In Queensland, ducted air conditioning costs between $8,000 and $17,000 fully installed in 2026, depending on home size, the number of zones, ceiling access, and the brand of system you choose. A 3 bedroom single storey home typically lands around $7,500 to $9,500, a 4 bedroom family home sits around $9,500 to $13,500, and a larger 5+ bedroom or double storey home can range from $13,500 to $17,000+. At ducted air conditioner quotes from AC Store, every package is supplied as a fixed price, so what you see in your quote is what you pay on installation day.
The Complete Homeowner’s Guide to Ducted Air Conditioning Costs in QLD
If you are weighing up ducted air conditioning for your home in Brisbane, North Lakes, the Sunshine Coast, Caboolture, Carindale or anywhere across Moreton Bay, the very first question almost every customer asks our team is the same. How much is this actually going to cost me? It is a fair question, and one that deserves a straight answer rather than vague price ranges that leave you guessing.
Ducted air conditioning is a significant investment in your home. It adds year round comfort, lifts property value, and runs more efficiently than running multiple split systems at once. The trade off is that the upfront cost is higher than a single wall hung unit, and pricing genuinely does change based on your home’s size, layout, roof access, the kilowatt rating of the unit, and the smart features you add. In this updated 2026 guide, the AC Store team breaks down the latest installed prices, the things that move the needle on cost, and real package examples we are quoting right now across Queensland.
Average Cost of Ducted Air Conditioning in Queensland (2026)
For most Queensland homes, you can expect ducted air conditioning to cost between $8,000 and $15,000 fully installed in 2026, with larger or double storey homes pushing higher. Pricing across the industry typically works out to roughly $500 to $1,200 per kW installed, and the unit size you need is driven by the square metres you are cooling, ceiling height, insulation, and how many zones you want to control independently.
Here is a quick view of what most homeowners are paying this year for a complete supply and install package, including ducting, outlets, zone motors, and electrical work.
Average Installed Cost by Home Size in Queensland (2026)
| Home Size | Typical Capacity | Number of Zones | Installed Price Range (2026) |
| Small home (3 bed, single storey) | 7.0 to 10.0 kW | 3 to 4 zones | $7,500 to $9,500 |
| Medium home (4 bed, single storey) | 10.0 to 14.0 kW | 4 to 6 zones | $9,500 to $13,500 |
| Large home (4 to 5 bed, single storey) | 14.0 to 16.0 kW | 5 to 7 zones | $12,500 to $15,500 |
| Executive / double storey home (5+ bed) | 16.0 to 20.0 kW | 6 to 9 zones | $15,000 to $22,000+ |
These figures include the outdoor condenser, indoor fan coil, all rigid and flexible ducting, ceiling outlets, the zone controller, the electrical connection, and a professional installation by our licensed refrigeration mechanics and electricians. At AC Store, what you see in your written quote is what you pay, with no surprise add ons after the work begins.
Real 2026 Price Examples from AC Store
To make this even more practical, here are some of the most popular packages our customers across Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay are choosing right now:
- ✅ 10kW LG ducted system, around $8,400 installed. A great fit for typical 3 to 4 bedroom homes with up to 4 zones.
- ✅ 12.5kW LG ducted system, from $8,900 installed. Suits medium family homes that want consistent comfort across living and bedroom zones.
- ✅ 14.8kW LG ducted system, around $9,699 installed with up to 5 zones and optional Wi-Fi control. Popular with growing families on bigger blocks.
- 15kW LG ducted system, around $12,833 installed. Built for larger homes
- that need 5 to 7 zones with strong cooling capacity in QLD summers.
All packages include zoning, professional installation by AC Store technicians, and premium LG inverter ducted systems backed by strong manufacturer warranties.
What Actually Affects the Cost of Ducted Air Conditioning?
No two homes are the same, and that is why two homes on the same street can receive very different ducted air conditioning quotes. Below are the biggest cost drivers our team sees on quotes every single week.
- Home Size & Layout
- The bigger the floor plan, the higher the kW capacity you need, and the more ducting and outlets the installer must run through your roof cavity. Two storey homes almost always cost more than single storey because of the extra ducting drops, longer runs, and additional zoning required to keep upstairs and downstairs balanced.
- Zones & Outlets
- Zones let you direct cool or warm air only to the rooms you are actually using. Most QLD homes are set up with 4 to 7 zones, but larger family homes often request more. Each additional zone means another motorised damper, more ducting, and more time on site, all of which add to the price.
