Should you repair or replace your air conditioner?
Not sure whether to repair or replace your air conditioner? This quick guide weighs the age of your unit against the repair cost and the price of a new system. We are repair-first, so we will always be honest about which makes sense.
Repair or replace calculator
Weigh up repairing your air conditioner against replacing it.
The repair is a small share of replacement and the unit isn't old.
Book a repair assessmentA guide only, based on the age of the unit and the repair cost versus a new system. Refrigerant type, parts availability and running costs also matter. We are repair-first, we will always tell you honestly when a repair is the smarter choice.
When does repair beat replacement?
A good rule of thumb: if the repair costs less than about half the price of a new system and the unit is under roughly ten years old, repairing is usually the smarter choice. As units age past twelve years, parts get harder to find and efficiency drops, so replacement starts to make more sense. Older systems using phased-out refrigerants can also be more expensive to repair. We always assess the specific fault before recommending anything.
Frequently asked questions
How long should an air conditioner last?
A well-maintained split or ducted system typically lasts 10 to 15 years. Regular servicing extends its life, while neglected units fail sooner. Age alone is not the whole story, though, which is why this calculator also weighs the repair cost.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace an air conditioner?
For most faults on a unit under ten years old, repair is cheaper and the smarter choice. Replacement makes more sense when the unit is old, the repair is a large share of a new system, or running costs have climbed. Book an assessment and we will give you an honest recommendation.
How much does an air conditioner repair cost?
It depends entirely on the fault, from a minor part through to a major component. Rather than guess, we diagnose the problem first and give you a fixed price before any work starts, so you can make an informed repair or replace decision. Enter your repair quote in the calculator above to see how it compares with a new system.
What are the signs it is time to replace rather than repair?
The usual signs are an age beyond about 10 to 15 years (the typical lifespan of a split or ducted system), repeated breakdowns, climbing running costs, and a repair that costs more than roughly half the price of a new unit. Units running older, phased-out refrigerants can also be more expensive to repair.
Can older air conditioners using R22 or R410A still be repaired?
Usually yes, but it is getting harder and dearer. Australia is phasing out R22 (bulk imports stop in 2030, so it is already scarce and costly) and R410A is being phased down too, which is pushing its price up. If your unit uses one of these and needs a refrigerant-related repair, it is worth weighing up replacement. We explain this in our R410A phase-out guide.
