Systems
Air Conditioning Types
Supply, installation, maintenance and repairs.
Ducted, split, multi-head, bulkhead, cassette, VRV or package? Here is what each type of air conditioning is, where it suits, and how they compare, so you can work out the right system for your Gold Coast home or business.
5.0 from 292 Google reviewsSupply, installation, maintenance and repairs
What types of air conditioning are there?
The main types are ducted, split systems, multi-head (multiair) systems and bulkhead units for homes; ceiling and suspended cassettes, VRV systems and package units for commercial spaces; plus evaporative cooling, floor heating and window wall units. For most Gold Coast homes, the choice is between ducted and split systems.
Frost Solutions supplies, installs, maintains and repairs air conditioning across the Gold Coast, from Shailer Park to Lennox Head, with our own licensed technicians and electricians. Every page below explains how a system works, where it suits and what to weigh up, in plain English.
For homes
Which air conditioning types suit a home?
Ducted air conditioning suits whole homes with roof space. Split systems suit single rooms and smaller homes. Multi-head systems cover several rooms from one outdoor unit when ducts will not fit, and bulkhead units hide the unit in the ceiling. All four are reverse cycle, so they heat and cool.
Ducted air conditioning
One hidden system heats and cools the whole house through ceiling outlets, zoned room by room with AirTouch 5 or ZoneTouch.
Ducted air conditioning
Split systems
A wall unit and an outdoor unit for one room. The quickest, most affordable way to cool and heat bedrooms and living areas.
Split system air conditioning
Multi-head systems (multiair)
Several indoor units running from one outdoor unit. For a few rooms when there is no roof space for ducted.
Multiair systems
Bulkhead units
A slim unit hidden in a ceiling bulkhead with only a grille showing. A ducted look for rooms where full ducting will not fit.
Bulk head AC unitsFor businesses
Which air conditioning types suit commercial spaces?
Ceiling cassettes and suspended cassettes suit offices, shops and cafes. VRV systems suit larger buildings with many separately controlled zones. Package units suit single large spaces such as warehouses and retail tenancies. Split and ducted systems are used in smaller premises too.
Ceiling cassettes
Recessed into the ceiling, with air in several directions. Popular in offices, shops, cafes and large open-plan rooms.
About ceiling cassettesSuspended cassettes
Mounted on the surface of the ceiling, for rooms with concrete, exposed or shallow ceilings.
About suspended cassettesVRV systems
Many indoor units on one refrigerant system, each zone controlled separately. Built for larger commercial buildings.
About vrv systemsPackage units
Everything in one outdoor cabinet, ducted into the building. Common on shops, offices and warehouses.
About package unitsSee commercial air conditioning for installation, maintenance and breakdown support for businesses.
Honest guides
What about evaporative cooling, floor heating and window units?
These are less common on the Gold Coast. Evaporative cooling struggles in humid summers, floor heating is rarely needed in a mild climate, and window wall units have mostly been replaced by split systems. Our guides explain each one and what we recommend instead.
Evaporative cooling
Cheap to run and uses fresh air, but humid Gold Coast summers limit how well it cools. Our honest guide.
Read the guideFloor heating
Electric and hydronic underfloor heating explained, and whether it makes sense in a mild climate.
Read the guideWindow and wall units
How all-in-one window units work, and why a split system is usually the better replacement.
Read the guideSide by side
How do the air conditioning types compare?
The table compares every type by where it suits, how many rooms it serves and the main trade-off. Use it as a starting point; the right choice for your home also depends on roof space, ceilings, wall space and where an outdoor unit can go.
| Type | Best for | Coverage | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ducted | Whole homes with roof space | Whole house, zoned | Most discreet; higher up-front cost |
| Split system | Single rooms, granny flats, units | 1 room per system | Lowest cost per room; a unit on each wall |
| Multi-head | Several rooms, no roof space for ducts | Commonly 2 to 5 rooms | One outdoor unit serves every room on it |
| Bulkhead | Hidden units where ducted will not fit | 1 to 2 rooms per unit | Needs a bulkhead or shallow ceiling void |
| Ceiling cassette | Offices, shops, open-plan rooms | 1 space per unit | Needs a ceiling void |
| Suspended cassette | Rooms with no ceiling void | 1 space per unit | Visible under the ceiling |
| VRV / VRF | Larger multi-zone buildings | Many zones | Commercial design and commissioning |
| Package unit | Single large commercial spaces | Ducted into one space | All plant outside the building |
| Evaporative | Dry climates | Whole house via ducts | Struggles in humidity; cooling only |
| Floor heating | Cold climates, bathroom tiles | Room by room | Heating only; slow to respond |
| Window / wall | Like-for-like replacements, sheds | 1 room | Louder and less efficient than a split |
Choosing a system
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common type of air conditioning on the Gold Coast?
Reverse cycle split systems and ducted air conditioning. Splits are used for single rooms and smaller homes; ducted is the usual choice for whole family homes. Both heat and cool from one system.
Which type of air conditioner is the most efficient?
An inverter reverse cycle system that is correctly sized and only runs where you need it. For one room, that is usually a split system; for a whole house, ducted with zoning. Compare models on the Energy Rating Label and see our guide to energy-efficient cooling.
How do I know which type of air conditioner I need?
Start with how many rooms you want to condition, whether you have usable roof space, and your budget. Then get a site visit: we look at the roof, ceilings, wall space, switchboard and where outdoor units can go, and recommend a system. Our guide to choosing the right air conditioning system walks through it.
Which brands do you supply?
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Daikin, Samsung, Hisense, Fujitsu, Mitsubishi Electric, Panasonic, with ZoneTouch or AirTouch 5 zone controls on ducted systems. See all brands.
Keep exploring
Related services and guides
All air conditioning services
Installation, replacements, repairs, maintenance and more.
Learn moreDucted aircon packages
Typical ducted systems and what is included.
Learn moreDesign your ducted system
Map your rooms and zones before we visit.
Learn moreAir conditioning installation
Learn moreAir conditioning maintenance
Learn moreAir conditioning repairs
Learn moreCommercial air conditioning
Learn moreAll brands
Learn moreReal words from real clients
Rated 5.0 from 292 Google reviews
Every review below is from our Google Business Profile. Read them all on Google.
5.0 from 292 Google reviews checked 13 Nov 2026- ★★★★★
From my initial phone call to the pre-check and installation, all correspondence and actions were clear and understandable (for someone who is non tech savvy).. Shout out to Paul (Senior Technician) ... He was also clear when showing me how to use the air-con, and info on future servicing and cleaning when needed. Thanks Frost Solutions Team, I highly recommend you to anyone needing a new aircon :)
Sue Google review, about Jun 2026
- ★★★★★
Wow! Frost Solutions is possibly the best all round company I've worked with for a long time. The admin staff, sales and tradesmen-installers were all very polite, efficient and easy to communicate with. From the time I phoned to organise a quote to the full install was only an about a week ...
Jo Google review, about Nov 2025
- ★★★★★
Incredible service from start to finish! ... We had some extenuating circumstances that caused a number of delays at our end, and a significantly sloping site, but the crew from Frost were super accommodating, kept in touch but we're never pushy to get "the sale". ... We would highly recommend Frost.
Kelly Google review, about Jan 2026
- ★★★★★
Thank you Frost Solutions. Liam and Henry arrived before the booked time, a very good first impression. Both lads did a very professional job installing our Air con. The wife and I most definitely recommend the superb service of Frost Solutions.
Ian Google review, about Sep 2026
Your comfort, our priority.
Not sure which system you need?
Tell us about your home or business. We will visit, look at the space and recommend the right type and size.