- Roof Space & Access
- Easy roof access keeps installation labour down. Steep roof pitches, low roof cavities, second storey access, or tile roofs can all add labour hours, and that flows through to the final installed price. Brick veneer homes with timber trusses and a 2.4m to 2.7m ceiling are usually the smoothest installs.
- System Efficiency & Brand
- Premium brands like LG, Mitsubishi Electric, Daikin and Fujitsu cost more upfront than budget brands, but they typically deliver better energy efficiency, quieter operation, longer compressor life, and stronger warranty coverage. Over a 10 to 15 year ownership period, the cheaper unit is rarely the cheaper choice.
- Smart Controls
- Adding AirTouch 5, MyAir, or LG ThinQ Wi-Fi control increases the upfront cost by anywhere from $700 to $1,800, but customers love the convenience of running the system from a phone, plus the running cost savings from precise zone scheduling.
- Power Supply Upgrades
- Very large ducted systems (typically 15kW or higher) often require a three phase power supply. If your home only has single phase, your electrician may need to upgrade the switchboard, which can add roughly $1,000 to $2,000 to the project. We always check this during the on site quote.
Why Choose LG Ducted Systems with AC Store?
AC Store has been named LG Dealer of the Year, and there is a reason we install thousands of LG ducted systems across Queensland. LG offers the right balance of price, energy efficiency, and reliability for our climate.
- ✅ 10 Year Compressor Warranty – real peace of mind on the most expensive part of any ducted system.
- ✅ Whisper Quiet Operation. – designed to run softly enough that you can sleep through summer humidity.
- ✅ LG ThinQ Wi-Fi Ready – Schedule, zone, and monitor your system from your phone, anywhere.
- ✅ Inverter Efficiency – Variable speed compressors that ramp up and down rather than cycling on and off, which keeps running costs lower.
- ✅ Local Service – installed and supported by AC Store’s own teams, not a sub contractor you will never see again.
Local Pricing Across Queensland Regions
Pricing can shift slightly between regions because of travel time, local labour rates, and the type of homes that are common in each area. Here is what to expect across the suburbs we service most often, with sales and installation supported by our north lakes store, sunshine coast store, and Deception Bay warehouse.
| Region / Suburb Cluster | Small Home Range | Medium Home Range | Large / Multi-Zone Range |
| Brisbane (incl. Carindale, Aspley, Carseldine, Bridgeman Downs) | From $8,900 | $9,500 to $11,000 | $12,000 to $17,000+ |
| Sunshine Coast (Buderim, Palmview, Mountain Creek, Caloundra, Nambour, Maroochydore) | $8,000 to $9,500 | $9,500 to $11,500 | $12,000 to $15,000 |
| Moreton Bay (North Lakes, Caboolture, Burpengary, Rothwell, Deception Bay, Morayfield, Narangba) | $7,900 to $9,500 | $9,500 to $11,500 | $12,000 to $15,000+ |
| Hervey Bay and Fraser Coast | $9,900 to $11,000 | $11,000 to $13,000 | $13,000 to $15,500 |
| Gympie and Hinterland | From $9,000 | $10,000 to $12,500 | $13,000 to $15,500 |
Brisbane and Surrounds
Brisbane is our largest service area, and demand is strong all year. Most customers in the inner and middle ring suburbs choose mid range packages around $9,500 to
$13,500, with executive homes in the leafy western suburbs landing higher. Our ducted air conditioning brisbane team handles everything from quote through to commissioning.
Sunshine Coast (Buderim, Palmview, Mountain Creek, Caloundra, Noosa)
Average packages run $8,000 to $12,500 depending on zones, outlets, and roof access. Coastal homes often need stainless protected outdoor units near the salt air, which is something we discuss on every coastal quote.
Moreton Bay (North Lakes, Caboolture, Burpengary, Rothwell, Deception Bay)
Typical installs range from $7,900 to $11,500, with larger homes in newer estates pushing $12,000 to $15,000+. Moreton Bay is one of the busiest installation regions for AC Store thanks to the fast growth in family housing across the area.
Hervey Bay and Fraser Coast
Standard family homes typically sit around $9,900 to $11,000 installed, with larger Fraser Coast builds landing in the $13,000 to $15,500 range.
Gympie and Hinterland
Pricing starts from around $9,000, with the final figure depending on roof access, zoning, and the size of the home.
Ducted vs Multiple Split Systems: Which Is Better Value in QLD?
