Ducted vs. VRF Aircon System: What Are The Differences?

Ducted Air Conditioning (Ducted AC) systems and Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems are two types of air conditioning systems. Although both are extremely efficient, they serve different purposes. Their differences are most noticeable when looking at the area coverage, how much energy you intend to use, and spending cap. Let’s explore the differences between these systems so that you can make better decision. 

 

What is a Ducted Air Conditioning System

Ducted AC systems are a type of air conditioning unit that cools whole houses or large commercial spaces. It incorporates a network of ducts, typically located in the ceiling, to ensure that conditioned air is blown into different parts of the building. The system has a central unit that produces cool air which is then sent through ducts into different rooms via vents.

What is a VRF Air Conditioning System?

A VRF system, or Variable Refrigerant Flow, is a type of air conditioner that controls the refrigerant flow to indoor units for each zone according to their cooling requirements. This makes multi-zone conditioning systems more versatile and energy efficient. VRF is commonly found in commercial buildings, but is also present in large residential houses.  

Table of comparison – Ducted Vs VRF System

Feature	Ducted AC System	VRF System
Cooling Method	Centralized air cooling via ducts	Individual refrigerant flow to each unit
Energy Efficiency	Consumes more energy when cooling large spaces	Highly energy-efficient with zoning capabilities
Installation Cost	High due to ductwork and central unit	Higher upfront cost but no extensive ductwork required
Aesthetics	Hidden ductwork, no visible units	Small, discreet indoor units in each zone
Zoning	Possible with advanced systems but limited flexibility	Highly customizable and flexible zoning
Operation Noise	Generally quiet due to centralized unit placement	Quiet operation with localized units
Maintenance	Less frequent but requires professional help for duct cleaning	Requires skilled technicians for regular maintenance
Best For	Large open spaces, entire home cooling	Multi-zone cooling for homes or offices
Scalability	Limited scalability once installed	Easily scalable with additional indoor units

Difference Between VRF and Ducted Aircon System

Below are the major differences between these two aircon systems:

1. Method of Cooling

Ducted AC System: Ducted air conditioning has a central cooling unit which uses duct-network to mechanically distribute air through the ceiling or wall. It provide a set of vents around the building to supply hot or cooled air, thus cooling or heating the space evenly.

VRF System: In VRF systems the flow of the refrigerant is changed to the selected indoor unit. Each and every unit is meant for cooling or heating a certain zone. This enables set point temperatures for diverse zones based on their requirements.

Comparison:  

• Ducted AC: Centralized cooling for entire space.  
• VRF: Higher flexibility individual cooling per zone.

2. Energy Efficiency

Ducted AC System: Newer ducted systems have zoning features, but their energy usage is still high because the system cools or heats entire zones regardless of whether all areas are occupied or not.

VRF System: The reason VRF systems are very energy efficient is that they supply refrigerant to each indoor unit proportional to the cooling demand. 

Comparison:

• Ducted AC: Used for larger spaces with increased energy usage.
• VRF: Best energy efficiency as cooling is customized by zone.

3. Cost of Installation

Ducted AC System: The installation cost of ducted systems is high because it involves integrating complex ductwork. Costs also depend on the building and its ducting system.

VRF System: The advanced technology and separate indoor units result in higher initial costs for VRF systems. However, with less ductwork to deal with, these systems are easier to install.

Comparison:

• Ducted AC: Increased costs because of ductworks installation.
• VRF: More expensive equipment but easier to install because there’s no ducting needed.

4. Aesthetics

Ducted AC System: There are no visible units within the rooms for a ducted AC system. This is because the ducts are placed in the walls or ceilings, giving a smooth and clean look.

VRF System: Each zone has small indoor units that can be easily seen. They are usually on the floor or the ceiling, but can be designed so that they are less visible.

Comparison: 

• Ducted AC: Aesthetic advantage because the ducts are hidden.
• VRF: Indoor units are compact and discreet, but still visible. 

5. Zoning Capabilities 

Ducted AC System: Zoning ducted systems is possible, but not that practical. Modern ducts can allow for multiple zones to be set to different temperatures, but changing the zones later may need more ductwork.

VRF System: Zoning is a primary feature for VRF systems. Each zone can be controlled separately, which means individual rooms or sections can be set to different temperatures. This provides flexibility and adaptability for spaces with diverse cooling or heating requirements. 

Comparison: 

• Ducted AC: Some zoning is possible, but flexibility is limited. 
• VRF: Great for buildings with different temperature needs, Advanced zoning options.

6. Noise Levels

Ducted AC System: Ducted systems are characterized by quiet operation. The central unit is often placed in a separate location, such as outside the house, in a utility room, or cupboard. Hence, the noise produced is far from living or working areas. 

VRF System: VRF systems also provide quiet operation because small indoor units produce minimal noise. Each indoor unit does create some noise, especially when fitted in multiple zones and running at the same time, so there is likely to be a soft hum from each indoor unit.

Comparison: 

• Ducted AC: Very quiet because of the outdoor unit located central to the system. 
• VRF: Quiet but may produce slightly more noise from individual indoor units.

7. Scalability

Ducted AC System: Ducted systems are not easy to modify as once a system is installed, changes and additions of new zones require more ductwork. That makes scalability limited. It is more suitable for spaces that have consistent heating or cooling needs over a long duration. 

VRF System: These are easily scalable. More indoor units, or units with extra cooling capacity, can be added as needed which makes these ideal for business or homes that may require more cooling in the future. 

Comparison:

• Ducted AC: Limited telescoping ability due to the fixed duct layout.
• VRF: Highly telescoping and suitable for spaces with evolving or expansion needs.

Which One Should You Choose?

For Residential Homes: If we consider an aesthetic value of a home, a ducted system does better than its counterparts. The system cools the house evenly and operates at quiet levels without indoor units being visible. However, if zoning control and energy efficiency are factors, one would prefer the VRF system. 

For Commercial Buildings: Office buildings and large commercial spaces with multiple rooms or zones needing different temperature settings tend to perform much better with ducted systems. Their flexibility and scalability make them ideal for businesses that may expand in the future. 

 

 

FAQs

1. Which system is more energy-efficient: Ducted or VRF? 

Generally, it has been observed ducted systems uses more energy. VRF systems use minimal energy by adjusting the flow of refrigerant depending on the needs of each zone.

2. Does each system enable heating and cooling functionalities?  

Yes, both ducted air conditioning and VRF systems provide both heating and cooling. Most modern systems are reverse cycle, which means they can alternate between heating and cooling.  

3. Does a VRF system require more complex installation than a ducted system?  

Yes. Unlike ducted systems, which rely on lots of ductwork, VRF systems are less difficult to install.

4. Which of the two systems provides a quieter operation?  

Both systems are quiet, but ducted systems may be quieter overall because the noisy components are in a centralized location.

5. Which of the two has a higher initial cost?  

In general, both systems have similar prices, although, in the long run, ducted systems may be less expensive to install. This is because there is less duct work needed.

 

Conclusion

When it comes to selecting a ducted air conditioning system and a VRF system, the best option will depend on the cooling specifications of your home or office, energy expenditure expectations, and financial capacity. Ducted system units have clean and centralized cooling air outlets while VRF units have excellent energy efficiency, flexibility, zoning, and cooling distribution control. Analyze the amount of space you need to control the temperatures, the number of zones that need cooling, and the importance of future expansion for your space in order to make an informed choice.