For too long, most Hobart homes have made do with a heat pump in the lounge room and a couple of portable heaters scattered through the bedrooms. It works, sort of, but it’s never quite the same as stepping into a home that’s consistently comfortable from the front door to the back.
That’s exactly what a ducted heating and air-conditioning system delivers.
One system, quietly running in the background, keeping every room in your home at the right temperature. Summer and winter.
Whether you’re building a new home, renovating, or finally replacing that old ducted gas system, this guide will walk you through what ducted systems cost in Hobart, what affects the price, and what to look for when choosing a system and an installer.
Southern Air has been helping Tasmanian families get comfortable in their homes for years. Some of the most common questions we get asked about ducted systems are:
- How much does a ducted air-conditioning system cost in Hobart?
- How much does it cost to install ducted heating and cooling?
- Is ducted reverse cycle worth it in Tasmania?
Many families simply want to understand the rough costs before they get a quote and start planning. So let’s get into it.
Click here to learn more about our Ducted Heating Systems
How Much Does a Ducted System Cost in Hobart?
Most Hobart households can expect to pay somewhere between $10,000 and $25,000 fully installed for a ducted reverse cycle system. That’s a wider range than a split system, and for good reason. Ducted systems vary a lot depending on the size of your home and how complex the installation is.
Here’s a rough guide to help you find where you might land (based on approximate prices in 2026):
Small Ducted System – suitable for a compact home or apartment up to around 150m²: $10,000 to $14,000.
Medium Ducted System – suitable for a typical family home between 150m² and 250m²: $14,000 to $19,000.
Large Ducted System – suitable for a larger home over 250m², or homes with complex layouts: $19,000 to $25,000+.
These prices include the indoor and outdoor unit, ductwork, ceiling vents, installation labour, electrical work, and a controller. As with any significant investment, always ask for a written quote that spells out exactly what’s included.
Things to Consider When Pricing a Ducted System
The Size of Your Home
The bigger the home, the more powerful the system needs to be, and the more ductwork is required to reach every room. Getting the sizing right is critical.
An undersized system will struggle on the coldest Hobart days, while an oversized one costs more than it needs to and can feel uncomfortable to live with. A proper heat load calculation, where we assess your home’s dimensions, insulation, windows, and layout, is the right way to determine the correct system size.
The Condition and Layout of Your Roof Space
Ducted systems rely on your roof cavity to run ductwork throughout the home. A clear, accessible roof space with a good amount of room makes installation more straightforward. Older Hobart homes, particularly heritage or sandstone cottages, can present challenges with ceiling height or limited access, which can add to the installation cost.
Whether You’re Replacing an Existing Ducted System
If you already have a ducted gas heater or an older ducted system, there’s a good chance some of the existing ductwork can be reused or adapted. This can reduce the overall cost of the installation. We’ll always assess what’s there and let you know what can be kept and what needs replacing.
New Builds and Renovations
Installing a ducted system during a new build or major renovation is generally the most cost-effective time to do it. Ductwork can be planned and installed before ceilings go in, rather than retrofitted afterwards. If you’re in the planning stages of a build or reno, it’s worth getting us involved early.
Associated Electrical Work
Like split systems, ducted systems require a dedicated electrical circuit. Older Hobart homes may need switchboard upgrades or additional wiring, which can add to the overall cost. Worth understanding upfront so there are no surprises on installation day.
What Features Should I Look for in a Ducted Heating System?
Reverse Cycle: Heating and Cooling in One
A ducted reverse cycle system both heats and cools your entire home from a single unit. In Hobart, this is the one feature that’s non-negotiable. Our winters are cold enough that your system will work hard from April through to October, and having cooling available for those warmer summer stretches is a genuine bonus.
Zoning: One of the Biggest Advantages of Ducted
This is where ducted systems really shine. Zoning lets you divide your home into separate areas and control the temperature in each one independently.
That means the bedrooms can be warming up while the living area is still switched off. Or the kids’ rooms can be set to a different temperature to the master bedroom. Or you can simply turn off the zones that aren’t being used, rather than heating or cooling the whole house unnecessarily.
In a Hobart winter, zoning isn’t just a luxury feature. It’s a genuine way to reduce your running costs and get more out of your system every single day. A well-zoned home is a smarter, more efficient home.
