Ducted vs Wall-Mounted Air Conditioning

Wall-mounted units

The default for good reason: lowest cost, easiest installation, best efficiency per pound, simple filter access and quiet operation. Modern units are slim and unobtrusive in white or matte finishes.

The trade-off is that you can see it. For most people, high on a wall above head height, that is a non-issue.

Ducted systems

The fan coil hides in a ceiling void, loft or bulkhead, and air is delivered through slim grilles. Nothing visible except the grilles, which is why they suit renovations, loft conversions and high-specification interiors.

They cost more, need a void of adequate depth, need proper duct design to stay quiet, and require designed access for servicing. Retrofitting into a finished house is often impractical.

• Best appearance — grilles only
• Needs ceiling or loft void and duct routes
• Higher cost and more building work
• Service access must be planned in, not improvised

Ceiling cassettes

Cassettes sit flush in a suspended ceiling and blow in multiple directions. Common in offices, salons and shops, occasionally used domestically where there is a suitable ceiling void.

Excellent air distribution in square rooms, but they need real void depth.

Floor-standing and low-wall units

Useful under windows and in rooms where high wall space is limited, and they suit heating-led use because warm air is delivered low in the room.

They take up floor space and can be obstructed by furniture, so position needs thought.