Bulkhead Air Conditioning Melbourne
Bulkhead air conditioning gives you efficient reverse cycle heating and cooling without a visible indoor unit on the wall. EZYAIR designs, supplies and installs bulkhead air conditioners (also called bulkhead split systems or bulkhead ducted units) across metropolitan Melbourne for apartments, townhouses, new builds and renovations where a discreet finish matters.
Our in-house team has been installing high efficiency heating and cooling since 2007, and you can see bulkhead units on display at our Burwood showroom. Compare bulkhead air conditioners by brand below, then request a bulkhead installation quote or call 1300 EZYAIR (1300 399 247).
What is a bulkhead air conditioner?
A bulkhead system uses a slim ducted indoor unit (the fan coil) concealed inside a bulkhead, ceiling space or cavity. Short ducts carry conditioned air to supply grilles, and air returns through a return air grille that also holds the filter. The indoor unit connects to an outdoor unit (the condenser) with refrigeration piping, communication cabling and a power supply, just like a split system.
Bulkhead systems are reverse cycle, so they heat as well as cool, and they use the same vapour compression refrigeration cycle that makes split and ducted systems so energy efficient.
Where can a bulkhead air conditioner be installed?
- apartments and townhouses with a bulkhead over the kitchen, hallway or entry
- bedrooms and living areas where you do not want a wall mounted unit
- new builds and renovations, where the bulkhead can be planned before plastering
- open plan spaces that suit one or two concealed grilles
- multi-split systems, where a bulkhead unit can share one outdoor unit with other indoor units
Bulkhead vs wall split system vs ducted: how they compare
- Wall split system: one visible indoor unit per room and usually the simplest installation. See split system installation.
- Bulkhead system: a concealed indoor unit serving one room or a small group of rooms, with only grilles visible.
- Ducted system: a larger fan coil in the roof or under the floor serving the whole home through ductwork and outlets. See ducted air conditioning installation.
Bulkhead ducted systems by brand
We install bulkhead and slim ducted units from Fujitsu, Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Panasonic and Midea. The table compares the bulkhead ranges listed on our brand pages, using the cooling capacities and dimensions published by each manufacturer. Select a link to see the full specifications, brochures and model list for that range.
| Brand | Bulkhead range or model series | Rated cooling capacity (kW) | Indoor unit height (mm) | Refrigerant | Specifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fujitsu | Bulkhead (ARTH KSLAP and KLLAP models) | 2.5 to 5.0 | 198 | R32 | View Fujitsu bulkhead specs |
| Daikin | Bulkhead (FDYBA) | 2.5 to 7.1 | 200 | R32 | View Daikin FDYBA bulkhead specs |
| Mitsubishi Electric | SEZ-M Series bulkhead | 2.5 to 7.1 | 200 | R32 | View Mitsubishi Electric SEZ-M specs |
| Panasonic | R32 Inverter Ultra Slim Ducted (UD3) | 2.6 to 5.6 | 200 | R32 | View Panasonic UD3 ultra slim ducted specs |
| Midea | Ducted Series - RAC, Slim Design models (DUCMI70IB, DUCMI90IB, DUCMI105IHB) | 7.0 to 10.5 | see specs | R32 | View Midea Slim Design ducted specs |
| Midea | MULTI multi split system with ducted indoor unit | see specs | see specs | R32 | View Midea multi split specs |
Figures are rated cooling capacities and indoor unit heights as published by each manufacturer and shown on our brand pages. Where a figure is not published as a single value, the table says see specs. Midea does not list a separate bulkhead range: its Slim Design ducted models and the ducted indoor unit on its multi split system suit concealed installations. Tables scroll sideways on smaller screens.
Not sure which brand suits your room? Every brand above offers reverse cycle heating and cooling in a concealed unit. We compare indoor unit size, capacity, controller options and outdoor unit location for your space, then recommend a model. Ask us to compare bulkhead air conditioners for your home.
What our bulkhead air conditioner installation includes
- a site assessment of the bulkhead or ceiling space, the grille positions and the outdoor unit location
- recommending a make, model and capacity to suit the room
- installing the concealed indoor unit, ducts, supply grilles and return air grille with filter access
- running the refrigeration piping, communication cabling and condensate drain
- installing the outdoor unit and a dedicated electrical circuit
- pulling the system into a vacuum, charging it with the correct amount of refrigerant and commissioning it
- showing you how to use the controller and how to access the filter
Things to plan before a bulkhead installation
- Space: the bulkhead or cavity must be large enough for the indoor unit and ducts.
