Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Perth WA
    Posts
    355

    Default Single Room Unit verses Ducted Air Conditioning

    Ya see these ads for fully ducted air conditioning systems (I’m referring to refrigerated/reverse cycle air conditioning).

    I question the energy/consumption efficiency $ running costs of a whole house ducted system against having a single room unit installed in each of the main rooms of the house.

    Now the ducted will do the whole house whether you are using the room/s or not and admittedly you can close off the vent if the room/s are not in use, but the unit is still being powered by one large horse powered motor.

    Where-as a single room unit is usually of a much smaller horsepower, and is only in use whilst the room is in use, thus giving greater control.

    To me the single room unit has got to be the more energy/consumption $ saving efficient.

    Its like comparing two cars, one with a 5lt engine and the other with a 1lt engine, with the 1lt being the most efficient.

    What are your thoughts and experiences?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Canberra
    Age
    48
    Posts
    318

    Default

    I reckon that one big unit will be more economical. But it depends on how many rooms you will run at any one time. If you are only running one at a time, the smaller units will prob be cheaper. But if you are running 2 or 3, I think the big bopper will be the way to go. And speaking from experience (ducted heating, not cooling), ducts are the way to go.

    Trav
    Some days we are the flies; some days we are the windscreen

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Port Pirie SA
    Age
    52
    Posts
    0

    Default

    Its like comparing two cars, one with a 5lt engine and the other with a 1lt engine, with the 1lt being the most efficient.
    Yeah thats true... but when the 1st real hill comes up the 1lt will strugle and suck heaps of fuel the 5lt will just putt up the hill using only slighty more fuel than being on the flat.
    ....................................................................

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    campbelltown NSW
    Age
    68
    Posts
    297

    Default

    G'Day,

    here at home we have 1 of each, ducted unit for the upstairs, split for the down stairs and a single unit for the family room(converted garage). We find running the two main units compliment each other and they are not running flatout all the time, but cycling less frequently as the temperature is more controlled and each unit is not as "stressed" as when used as a stand alone unit. What I mean by "cycling" is the fan is on more than the refrigeration as the air is more evenly cooled/heated through out the house, these are my thoughts and experiences, a fridge mechanic or the like may not agree!...
    savage(Eric)
    savage(Eric)

    Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Newcastle
    Age
    73
    Posts
    1,064

    Default

    Rod
    The more efficient system is the larger one

    Some points however to consider

    With a Split system will you Always have the door to that room closed, never leave it open when the unit is running

    Is the installation going to be unsightely pipes have to run to each evap unit , can you hide these in the walls

    Is running 3 x 2 hp units more efficient than 1 x 6 hp unit ? No

    Each unit has its own filter to clean

    Going from a cold room to a hot one,

    You cannot simply shut the vent to an indivdual room on a ducted system
    unless you want to spend mega bucks

    Inverter systems are designed to run more efficently

    Do you have room and axcess for a ducted system in your ceeling space, floor vents are not recomended for fully ducted systems

    What type of insulation do you have in your roof cavity

    How much do you want to outlay , single split system single room at 2.5 hp $2000
    total 3 bedroom house ducted $8000 to $ 10000


    Do you have 3 phase power most large ducted systems require this ( can be a good excuse to get it connected for those 3 phase tools you will need in the future)

    Do you realy live in your house or just one or two rooms

    Some split systems are better in bedroom , have the ability on sleep control to drop the temp 1 degree each hour

    Split systems also can have the thermostats in the hand control so that the desired set temp can be monitered where you are in the room , not just one setting for the whole house

    However if running cost is your critea go with the ducted system plus you also get the desired temp reached quicker, weather heating or cooling

    Initall cost then split system for only the rooms you use

    We have both as the extension I put on has a skillion roof so this section of the house is split system ( av room , family room, laundey and bathroom)
    and the rest of the house 2 bedrooms , dining, kitchen, study,Lounge and bathroom are ducted


    Hope this helps ( roll eyes )



    The trouble with life is there's no background music.



    Ashore

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    South Oz, the big smokey bit in the middle
    Age
    68
    Posts
    1,914

    Default

    I have a very cheap aircon here - I never turn the rotten thing on, sounds like a Jumbo's having kittens in the lounge :eek:

    Richard

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Oberon, NSW
    Age
    64
    Posts
    0

    Default

    One other thing with split systems: give some serious thought to where the header unit is going to be mounted!

    They really should only be mounted on external walls, to both minimise pipe runs to the compressor (external unit) and 'cos the header needs drainage!

    If mounted on an internal wall, a small "sump-pump" is normally used to pump the water into the ceiling cavity, thence into normal drainage. Unless prior allowance was made during wall construction. This pump's only the size of your cheap aeration pump for goldfish tanks... and doesn't last forever. If you don't pay attention and it goes *POOF*, the first you may know about it is the damp stains coming through the plaster.

    With a ducted system, the header is usually mounted directly onto a tray in the ceiling cavity, doing away with the need for the pump. If only they were as quick & easy to install as a split...
    I may be weird, but I'm saving up to become eccentric.

    - Andy Mc

Similar Threads

  1. Ducted Heating Air Filters
    By MF3106 in forum HEATING & COOLING
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 5th April 2005, 02:02 PM
  2. kelvinator room air conditioner
    By macklin in forum NOTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH RENOVATION
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 4th February 2005, 04:05 PM
  3. DIY ducted air con
    By jughead in forum PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL, HEATING, COOLING, etc
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 5th February 2004, 09:35 PM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •