Quick guide
How to identify your air conditioning system
Not sure what you’ve currently got? Use the cues below to work out which type of system is in your home. Match what you see to one of the four common types.
Ducted reverse cycle
Heats and cools
Slim vents (grilles) in the ceiling of most rooms, a wall controller with a temperature display and zone buttons, and one large fan unit outside.
How to tell
- Ceiling vents in several rooms
- A wall control panel you set a temperature on
- A single outdoor fan unit
- It both heats and cools
Ducted evaporative
Cooling only
Ceiling vents like a ducted system, but fed by a large box sitting on the roof, with a simple wall switch (on/off, fan speed, cool/vent) and no temperature setting.
How to tell
- A big unit mounted on the roof
- A basic controller (no temperature dial)
- You open windows or doors while it runs
- Cools only, no heating
Ducted gas heating
Heating only
Vents in the ceiling or floor, a heater unit in the roof space, a cupboard or outside, a thermostat, and a gas connection.
How to tell
- Vents plus a wall thermostat
- It only heats: there’s no cooling
- Runs on gas
Split system
Room by room
An indoor unit mounted high on the wall of a room, with a matching box outside, operated by a handheld remote.
How to tell
- A wall-mounted indoor unit inside the room
- A small outdoor unit for that room
- Controlled by a handheld remote
- One system per room (you may have several)
Still not sure? Pick “Unsure” in the estimator. We’ll confirm the details on a free, no-obligation site assessment.