- Access: the return air grille and filter need to be reachable for cleaning and maintenance.
- Drainage: every refrigerated air conditioner creates condensate in heating and cooling, so the drain must terminate safely. Above ground level this may mean a pump or other solution. See correct termination of condensate drains.
- Building works: the bulkhead itself is usually framed and plastered by a builder or plasterer.
- Owners corporation: in apartments and townhouses, check the rules for outdoor unit locations.
Why choose EZYAIR for bulkhead air conditioning
- Experience with complex installations in apartments, townhouses and high rise buildings since 2007
- Bulkhead units on display at our Burwood showroom so you can see the finish before you decide
- Our own in-house team of licensed electricians, plumbers and refrigeration mechanics: Electrical Contractor 20559, Plumbing Licence 49852, Refrigerant Trading Authorisation AU25526, Refrigerant Handling Licence L156073
- 5 year parts and labour installation warranty, $20 million public liability insurance and a price match guarantee
- VEU accredited provider A2261
Related services
- Multi-split systems: combine a bulkhead unit with other indoor units on one outdoor unit.
- Apartment air conditioning and townhouse air conditioning.
- Ducted air conditioning service and maintenance.
- Brand ducted pages with bulkhead ranges: Fujitsu ducted air conditioning, Daikin ducted air conditioning, Mitsubishi Electric ducted air conditioning, Panasonic ducted air conditioning and Midea ducted air conditioning.
Bulkhead air conditioning FAQs
What is a bulkhead air conditioner?
A bulkhead air conditioner is a slim ducted indoor unit hidden in a bulkhead, ceiling space or similar cavity, with short ducts to grilles in one or more rooms. It is a reverse cycle refrigerated system, so it heats and cools, and connects to an outdoor unit in the same way as a split system.
What is a bulkhead split system?
Bulkhead split system is another name for a bulkhead air conditioner. Like a wall split system, it has an indoor unit and an outdoor unit joined by refrigeration piping, but the indoor unit is a slim ducted unit concealed in the bulkhead, so only the grilles are visible.
Is a bulkhead system better than a wall split system?
Neither is better for every home. A bulkhead system is concealed, so only the grilles are visible, but it needs a suitable bulkhead or ceiling cavity. A wall split system usually has a simpler installation. Our team will explain which suits your room.
Can a bulkhead unit be part of a multi-split system?
Yes. Multi-split indoor units can be wall hung, bulkhead, cassette or floor console, so you can combine a bulkhead unit in one room with other indoor unit types on the same outdoor unit.
Do I need a builder to create the bulkhead?
A bulkhead is usually framed and plastered by a builder or plasterer. Tell us about your project when you request a quote and we will explain the space the indoor unit and its ducts will need.
Can I see a bulkhead unit before I decide?
Yes. Our 600 square metre Burwood showroom has wall hung, cassette, ducted, bulkhead and floor console units on display, and many of them are operational.
Does a bulkhead system need maintenance?
Yes. Like every air conditioner, a bulkhead system needs regular maintenance, including cleaning the filters. Plan for easy access to the return air grille and filter. See our air conditioning maintenance services.
Which brands of bulkhead air conditioner does EZYAIR install?
We install bulkhead and slim ducted units from Fujitsu, Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Panasonic and Midea. Fujitsu Bulkhead, Daikin FDYBA, Mitsubishi Electric SEZ-M and Panasonic UD3 are dedicated bulkhead or ultra slim ducted ranges, and Midea offers Slim Design ducted models and a ducted indoor unit for its multi split system.
How do bulkhead air conditioner capacities compare between brands?
As published by the manufacturers, Fujitsu Bulkhead units are rated from 2.5 to 5.0 kW cooling, Daikin FDYBA and Mitsubishi Electric SEZ-M from 2.5 to 7.1 kW, Panasonic UD3 from 2.6 to 5.6 kW, and the Midea Slim Design ducted models from 7.0 to 10.5 kW. The right capacity depends on the room size, insulation and orientation, so we assess the space before recommending a model.
Victorian Energy Upgrades
EZYAIR is a Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) accredited provider (A2261). If you are replacing an older heater with an efficient reverse cycle system, ask us whether your project may be eligible for a VEU discount. Eligibility depends on the existing heater, the new product and the program rules at the time. Learn more on our Victorian Energy Upgrades page.
Request a bulkhead installation quote
Planning a discreet heating and cooling solution? Contact EZYAIR today or call 1300 EZYAIR (1300 399 247).
