Ducted Air Conditioning Units

The indoor unit houses a powerful blower and evaporator coil, designed to push air through ductwork against a set static pressure.

Filters at the return side trap dust and particles. Higher-grade filters can be added for cleaner indoor air.

The HVAC ducting system includes supply ducts to rooms and return ducts or plenums back to the unit, made from GI sheet, pre-insulated panels or flexible ducts.

Linear slot, square or round diffusers deliver air into rooms, while return grilles draw it back. Their selection affects comfort, noise and appearance.

Dampers in the ductwork balance airflow between rooms so each space gets the right amount of cooling.

The outdoor unit contains the compressor, condenser coil and fan. Inverter compressors adjust output to match demand.

Wired controllers, room thermostats, zoning controllers and Wi-Fi modules give convenient control, scheduling and monitoring.

A ducted split AC unit (also called a ductable split air conditioner or split ducted air conditioner) pairs a concealed indoor unit with a separate outdoor unit. Capacities typically range from 1.5 to 20 ton, making it the most common ducted AC for home and office use.

Packaged units combine the compressor, coils and blower in one cabinet placed on the roof or floor, with ducts running to the conditioned area. They suit large halls, showrooms, factories and commercial floors.

An inverter ducted air conditioner varies compressor speed to match the load, saving energy and maintaining steady temperatures. It is ideal for homes and offices with changing occupancy.

VRF ducted indoor units connect to a central VRF outdoor system. Each ducted unit serves a zone or group of rooms, while the building shares one efficient outdoor plant, which is common in corporate offices, hotels and premium residences.

In buildings with a central chiller plant, ducted fan coil units use chilled water to cool the air. They are used in malls, hospitals, IT parks and large commercial complexes.

Zoned systems use motorised dampers and room thermostats so one ducted unit can cool several rooms at different temperatures, switching off rooms not in use.

External static pressure is the resistance the blower must overcome to push air through ducts, filters, dampers and diffusers. It is measured in Pascals (Pa). Longer ducts, more bends and more outlets increase the static pressure needed.

Low static units, typically about 10–50 Pa, are slim and quiet. They suit short duct runs serving one or two rooms, such as a bedroom with an adjacent dressing area or a single cabin, and are often installed in bulkheads above wardrobes or corridors.

Medium static units (about 50–100 Pa) handle moderate duct lengths across several rooms. High static units (about 100–250 Pa or more) push air through long duct networks in large homes, offices, halls and commercial floors.

An undersized static unit leads to weak airflow and uneven cooling in far rooms. An oversized unit can cause noise and wasted energy. Our engineers calculate duct resistance and select the correct static pressure for every project.

• 1.5 – 2 Ton: One large room or a bedroom with an attached area.
• 2 – 3 Ton: A 2 BHK apartment or a small office with a few cabins.
• 3 – 5 Ton: A 3–4 BHK apartment, a penthouse floor or a medium office.
• 5 – 11 Ton and above: Villas, corporate floors, showrooms and restaurants.
• 15 – 20 Ton and above: Large commercial areas, halls and banquet spaces.

These figures are indicative for a 10 ft ceiling and normal load. Every ducted project needs a detailed heat load calculation.

• Number of rooms and zones: More rooms need careful airflow distribution and zoning.
• Occupancy: Offices, restaurants and conference rooms carry higher people loads.
• Glass area: Large windows and glass facades add major solar heat, especially facing west.
• Equipment and lighting: Computers, kitchen equipment and decorative lighting add load.
• Duct heat gain: Ducts passing through hot spaces add load unless well insulated.

Share your floor plan with Compress India for an accurate capacity and duct design proposal.

Ducts are sized for the right air velocity and volume to each room. A well-planned layout minimises bends and length, reducing pressure loss, noise and energy use.

• GI (galvanised iron) ducts: Durable and rigid, ideal for main trunk lines and commercial projects.
• Pre-insulated ducts: Lightweight panels with built-in insulation, offering fast installation and low heat gain.
• Flexible ducts: Used for short connections to diffusers, making fitting easier in tight ceiling spaces.

All supply ducts are insulated with closed-cell foam or similar material, with sealed joints. This prevents heat gain, condensation and water stains on the false ceiling, which matters especially in humid Mumbai.

• Linear slot diffusers: Sleek, minimal lines that suit premium homes and designer interiors.
• Square diffusers: Practical and efficient for offices and commercial ceilings.
• Round diffusers: Ideal for high ceilings and large open spaces.

A correctly sized return path, through a return duct or ceiling plenum, is essential. Poor return design causes noise, pressure imbalance and reduced cooling.

Correct air velocity, acoustic lining, flexible connectors at the unit and proper diffuser selection keep noise low in bedrooms, boardrooms and hotel rooms.

Motorised dampers open and close the airflow to each zone automatically, directing cooling only where it is needed.

Each zone gets its own thermostat, so bedrooms, living areas and study rooms can be set to different temperatures.

