Key differences between ducted and split systems
Split and ducted systems solve the same problem — cooling a home — in very different ways under the hood. A split, or a multi-split when several indoor units connect to one outdoor unit, distributes air from each visible unit right in that room. A ducted installation, by contrast, hides the whole distribution network in the ceiling void and spreads air from a single indoor unit to several rooms through grilles.
Comparison table
| Criterion | Split / multi-split | Ducted installation |
|---|---|---|
| Building work | Minimal: fixing the units and running a refrigerant pipe. | Needs a ceiling void to hide the duct network. |
| Visible units | Yes, one or more indoor units visible in each room. | No; only the supply and return grilles are visible. |
| What it cools | Individual rooms, one per unit (or several with multi-split). | Several rooms at once from a single indoor unit. |
| Zone control | Independent: each unit switches on and adjusts separately. | The whole network shares one temperature, unless zoning such as Airzone is added. |
| Best for | Properties without a ceiling void, one-off renovations, expanding gradually. | New builds or full renovations, a finish with no visible units. |
| Maintenance | Filters, coil, drain and outdoor unit for each unit. | The same, plus grilles, dampers, and with zoning, sensors and the control unit. |
When to choose a split or multi-split
If you only need to cool one or two rooms — a bedroom, a living room — or the property has no ceiling void and you're not planning a renovation to build one, a split solves it with minimal building work. A multi-split lets you expand room by room, connecting several indoor units to a single outdoor unit, which also makes it easy to add coverage over time without changing the whole system at once.
When to choose a ducted installation
If you want to cool an entire property with a clean finish and no indoor units on show, and you already have or plan to build a ceiling void, a ducted installation makes use of that space to hide the whole air network and leaves only the grilles visible. On a full renovation, it's worth deciding before the ceiling design is finalised, since the duct layout affects how the available height is split between rooms.
Zoning: the difference you notice most day to day
A ducted system without zoning delivers the same air, at the same temperature, across the whole connected network: if one area is sunny and another shaded, there's no way to treat them differently short of manually closing grilles. Adding a zoning system such as Airzone lets each room be controlled independently, in a way similar to how splits and multi-splits work by default. You'll find the full detail in our guide to Airzone: what it is and how a zoning installation works.
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Maintenance: what changes between the two
The basic maintenance points are the same for both systems: filters, coil, drain and outdoor unit. The difference is in what gets added for each. On a ducted system, the check also covers the grilles and dampers, and if the system has zoning, the sensors and control unit. On a multi-split with several indoor units, each one is checked separately, though it's usually done on the same visit. You'll find the full detail by equipment type in our guide to AC maintenance on the Costa del Sol.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more efficient, a split or a ducted system?
There's no single answer: it depends on the unit's power, the property's insulation, and whether you're cooling only the rooms in use or the whole house at once. A multi-split lets you switch off zones you're not using; a ducted system with zoning achieves something similar room by room.
Can I have ducted air conditioning without building work?
No. A ducted installation needs a ceiling void to hide the air distribution network, so if your property doesn't have one, it has to be built. If that's not viable, a split or multi-split is the option with less building work.
Does a ducted system always come with Airzone zoning?
No, it's optional. A ducted system without zoning cools the whole connected area at once, at a single temperature. To control each room separately you need to add a zoning system such as Airzone.
Which one needs less maintenance?
A split has fewer parts to check: filters, coil, drain and outdoor unit. A ducted system adds the grilles and dampers, and if it has zoning, the sensors and control unit — though in both cases the check can be done in a single visit.