald, Gembrook, Cockatoo, Beaconsfield Upper |
| Brands we install | Mitsubishi Electric, Kaden | Mitsubishi PEAD-M, Kaden ducted, Zonemate zoning | Brivis Wombat + Buffalo, Kaden gas ducted |
| Pros |
|
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
|
| See our range → | See our range → | See our range → |
Rule-of-thumb picks
- One or two bedrooms: Wall splits are the cheapest and most flexible.
- 3-4 rooms, no ceiling space: Multi-head split with 4 heads.
- 3+ bed family home, has attic: Ducted reverse-cycle with 4-6 Zonemate zones.
- Hills postcode, mains gas on street: Gas ducted heater + a couple of splits for summer.
- Cranbourne / Clyde new-build on the flat: Ducted RC OR evap + gas ducted combo.
- Rental / short-term: Wall split in the main room, smallest capex.
Still not sure which suits you?
Send us the room count, orientation and budget. We’ll quote three real options from three different system types.