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Air conditioner replacement
Aircon replacement across North Brisbane
Old unit rattling, leaking or chewing through power, and nobody will give you a straight repair-or-replace answer? Skip it. One vetted local installer removes the old system and quotes the new one upfront.
- Licence and insurance already checked
- One trusted installer, straight advice
- Old unit removal and refrigerant recovery
Tell us the job. We’ll send the right aircon tech.
30 seconds. Free, no obligation, no chasing.
When replacing makes more sense than repairing
When an old aircon starts playing up, the ring-around gets murky. One tech wants to regas it again, another says replace the lot, and nobody explains why. You pay for a repair, and a few months later you’re ringing around again.
Breathe out. We send one vetted installer who’ll tell you straight whether it’s worth fixing and, if it isn’t, quote the changeover upfront in writing, including taking the old one away.
Air conditioners don’t last forever. Many split systems give 10 to 15 years of service in Brisbane conditions, sometimes more with good maintenance and less in coastal spots where salt air corrodes outdoor coils. Once a system starts needing regular repairs, replacing it is often the better value.
Older systems are also far less efficient than modern inverter units. If your system is more than 12 to 15 years old, a new unit of the same size may cost noticeably less to run, and it will usually be quieter and better at dehumidifying.
Many older systems use R22 refrigerant. R22 has been phased down in Australia under the Montreal Protocol, so it’s increasingly scarce and expensive. If an R22 system develops a leak, a repair and regas can be hard to justify. Newer systems use R32 or R410A.
The difference
Replacing an aircon the usual way vs. with us
The usual way
- Mixed advice: regas it, replace it, who knows
- Pay for a repair, then ring around again
- Old unit removal missing from the quote
- No idea who’s licensed to recover the gas
With Air Conditioning North Brisbane
- One installer, one straight answer
- Repair-or-replace advice before you spend
- Removal and disposal spelled out upfront
- ARCtick licence checked before they join
Signs it’s time to replace your air conditioner
One of these on its own may be fixable. Two or three together usually means it’s time.
It’s over 12–15 years old
Older units are less efficient and parts can be hard to find, particularly for discontinued models.
Repeated breakdowns
If you’ve paid for repairs more than once in a couple of years, the next one may not be worth it.
It uses R22 refrigerant
Check the compliance plate on the outdoor unit. R22 systems are expensive to regas.
Corroded outdoor unit
Rust and corrosion on the coil or casing are common near the coast and tend to lead to leaks.
It can’t keep up
If a renovation or extension has made the room bigger, the old unit may now be undersized.
Power bills keep climbing
Declining efficiency shows up on your bill before the unit fails outright.
Costs
Aircon replacement costs
A changeover can cost a little less than a brand new install if the location, circuit and some pipework can be reused.
| Job | Indicative cost | What affects it |
|---|---|---|
| Like-for-like split system changeover | $1,500–$3,000 | Includes removing the old unit |
| Old unit removal and disposal only | $100–$350 | Includes refrigerant recovery |
| Upsized split system replacement | $2,200–$5,500 | Larger unit may need a new circuit |
| Ducted system replacement | $8,000–$22,000 | Depends on whether ductwork is reused |
Indicative only, GST inclusive, based on published Brisbane pricing guides at the time of writing. These are not our prices. Get a written quote.
Common questions
Aircon replacement FAQs
Can the existing pipework be reused?
Sometimes. If the existing copper is in good condition, the right size for the new unit and properly flushed, some installers will reuse it. Many prefer to run new pipe, particularly when changing refrigerant types or if the old pipework is damaged or poorly insulated. The installer should explain their reasoning in the quote.
What happens to the old unit?
The refrigerant must be recovered by a licensed technician, not vented to the atmosphere. The old unit is then removed and usually taken for metal recycling. Check that removal and disposal are included in your quote, as some installers list it as an extra.
How do I tell if my aircon uses R22?
Look at the compliance plate or sticker on the outdoor unit. It lists the refrigerant type, such as R22, R410A or R32. If the label is faded or missing, the age of the unit is a clue, as R22 was common in systems installed up to the late 2000s. A technician can confirm it.
Should I replace with the same size unit?
Not automatically. If the old unit was undersized or oversized, or the room has changed, this is your chance to get it right. Ask the contractor to check the room size, orientation and insulation and recommend a size, rather than just reading the old unit’s label.
Can I replace a few old units at once?
Yes, and it’s often cheaper per unit because the installer is already on site. If several of your units are a similar age, replacing them together also means you’re on the same brand and warranty period. Some people use the opportunity to consider ducted or multi-head instead.
How long does a changeover take?
A like-for-like split system changeover on a single-storey home is often done in half a day, including recovering the refrigerant from the old unit, removing it and installing the new one. Upsizing, running new pipe or upgrading the circuit can add time. Ducted replacements typically take one to three days, depending on whether the ductwork is replaced.
Skip the ring-around
Out with the old, no stuffing around
Tell us what you have now, how old it is and the room it cools. We’ll send the right installer, and they’ll call you to quote.
Tell us the job. We’ll send the right aircon tech.
30 seconds. Free, no obligation, no chasing.