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Where Can You Install Ducted Air Conditioners

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Where Can You Install a Ducted Air Conditioner? Ducted air conditioners are a premium solution, as they are concealed from sight in the ceiling void – the space between the roof of your home and your gyprock ceiling.

Residential Ducted Air Conditioner Installations

Since most residential homes and duplexes have ceiling voids, this is the most common place for us to install ducted air conditioning. However, if you don’t have a ceiling void, we can offer an alternative solution.

Nevertheless, having a ceiling void is an essential requirement for considering ducted air conditioning.

Ducted Air Conditioning Installation Northern Beaches Sydney

Ducted Air Conditioners Limitations

Although the most common, it is not always possible to install ducted air conditioning in all residential homes. Limitations may arise when dealing with raked ceilings, high ceilings, or flat roofs. Raked ceilings and flat roofs leave no ceiling voids, whereas high ceilings have limited space, but not enough for ducted air conditioning.

In such cases, a retro fit ducted air conditioning is not feasible. Instead we suggest an alternate solution, such as a multi head split system installation or a bulkhead air conditioning installation.

Ultimately, no matter the home layout or challenges presented, we strive to find a air conditioning solution that meets your needs.

As an example, a customer who inquired about a ducted installation eventually settled on a multi bulkhead split system installation after our free site visit. This suggestion achieved the desired result for the client – they got something that was concealed out of sight and the multiple units cooled their whole home.

In essence, we look beyond traditional solutions and think outside the box!

Sydney Split System Installation in a home that had Raked Ceilings

Residential Ducted Outdoor Unit Position

When it comes to the outdoor unit position, there are three options:

  • Ground level.
  • Overhead on brackets.
  • Up on the roof out of sight.

Of those, we would recommend ground level as it is usually the most affordable, safest, and creates the least amount of noise. Additionally the ducted outdoor units are governed by their size and weight and cannot simply be thrown up anywhere like split system installation.

We also take other factors into consideration, such as:

  • Making sure the unit is out of sight.
  • Low impact on access or space list.
  • Out of the weather as much as possible.
  • The type of home construction (brick veneer, double brick, or weatherboard).
  • The safety of the installers.

We strive to provide you with options that suit both your preferences and your budget. However, there can sometimes be limitations. To illustrate this, here are a few examples of ducted outdoor positions.

Northern Beaches Ducted Installation with Outdoor Unit Installed At Ground Level
Installed At Ground Level ($)
Ducted Air Con Installation Northern Beaches - Outdoor Unit Installed Above Head Height On Brackets
Overhead On Brackets ($$)
Ducted Outdoor Unit Installed on Roof Out Of Sight
On Roof Out Of Sight ($$$)

New Builds & Renovations

When it comes to new builds and renovations, the most important factor is getting us the plans as soon as possible.

To ensure a smooth installation, we proactively work together with builders and other trades, like carpenters, to plan out the installation in advance. We also communicate the necessary allowances to avoid costly rework and to help you achieve your desired outcome

There is no such thing as being too early so if you’re embarking on a new build or a renovation, do not hesitate to contact us today.

Ducted Air Con Installation Northern Beaches and Sydney Wide
New Build External View
Ducted AC Installation Sydney - Internal Unit Positioned In Ceiling Cavity In Advance
New Build Internal View

 

Apartments & Unit Complex Installation Requirements & Limitations

Although ducted air conditioning installations in apartments are uncommon, they can be a great solution, as they don’t take up wall space and maintain openness in an already small space.

They are rare because usually, only the top floor has a ceiling void. If you live on lower levels, a concrete slab separates you and the floor above leaving insufficient space to create a void.

Clients often think that they have a ceiling void because they have down lights installed in their ceiling; however, what they are actually seeing is a dropped ceiling for a modern finish, albeit one that creates a small void between the slab and the ceiling.

If you happen to live on the top floor, the quickest way to ascertain if you have a ceiling void is to look around for a manhole, which may be located outside your front door in the hallway. Therefore, if you find one, ducted air conditioning may be an option for you.

Alternatively, a more common solution for apartments is multi split system air conditioning installations.

Strata Compliance

When it comes to complying with strata regulations, we are well-acquainted with the process. Moreover, although each strata committee may have its own unique process, generally they request to know the same information: what will the installation look like; what impact will it have on neighbours; and whether it can be discreetly blended in.

Upon completion of the required forms and providing the Strata committee with a detailed explanation of the ducted installation, we typically receive approval to proceed.

Strata AC Installation – Five Star Google Review with Strata Approval
Mitsubishi 7.1kW Split System Air Conditioning Installation with Strata Approval and Outddor Light Installation for BBQ Area Five Star Google Review

We are authorised to install and maintain the world’s leading brands:

Ready performs general maintenance and emergency breakdown air conditioning services to Northern Beaches and Sydney customers. Our team of air conditioning technicians are licensed, fully insured and qualified to install Ducted Air Conditioners from the worlds leading brands including Panasonic, Mitsubishi ElectricDaikinFujitsu and Hisense.

What Our Customers Are Saying

Over 30 years of experience serving customers Sydney wide
Star Rating from Owen Mancell
30 April, 2026
The guys came over and found that my previous install was absolutely horrendous in examining it. They worked out a way to fit the new air-conditioner perfectly without any issues a brilliant job thank you so much Chris and Damien
Star Rating from Fergal Cott
28 April, 2026
Great experience. Very quick and professional. Kane did a great job.
Star Rating from Ally Bryan
16 April, 2026
The team showed up very promptly each day and did a magnificent job. They were lovely to have around worked very efficiently and cleanly and the job was done in record time.. I would definitely recommend them to anybody looking to have any kind of heating system put into their home.
Star Rating from Chris Mason
14 April, 2026
Cane serviced our A/C split head unit today in Narrabeen. Polite, clean, respectful, knowledgeable and was chill about our annoying puppy getting up in his grill. Very happy and highly recommend the team at Ready Electrical.
Star Rating from Peter Scrivener
28 March, 2024
Marcel and his team carried out the installation. They were on time, polite, explained what would be done and the time frame, and completed the work within that time. Removed all the rubbish, would recommend them for any AIRCON installation.
Star Rating from Sarah Collier
30 March, 2026
We recently had an air conditioner installed in our school canteen and were very happy with the service. The team was professional, arrived on time, and worked efficiently to get the job done with minimal disruption.The installation was neat and completed to a high standard, and they made sure everything was working perfectly before leaving. Great communication throughout and a smooth, stress-f…
Star Rating from Cats
17 March, 2026
Ready Electrical and A/C installed my a/c some years back and have serviced it since. Greg and his team are first rate and Kane who has done the past couple of service calls has been most professional and thorough in servicing the a/c system. I fully recommend them for a/c sales, installation and servicing requirements.
Star Rating from Lena Aizin
25 February, 2026
Troy, Renzo, Lino and Adam did an excellent job replacing internal and external units in our ducted aircon system. They were fast, efficient, didn’t leave any mess behind or break anything on the way. Well done, guys!
Star Rating from sue hill
4 February, 2026
Vey polite and good explanations from the guys. On time great communication