Smart controllers coordinate dampers and the indoor unit, adjust fan speed and allow app-based control and scheduling for each room.

A fresh air duct can be connected to the return side of the unit, bringing filtered outdoor air into the space. This is valuable in closed offices, conference rooms and apartments with sealed windows.

Ducted systems can accommodate higher-grade filters, such as MERV-rated or HEPA-type filters, to capture fine dust, pollen and PM 2.5 particles.

An ERV exchanges heat and moisture between outgoing stale air and incoming fresh air, bringing in fresh air while reducing the extra cooling load. It works as an efficient heating and ventilation system alongside your ducted AC.

Inverter ducted AC units adjust compressor speed to the actual load, cutting power use by up to 30–50% compared with fixed-speed units in homes and offices with varying occupancy.

Sealed joints, proper insulation and short duct runs through unconditioned spaces reduce leakage and heat gain, which can otherwise waste a significant share of cooling.

Ducted units are compared using EER, ISEER or seasonal efficiency figures. Our team compares these across brands and matches them to your usage hours.

Most modern ducted ACs use R32 or R410A. R32 offers high efficiency and lower global warming potential, while R410A remains common in larger ducted and VRF units.

Ducted units and ducts need a false ceiling with enough depth, typically about 300–450 mm depending on the unit and duct sizes.

Ductwork, insulation, diffusers and ceiling coordination make ducted air conditioning system price higher than wall mounted split ACs.

Poorly insulated or leaking ducts waste cooling. Correct design and execution keep these losses low.

Without zoning, all rooms served by one unit share one temperature. Zoning dampers solve this but add cost.

Ducted systems are best planned before false ceiling and interior work begins. Retrofitting later is possible but more complex.

Daikin ducted air conditioner models include slim low-static units for bulkheads, often called Daikin bulkhead units, as well as medium and high static ductable systems. Daikin ducted units and Daikin ducted split systems are widely used in homes and offices.

Blue Star is a leading name in ductable AC systems for commercial and residential projects across India.

Voltas offers dependable ductable split ACs and packaged units for offices, showrooms and halls.

Carrier ducted systems are known for robust performance in commercial and large residential applications.

LG ducted units offer inverter technology, multiple static options and smart controls for modern homes and offices.

Samsung ducted indoor units offer slim designs, inverter efficiency and integration with VRF systems.

A Mitsubishi ducted air conditioner is known for quiet operation and premium build, making it popular in luxury homes and executive offices.

Hitachi ductable ACs offer strong compressors and reliable cooling in high ambient conditions.

We work with your architect or interior designer before the false ceiling is built, finalising unit locations, duct routes, ceiling levels, diffuser positions and service access.

The indoor unit is placed centrally to keep duct runs short, often above a corridor, bathroom or wardrobe. A removable access panel is provided for filter cleaning and servicing.

Ducts are fabricated to the approved design, supported with hangers, sealed at every joint and insulated to prevent condensation and heat gain.

Diffusers are positioned for even air throw without draughts on beds, sofas or desks. Return grilles are placed to ensure smooth return airflow and minimal noise.

Drain pipes run with a proper slope and insulation to a nearby drain point. Where gravity drainage is not possible, a drain pump is installed and tested.

Copper pipes are sized to specification, fully insulated and routed neatly. The ducted aircon outdoor unit is placed in a ventilated location on a sturdy stand or bracket.

Dedicated power supply, correctly rated cables, MCBs or isolators and earthing are provided, along with control wiring for thermostats and zoning.

After pressure testing, vacuuming and gas charging, we measure airflow at each diffuser and adjust dampers so every room receives the right cooling.

Clean filters every 2–4 weeks in homes and more often in busy offices. Clogged filters reduce airflow to every room.

The evaporator coil and blower are cleaned 2–3 times a year to maintain airflow and efficiency.

Ducts collect dust and microbes over time. We recommend professional duct cleaning and sanitisation every 1–2 years, or more often in dusty or healthcare environments.

Drain lines, trays and pumps are flushed and tested at every service to prevent ceiling leaks.

Refrigerant pressures are checked and joints inspected. Any leak is repaired before recharging.

Inverter models, premium brands and high static units cost more. Ducted aircon unit price also varies with controls and zoning options.

The ducted air conditioner cost includes more than the unit. Typical elements are:

• Duct design and fabrication (GI, pre-insulated or flexible)
• Duct insulation and sealing
• Supply diffusers, return grilles and plenums
• Volume control and zone dampers
• Copper piping, insulation and drainage
• Electrical work, controls and thermostats
• Testing, air balancing and commissioning

Ductwork and installation are usually quoted per project or per square foot of duct area. We provide a clear, itemised quote so the total ducted cooling system cost is transparent.

• Total tonnage and number of units
• Number of rooms, diffusers and zones
• Duct material and length
• Static pressure required
• Inverter or fixed-speed units and brand
• Fresh air, ERV and filtration add-ons
• False ceiling access and site conditions