Wi-Fi and App Control
Most modern ducted systems can be controlled from your phone. Set schedules, adjust temperatures before you get home, or turn zones on and off remotely. Some systems integrate with smart home platforms like Google Home or Amazon Alexa, which is worth asking about if that’s something your household already uses.
Energy Efficiency Ratings
Ducted systems are a bigger investment than a split system, so the running costs matter even more. A higher star-rated system costs more upfront but less every year to run. Over a 10 to 15 year lifespan, that difference adds up significantly.
Quiet Operation
Quality ducted systems are designed to be heard as little as possible. Think a gentle airflow from the ceiling vents, with the main unit tucked away in the roof space or outside. Premium units take this seriously, and it’s one of the reasons whole-home ducted comfort feels so different to living with multiple wall units.
Why We Recommend Daikin for Ducted Air Conditioning Systems
When it comes to ducted heating and air-conditioning, Daikin is the brand we recommend to Hobart families, and it’s the brand we install.
As a Daikin Specialist Dealer, we know these systems inside and out.
Daikin manufacture their own components to tight quality standards, and their ducted range is built to perform reliably in climates like ours. Cold winters, variable conditions, and systems that need to work hard for months at a time.
The Daikin Ducted Reverse Cycle range is available in a variety of capacities to suit homes of all sizes. They’re known for being energy efficient, whisper-quiet, and packed with smart features, including excellent zoning capabilities and a sleek wall-mounted touch controller that lets you manage every zone in your home from one central panel. You can set temperatures room by room, create schedules, and control the whole system with ease. It’s one of those things you’ll wonder how you lived without.
Daikin also back their products with strong warranty coverage, and as your local Daikin Specialist Dealer, Southern Air provides ongoing service and support right here in Hobart. If something ever needs attention, you’re not waiting on a call centre. You’re calling us.
Yes, Daikin sits at the premium end of the market.
But for a whole-home system that you’ll rely on every single day for the next 15 years, it’s an investment that makes sense. In our experience, the families who choose quality upfront are the ones who are still happy with their decision a decade later.
How to Choose the Right Ducted System Installer in Hobart
A ducted system is one of the most significant investments you’ll make in your home. Choosing the right installer matters just as much as choosing the right system.
Are They Properly Licensed?
In Tasmania, installers must hold both a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning licence and an Electrical licence. Always ask, or check the Service Tasmania licence register before any work begins.
Do They Provide a Written Quote?
A reputable company will provide a detailed written quote covering the brand and model, the system capacity, the number of zones, what’s included in the installation, and the warranty terms. If the quote is vague or verbal only, that’s a red flag.
Do They Carry Out a Proper Site Assessment?
A ducted system isn’t a one-size-fits-all product. Before recommending anything, a good installer will visit your home, inspect the roof space, assess your layout, and carry out a heat load calculation. If someone is quoting you without seeing your home first, be cautious.
Do They Offer Warranty on Labour?
The unit itself comes with a manufacturer’s warranty. Daikin offers strong coverage on parts and the compressor. A confident installer will also warranty their own workmanship. Ask about this before signing anything.
What Are Other Hobart Families Saying?
Check Google Reviews and local Facebook community groups. Ducted system installations are a significant job, and feedback from local families who’ve been through the same process is genuinely useful. Look for installers with a solid body of local reviews, not just a handful.
What About Running Costs?
A ducted system heats and cools your whole home, so running costs are understandably higher than a single split system. That said, a well-zoned, efficiently sized system can be surprisingly economical, because you’re only conditioning the areas you’re actually using.
For a typical Hobart family home, expect to budget somewhere in the range of $1,500 to $3,500 per year in electricity running costs, depending on your home’s size, insulation, how many zones you run, and how often the system is in use.
The families who get the most out of their ducted systems are the ones who use zoning well. Heating the bedrooms an hour before bed, switching off unoccupied areas during the day, and setting schedules so the home is comfortable when they need it, not running flat out all day.
The Bottom Line
A ducted heating and air-conditioning system is the most complete comfort solution available for a Hobart home. One system, every room, summer and winter. And with smart zoning, more control and efficiency than most families expect.
Prices typically range from $10,000 for a smaller home through to $25,000 or more for a larger property with a complex layout. For most Hobart families, a Daikin ducted system, properly sized and installed by a licensed local team, is an investment that pays off in comfort and reliability for many years to come.
Take your time, get a proper quote, and make sure whoever you choose actually visits your home before recommending a system.
We’d love to help. Get in touch with the Southern Air team for an obligation-free assessment.