One of the most common questions our team is asked at the North Lakes, Kawana and Deception Bay warehouses is whether ducted air is actually better value than installing four or five split systems instead. The honest answer is, it depends on how you live and how big your home is. For a smaller 2 or 3 bedroom home where you
only really need to cool one or two rooms, a couple of well chosen split systems can be the cheaper and simpler option. For a 4+ bedroom family home where you want consistent comfort across living, kitchen, master bedroom and kids bedrooms, a single ducted system with smart zoning almost always wins on aesthetics, resale value, and per kW efficiency. There is also no second outdoor unit cluttering up the side of the house, which matters in tighter modern blocks.
Running Costs: What Will Ducted Air Con Add to Your Power Bill?
Installation is one part of the picture, but customers also want to know what running ducted air conditioning will cost them every month. The answer comes down to your kW rating, your zoning habits, and your local electricity tariff. As a rough guide for Queensland homes in 2026, expect running costs of around $0.45 to $1.20 per hour for a medium ducted system on a moderate day, and higher during heatwaves when the compressor works harder. Smart zoning, setting cooling to 23 to 25 degrees, and only conditioning the rooms you are actually using can cut running bills by up to 40 percent compared with running a system at full capacity across the whole home.
If long term running costs are a priority for your household, ask the AC Store team about high efficiency LG, Mitsubishi Electric and Daikin inverter models, and consider pairing them with rooftop solar so daytime cooling effectively runs for free. Many of our Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay customers offset 60 to 90 percent of their summer ducted running costs with a properly sized solar setup.
Flexible Finance Options
We know ducted air conditioning is a meaningful investment, which is why AC Store offers 6 to 60 months interest free finance (T&Cs apply). Customers love being able to enjoy a comfortable home this summer and spread the cost across manageable monthly payments rather than waiting another year to install.
How to Get an Accurate Ducted Air Conditioning Quote
Online price ranges are useful for budgeting, but the only way to get a true price is an on site assessment. Our team will look at your roof cavity, switchboard, room layout, ceiling height, insulation, and the zoning configuration you actually want, and then give you a fixed written quote. There is no obligation to proceed, and quoting is free across all of our service regions. We can also book a service on your existing system at the same time if it has been more than 12 months since your last check up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How long does a ducted air conditioning installation take?
Most ducted installations are completed in 1 to 2 days, depending on the size of the home, roof access, and any switchboard upgrades required. Larger double storey homes with extra zoning can occasionally extend into a third day. Our team always confirms the timeline with you before installation day.
Q2: How often should a ducted system be serviced in Queensland?
We recommend a professional service every 12 months. Queensland’s humidity, dust, and pollen put extra load on filters and coils, and a yearly clean keeps efficiency high, electricity bills lower, and protects your manufacturer warranty.
Q3: What temperature should I set my ducted air conditioner to?
For best efficiency in Queensland, set cooling between 23 to 25 degrees in summer and heating between 19 to 21 degrees in winter. Every degree cooler in summer can add roughly 10 percent to your running cost, so small changes make a real difference.
Q4: Is ducted air conditioning more expensive to run than split systems?
Not necessarily. A modern inverter ducted system with smart zoning is often cheaper to run than three or four split systems operating at the same time, because you are only conditioning the rooms you are actually using. The key is using zones properly and choosing a high efficiency LG, Mitsubishi Electric, Daikin, or Fujitsu system.
Q5: Can I add zones to my ducted system later if my needs change?
In some cases, yes, additional outlets and zones can be added if the indoor unit has spare capacity and the ducting layout allows it. The easiest path is to have your installer plan for future zones at the original install. AC Store always discusses zoning requirements during the on site quote so the system grows with your home.
Get a Free Quote Today
Ducted air conditioning is one of the best investments you can make in your home’s comfort, energy efficiency, and resale value. At AC Store, we make the process simple with fast quotes, professional installation, fixed pricing, and local service backed by our own technicians, not unknown sub contractors.
Call 1800 WE DO AC (1800 933 622) today, or request a free online quote for ducted air conditioning in Brisbane, North Lakes, the Sunshine Coast, Carindale, Caboolture, Hervey Bay, Gympie, and across Moreton Bay.
Request your free ducted air conditioner quote →
🔑 Key Service Areas
Ducted air conditioning cost QLD, ducted air conditioning Brisbane cost, Sunshine Coast ducted aircon price, ducted air conditioning Hervey Bay cost, ducted air con installation Moreton Bay, North Lakes ducted air conditioning, Caboolture ducted air, Carindale ducted air, Burpengary ducted air, Caloundra ducted air, Palmview ducted air, Buderim ducted air, Mountain Creek ducted air, Nambour ducted air, Maroochydore ducted air, Bridgeman Downs ducted air, Aspley ducted air, Carseldine ducted air.