Ducted Air Conditioning

Ducted air conditioning hides the indoor unit out of sight, usually in a loft or a ceiling void. Ducts carry the air to neat grilles in the ceiling of one or more rooms, so all you see is the grille and a controller on the wall. It is the most discreet way to cool and heat a room, but it needs space and planning, and it suits some homes far better than others.

We install ducted systems for homes and smaller commercial spaces across Lancashire, Cumbria, Merseyside and Greater Manchester.

How a Ducted System Works

A ducted system is a type of split system, with an outdoor unit outside as normal. Instead of a unit on the wall, the indoor unit is a slim, hidden box. It draws air from the room through a return grille, cools or heats it, and pushes it through insulated ducts to supply grilles in the ceiling. One indoor unit can serve a single large room or several rooms.

Like the other systems we fit for homes, ducted systems heat as well as cool.

Where Ducted Air Conditioning Works Well

• New builds, extensions and major renovations, where the unit and ducts can go in before the ceilings are boarded.

• Homes with a usable loft above the rooms to be served, such as bungalows and top-floor bedrooms.

• Rooms where you do not want any unit on show, such as a formal living room or a period-style interior.

• Open-plan spaces, where several grilles spread the air more evenly than one wall unit.

• Small offices, shops and treatment rooms with a suspended ceiling. See office air conditioning.

When It Is Not the Best Choice

• There is no loft or ceiling void deep enough for the unit and ducts, and you do not want to lower a ceiling or build a bulkhead.

• The rooms are on different floors with no easy route for ducts between them.

• You want each room controlled separately but do not want a zoning system (see below).

• You want the lowest-cost option. Ducted systems usually cost more than wall units for the same rooms, because of the ductwork, grilles and building work.

How Much Space Does It Need?

The slimmest ducted units are around 20 cm tall, but the space also has to take the duct connections, the drain and access for servicing. In a loft, space is rarely the problem. In a ceiling void between floors, it is the first thing we check at the survey.

• Insulated ducts. Ducts that run through a cold loft must be insulated, or condensation can form on them.

• Drainage. Many ducted units have a built-in pump that lifts the condensate water to a suitable drain.

• Access. You need a way to reach the unit and its filter, such as a loft hatch or an access panel, for cleaning and servicing.

Room-by-Room Control and Zoning

A single ducted unit has one thermostat. If it serves several rooms, they all get the same setting unless the system has zoning. A zoning system uses motorised dampers in the ducts to open and close the airflow to each room or area, so each zone can be controlled separately.

The alternative is a separate ducted unit for each room or area, either with its own outdoor unit or connected to a multi-split outdoor unit that serves several indoor units.

Ducted, Wall-Mounted, Cassette or Floor-Standing?

• Ducted: nothing on show but grilles. Needs a loft or ceiling void, more installation work and a higher budget.

• Wall-mounted: the lowest cost and quickest to fit, with the unit visible on the wall. See wall-mounted air conditioning.

• Ceiling cassette: sits flush in the ceiling with a visible panel and spreads air in several directions. See ceiling cassette air conditioning.

• Floor-standing: sits low like a radiator and is good for heating and rooms with sloping ceilings. See floor-standing air conditioning.

What Does Ducted Air Conditioning Cost?

As a guide, our multi-room systems usually range from £5,000 to £10,000+. The cost of a ducted system depends on the number of rooms, the length of the ducts, the space available, whether zoning is needed and how much building work is involved. We give you a clear written quote after a free survey. Our guide to air conditioning costs in the UK explains the main factors.

Looking After a Ducted System

The filter needs cleaning regularly, and the system needs servicing like any other. We recommend a service every year, or twice a year if you use the system for heating. See our air conditioning servicing page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ducted air conditioning the same as central air conditioning?

Ducted air conditioning is often called central air conditioning. Both use ducts to deliver cooled or heated air from a hidden unit to grilles in the rooms.

Can ducted air conditioning be added to an existing house?

Yes, if there is a loft or ceiling void that can take the unit and the ducts. Bungalows and top-floor rooms are often the easiest. Where there is no space, a wall-mounted, cassette or floor-standing unit is usually the better choice.

Is ducted air conditioning noisy?

The unit itself is out of sight, usually in the loft or ceiling void, so what you hear in the room is mainly the air moving through the grilles. Well-designed ducts and correctly sized grilles keep that low.

Do I need planning permission?

Usually not for a house in England, as long as the outdoor unit meets the permitted development limits. Flats, listed buildings and some conservation areas follow different rules. See our planning permission guide.

Call 01772 288651 or use the form below to book a free survey. We will measure the room, recommend the right system and give you a clear written quote.

Last updated: November 2026.