Ducted Air Conditioning: Whole-Home Cooling Explained

Ducted air conditioning (also called concealed or ductwork air conditioning) hides the indoor unit out of sight, usually in a loft, ceiling void or bulkhead. Instead of wall-mounted units in each room, cooled or warmed air is carried through insulated ducts to neat ceiling grilles in every room. The only visible parts are slim grilles and a wall controller.

Like all modern air conditioning, a ducted system is a reverse-cycle air-to-air heat pump, so it heats in winter as well as cooling in summer. It is the premium choice for homeowners who want whole-home climate control without any visible indoor units. See how it compares with other options on our system types page.

The main attraction is aesthetics and quietness. With no wall units, ducted systems suit period homes, high-end renovations and open-plan living where wall units would spoil the look. The fan unit is tucked away, so the living space stays whisper-quiet.

The trade-offs are cost, disruption and space. Ducted systems are the most expensive type and are far easier to fit during a renovation, new build or loft conversion than to retrofit into a finished home. You need somewhere to route the ducts, typically a loft or generous ceiling void. Zoning (controlling rooms independently) is possible but adds cost. For homes where these constraints don't fit, a multi-split often makes more sense.

Ducted whole-home systems typically cost £6,000–£20,000 installed, with the spread driven by the number of rooms, the size of the property, the ductwork complexity and whether the work coincides with a renovation. In Surrey and the South East, expect figures around 10–20% above the UK average.

Because it is a larger investment, ducted systems are a common candidate for spreading the cost. We offer FCA-regulated finance through Phoenix Financial (subject to status), and you can spread the cost with our finance options. For full breakdowns by system type see our cost guide, and remember to budget for annual servicing at roughly £70–£120 per indoor unit per year.

Ducted air conditioning is the best fit if you are building, extending or substantially renovating, want a completely concealed system, and have loft or ceiling void space to route the ductwork. It is less practical as a retrofit into a finished, low-ceiling home, where the disruption can be significant.

Planning is worth checking early: the outdoor condenser still needs siting, and in conservation areas, listed buildings or flats you may need consent even though the indoor system is invisible. The best way to know if ducted suits your home is a site survey. Book one through our installation team, who cover Surrey and the surrounding area.