What’s the best option for cooling the whole home?

Ducted systems are designed for full-home coverage, with consistent airflow and the ability to cool multiple rooms at once.

Which system is more energy-efficient?

For one or two rooms, split systems are generally more efficient because there’s no energy loss through ductwork. For larger homes, a well-zoned ducted system can also be efficient if you’re regularly cooling multiple areas.

Can I control temperatures in different rooms?

Yes. Split systems offer individual room control. Ducted systems with zoning allow you to set temperatures by zone or room from a central panel.

How long does installation take?

Split systems can often be installed within a few hours. Ducted systems typically take at least a full day and involve more complex setup.

What does each system look like once installed?

Split systems are visible wall-mounted units. Ducted systems are hidden in the ceiling, with only discreet vents showing.

Air Conditioner
Buying Guide

Finding the right air conditioner for your home should be simple.

In just a few steps, this guide will help you match the best system to your rooms, budget, and lifestyle - so you can enjoy year-round comfort without the guesswork.

Step 1: Choose by Room Count or Home Size

Do you want AC for a single room, or a cooling and heating solution for your whole house?

For One or Two Rooms

If you're cooling a single space like a bedroom, study, or lounge a Wall mounted split system or Multi head split system is typically the best option. These units are compact, cost-effective, and easy to install. To choose the right size, you'll need to know the room’s square metreage and take ceiling height into account.

Use Our Split System Product Tool

For the Whole Home

If you're looking to cool multiple rooms or the entire house, a ducted system may be more suitable. The right setup will depend on your home's size, layout, and construction - factors like insulation, window size, orientation, and number of storeys all play a role.

Use Our Ducted System Selector

Step 2: Wall mounted vs Ducted split systems –
Key Differences

Which system suits your home better?

System	Best For	How It Works	Design
Split Systems	One or two rooms	An indoor unit mounted high on the wall connects to an outdoor unit	Compact and modern, visible on the wall
Ducted	Whole home	An outdoor unit pushes air through ducts	Only discreet vents are visible

Other Options

Multi-Split Systems- One outdoor unit powering several wall-mounted indoor units, ideal if you want to heat or cool multiple rooms without a full ducted setup.
Cassette Split Systems- Ceiling-mounted units with four-way airflow, perfect for open-plan living areas, offices, or restaurants where wall space is limited.

Step 3: Sizing Guide

Choosing the right size air conditioner helps maintain comfort and avoid energy waste. The way you size your system depends on whether you're installing a split or ducted model.

For Split Systems

Split systems are sized room by room. Use the guide below to estimate the capacity you may need based on the size of each space or use our split system selector tool
• A 2.5kW unit is ideal for small bedrooms or home offices (around 9–24m²).
• A 3.5kW unit suits medium-sized bedrooms (25–33m²).
• A 5.0kW unit works for larger bedrooms or medium living spaces (34–47m²).
• A 6.8kW unit is best for large living areas (48–65m²).
• An 8.0kW unit can cover open-plan living spaces (66–82m²).

* Room sizing is approximate only, there are many variables that will affect the sizing of your air conditioning, such as orientation, use of the space, dimensions of the space, construction materials, insulations, equipment in the space, etc.

For Ducted Systems

Ducted systems are sized based on the total area of your home or the zones you want to cool. Factors such as ceiling height, insulation, and room layout all affect what capacity is required.
To get an accurate estimation, use the Samsung Ducted Air Con Selector Tool or speak with a qualified installer.

* All sizing is approximate. Conditions like room orientation, window size, and insulation levels can influence final capacity needs.

Step 4: Budget and Installation

Single Split System Air Conditioners

Split systems are the most affordable and flexible option for cooling or heating individual rooms. Units typically range from under $1,000 to over $2,000, depending on capacity and features.
• Samsung offers professional installation starting from $749.
• Installation is usually quick and straightforward, with minimal changes to your home.
• You can use the Split System Selector Tool to find the right setup and view estimated total costs, including installation.

Ducted Air Conditioners:

Ducted systems are designed for whole-home comfort and come at a higher upfront cost. Unit prices generally start at around $2,000. The total cost depends on your home size, number of zones, and installation needs.
• Samsung offers competitive pricing on ducted installations, tailored to your home.
• Installation typically doesn’t take more than a full day but can vary depending the size of the home and complexity of the installation.
• Use the Ducted Air Con Selector Tool to get a personalised estimate based on your layout.

*Professional installation is recommended for all systems to ensure performance, safety, and warranty protection.

Step 5: Features That Make a Difference

Samsung air conditioners come with powerful features designed to improve comfort, reduce energy use, and make control simple. Here are a few to consider:

WindFree™ Cooling

Even airflow without direct drafts.¹

SmartThings App

Remote control, energy tracking & geo-fencing.²

AI Energy Mode

Learns and adjusts to your routine.³

Digital Inverter Boost

Fast cooling with less energy use.

ECO Mode

Reduces power with temperature limits.⁴

Good Sleep Mode

Quiet, draft-free comfort overnight.

Freeze Wash

Self-cleans the unit with defrost cycle.⁵

Air Filtration

Captures dust, pet hair, and particles.⁶

Ready to Find Your Perfect Air Conditioner?

Choosing the right air conditioner doesn’t need to be complicated. Whether you're cooling one room or your entire home, Samsung makes it easy to find the system that fits your space, your needs, and your lifestyle.

Use the Split System Selector Tool
or Ducted Air Con Selector Tool to get a personalised recommendation based on your home. Or browse Samsung’s full range of split and ducted systems to explore the latest in comfort, smart control, and energy efficiency.

Whichever option you choose, you can count on Samsung for high performance, smart features, and trusted quality.

FAQs

What’s the best option for cooling the whole home?

Ducted systems are designed for full-home coverage, with consistent airflow and the ability to cool multiple rooms at once.
Which system is more energy-efficient?

For one or two rooms, split systems are generally more efficient because there’s no energy loss through ductwork. For larger homes, a well-zoned ducted system can also be efficient if you’re regularly cooling multiple areas.
Can I control temperatures in different rooms?

Yes. Split systems offer individual room control. Ducted systems with zoning allow you to set temperatures by zone or room from a central panel.
How long does installation take?

Split systems can often be installed within a few hours. Ducted systems typically take at least a full day and involve more complex setup.
What does each system look like once installed?

Split systems are visible wall-mounted units. Ducted systems are hidden in the ceiling, with only discreet vents showing.

Need fast answers to your Air Conditioner questions? Jump to any quick-tip article below:

What is a Split System Air Con

How to Choose the Right Air Conditioner Size for Your Space?

Guide to Energy Efficient Air Conditioners

¹ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air–Conditioning Engineers) defines “Still Air” as air currents at speeds below 0.15m/s which lacks the presence of cold drafts.

² SmartThings App stores user data, preferences and usage patterns in Samsung AI Cloud to suggest the most useful options.

³ AI Auto Cooling is activated using Auto mode with a WI-FI connection. SmartThings App and Samsung Account are required.

⁴Tested on the AR07T9170HA3 compared with Samsung conventional models, measuring the accumulated power consumption of Fast Cooling mode vs. ECO mode.

⁵ The Freeze Wash function can remove up to 95% of Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 on the surface of the heat exchanger. Tested on the AR09A9170HCN by Intertek Testing Services Korea Ltd, 24 March 2022.

⁶ Bacteria testing and results are for Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria.