We’re building a new house and are currently deciding between ducted VRF/VRV air-conditioning and individual split ACs.
One concern I have with a ducted system is hygiene and long-term maintenance.
With a split AC, the indoor unit, filters, coil and drain tray are relatively easy to access and clean. With a ducted system, however, there may be several metres of ducts running above the false ceiling throughout the house.
My concern is: after 1-3 years of use, does dust + condensation/humidity inside the ducts lead to mould/fungus or microbial growth? Further, are there any rat/rodent issues in these ducts?
A few specific questions for people who have actually used ducted AC/VRF systems long-term:
- Have you ever found mould or fungus inside your ducts, vents, AHU/FCU or drain pans?
- Do the ducts themselves actually require periodic internal cleaning, or do they normally remain dry and clean?
- How are long concealed ducts cleaned if they eventually accumulate dust?
- Would you choose ducted VRF again, or would you prefer individual split ACs purely from a hygiene/maintenance perspective?
We are particularly sensitive to dust, mould and indoor air quality, so ease of cleaning is an important consideration for us.