Ducted Air Conditioning and Concealed Units
Ducted systems hide the indoor unit in a loft, ceiling void or cupboard and deliver air through grilles.
Ducted systems hide the indoor unit in a loft, ceiling void or cupboard and deliver air through grilles. Nothing hangs on the wall, which is why it suits properties where appearance is the deciding factor.
Static pressure is the design constraint
Duct length, bends and grille sizing all resist airflow. A unit that cannot overcome the resistance becomes noisy and underperforms.
Access is not optional
Filters and drain pans need reaching. A hatch planned at design stage is far cheaper than one cut into a finished ceiling later.
Condensate in a loft
Often needs a pump and always needs a safe termination and, ideally, a secondary safety switch.
Planning a ducted installation
A concealed system needs space for the indoor unit, insulated ducts and a return-air route, not just room for small ceiling grilles. Check the depth and continuity of the ceiling void before ceilings are closed, and agree where each supply grille will direct air into the room. Access to the unit and a safe condensate route must remain part of the layout. New builds, loft conversions and extensions can offer an opportunity to coordinate this work with the building layout, but none is automatically suitable: beams, available headroom and duct routes can limit the design. For several rooms, discuss airflow and whether separate zones are needed before choosing equipment. Plan the outdoor unit and connecting pipework alongside the concealed indoor layout so the installation works as a complete air-to-air system.
To plan coverage across your rooms, explore whole-house air conditioning installation and what to prepare for an air conditioning quote.
Explore a concealed system
If wall units are not acceptable in your home, tell us about the void space and we will assess ducted options.
Questions we get asked
Is ducted quieter?
In the room, usually yes, because the fan is remote. The plant space itself is where the noise lives.
Can it be retrofitted?
In lofts and over hallway ceilings, often. Through a finished first floor with no void, rarely.
Does each room get its own control?
Only with zoning dampers designed in. A single ducted unit otherwise treats the served area as one zone.