If your energy bills are climbing every winter and summer, you’re not alone. One of the biggest factors is how you heat and cool your home—and whether you’re using a split system or ducted heating and cooling.

So which one is actually cheaper to run? Let’s break it down without the jargon.

The Short Answer

Split systems are usually cheaper to run.
But ducted systems can make sense for some homes.

The right choice depends on house size, usage, and how you live, not just the upfront price.

Split Systems: Cheaper Day to Day

Split systems heat or cool individual rooms. You only run them where and when you need them.

Why they’re cheaper to run:

• You’re not heating or cooling the whole house
• High energy efficiency (especially newer inverter models)
• Easy to turn off unused rooms
• Lower power draw per unit

For most Melbourne families, this means lower daily running costs, especially if you’re only using a few rooms at a time.

Best for:

• Small to medium homes
• Families who use living areas and bedrooms at different times
• Replacing old gas heaters (big VEU rebates available)

Ducted Systems: More Comfort, Higher Running Costs

Ducted systems heat or cool the entire home through vents. They’re great for whole-house comfort—but that comfort comes at a cost.

Why they cost more to run:

• Larger system = more energy use
• Heating/cooling unused rooms unless zoned properly
• Higher standby and peak power draw

Zoning helps, but even zoned ducted systems generally cost more to run than splits.

Best for:

• Large homes
• Families wanting whole-house comfort
• Homes designed for ducting from the start

What About Upfront Costs?

• Split systems: Lower upfront cost, easier installs
• Ducted systems: Higher upfront cost, more complex installs

The good news?
If you’re replacing old gas heating, VEU rebates can reduce both options significantly—sometimes by thousands.

So… Which Should You Choose?

Choose split systems if you want:

• Lower running costs
• Room-by-room control
• Faster payback on energy bills

Choose ducted if you want:

• Whole-home comfort
• One system, one controller
• A clean, built-in look

There’s no “one-size-fits-all.” The cheapest system to run is the one designed for how you actually live.

Want a Clear Answer for Your Home?

We don’t guess—and we don’t push.

At Smart Upgrades, we:

• Check which VEU rebates you qualify for
• Compare split vs ducted using real numbers
• Show you a fixed price upfront

No cold calls. No surprises. Just clear advice.

👉 Book your free home check and find out which option will actually cost you less to run.

Think Smart. Save Big.