Daikin, Panasonic and Midea are the three ducted brands we install most, and "which one should I get?" is the question we hear most at in-home designs in Melbourne's south-east. This page compares them on the things that actually differ: price, the specific models, power supply and who each one suits. Everything else, from the ductwork to the zoning, is the same.
The quick answer
In our packages, Daikin and Panasonic are the premium options and Midea is the value option, and that is almost the whole story. For a Large home, Daikin 18kW is $12,790 and Panasonic 18kW is $12,990, a $200 gap. For an Extra large home, Midea 20kW is $9,990 and Daikin 20kW is $13,490, a $3,500 gap, and the Daikin needs 3-phase power. All three come with AirTouch 5 zoning, up to 8 temperature-controlled zones, 10 outlets, removal of the old gas ducted heater and a free in-home design. Prices are installed, after the VEU rebate when replacing a gas ducted heater, single storey, as at 5 November 2026.
Side by side
| Package | Model numbers (indoor / outdoor) | Power | Zones and outlets | Installed price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daikin 18kW | FDYA180AV1 / RZAS180DV1 | Single phase | AirTouch 5, up to 8 zones, 10 outlets | $12,790 |
| Panasonic 18kW | S-180PE4R / U-180PZH3R5 | Single phase | AirTouch 5, up to 8 zones, 10 outlets | $12,990 |
| Midea 20kW | See package page | See package page | AirTouch 5, up to 8 zones, 10 outlets | $9,990 |
| Daikin 20kW | FDYA200AV1 / RZAS200DY1 | 3 phase | AirTouch 5, up to 8 zones, 10 outlets | $13,490 |
| Daikin 14kW | See package page | See package page | AirTouch 5, 4 zones, 8 outlets | $11,890 |
| Midea 14kW | DUCMI140IHB / UCMI140OB | Single phase | AirTouch 5, 4 zones, 8 outlets | $9,490 |
Installed prices in AUD including GST, after the VEU rebate when replacing an existing gas ducted heater, single-storey home (double storey add $500). Model numbers are listed on each package page. Prices last updated 3 November 2026, honoured until 15 November 2026.
What is identical across all three
- Zoning. Every package uses AirTouch 5: a wall console, a phone app and individual temperature-controlled zones with their own sensors. The brand of the ducted unit does not change how the zoning works or how many zones you get.
- Ductwork and outlets. Insulated flexible duct and the same outlet count within a size band.
- Installation. The same licensed plumbers and electricians (plumbing licence 117512, REC 35211, ARC AU 50347), the same free in-home design, and the old gas ducted heater removed.
- VEU approval. All our package systems are approved high-efficiency products under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program, which is what makes the rebate possible. Approved products for homes must carry a minimum 5-year manufacturer warranty.
Daikin
Daikin is the brand most people name first, and it is the one we offer in the widest range of sizes: 10kW, 12.5kW, 14kW, 16kW, 18kW and 20kW. The 18kW (FDYA180AV1 / RZAS180DV1) is single phase and suits most Large homes. The 20kW (FDYA200AV1 / RZAS200DY1) is a 3-phase unit, so it only suits homes that already have 3-phase power or are prepared to have it connected; we check this at the in-home design. Daikin costs more than the value brands for the same capacity, and that premium is the equipment itself, not anything about the install.
Panasonic
Panasonic sits beside Daikin at the premium end. We install the 18kW (S-180PE4R / U-180PZH3R5), single phase, at $12,990, $200 more than the Daikin 18kW with the same inclusions. In practice the choice between the two 18kW units comes down to the published capacity and efficiency figures for each model against your home's load, and to which brand you would rather have serviced over the next decade; both have long-established Australian service networks. We go through the specific figures at the in-home design.
Midea
Midea is the value brand in our range, with 10.5kW, 12.5kW, 14kW and 20kW packages. The 20kW at $9,990 is the lowest-priced Extra large package we offer. Midea ducted units are VEU-approved high-efficiency products like the premium brands, so the rebate applies the same way and the minimum 5-year warranty condition applies. What you give up for the lower price is brand cachet rather than zoning, outlets or installation quality, all of which are the same across our packages.
What matters more than the brand
- Sizing. An undersized unit of any brand runs flat out and still falls short on a 40-degree day; an oversized one cycles and costs more than it needed to. Our sizing guide explains how we match capacity to the home.
- Zoning design. Which rooms share a zone, where the sensors go and how the return air is placed affect day-to-day comfort more than the badge on the outdoor unit. This is the part we spend the in-home design on.
- Power supply. Single phase or 3 phase decides which 20kW unit you can have.
- Duct layout and roof space. A tight roof can change the duct run, which is why we look before we quote.
A note on star ratings
Ducted air conditioners are not required to carry the Australian energy rating label (some carry a voluntary one), so you will not usually be able to compare these units by stars the way you can with a split system. Compare the manufacturer's published capacity and efficiency figures for the exact model number instead; the Australian Government energy rating site explains which products carry the label.
Common questions
Is Daikin or Panasonic better for ducted?
For a Large home the two are close: Daikin 18kW at $12,790 and Panasonic 18kW at $12,990, both single phase, both with AirTouch 5 and up to 8 zones. Choose on the exact model's capacity and efficiency figures for your home, which we confirm at the in-home design.
Is Midea ducted any good?
Midea is a value brand. Our Midea 20kW at $9,990 is a VEU-approved high-efficiency product with the same installation, ductwork and AirTouch 5 zoning as the premium packages. The lower price is the equipment.
Which ducted brand is best for a Melbourne home?
Budget and power supply decide it more than the badge. Value brands deliver the same zoned comfort for $2,000 to $3,500 less in the same size band; premium brands cost more for the unit. For an Extra large home, the Daikin 20kW needs 3-phase power, which we confirm at the in-home design.
Do ducted air conditioners have energy star ratings?
Not usually. Ducted units are not required to carry the label, so compare the model's published figures instead.
Does the brand change the zoning?
No. Every package uses AirTouch 5 with individual temperature-controlled zones and a phone app, whatever the brand. AirTouch 5 supports up to 16 zones; our packages include 4 or up to 8.
How this page is kept accurate
Prices and model numbers are taken from our live package pages, which are set up as real quotes in our job system. Brand facts are limited to what we can verify from the manufacturers' and Australian Government pages linked above; where we could not verify a figure (for example an exact warranty term for a specific model) we have left it out rather than guess. Specs checked 5 November 2026.