Replacing an old air conditioner: the whole system

Signs it may be time to replace

Knowing when to replace an air conditioner can be hard. It is a major purchase that most people do not make lightly, but nobody wants to come home to a broken system on a hot summer day.

Start by asking yourself these questions:

• Is your heating or cooling system more than 10 years old and no longer keeping you comfortable?
• Is it running constantly and never serviced?
• Are there strange noises or unpleasant smells coming from it?
• Are your energy bills higher than you think they should be?

If you answered yes to any of these, it is worth having an accredited dealer look at the system. Replacing an old air conditioner can heat and cool your home better and reduce your power bill.

What happens next

Whether you need a new system or a service, the right local specialist can be the difference between a good, affordable experience and an expensive one. Here is what happens next:

1. Contact an accredited dealer for an in-home consultation. Use the dealer locator to find one near you.
2. Think about whether you want to change any zoning or outlet locations while the system is being replaced.
3. The dealer will advise on the options that suit your home and your needs.

Ask for the advice in writing. What a proper quote includes explains what to expect.

Replace the whole system, not part of it

Air conditioning technology has moved a long way in recent years. Because of that, it is likely that all the indoor and outdoor components of your existing system will need replacing.

Old components kept with a new system limit its efficiency and reliability. A complete replacement lets you make the most of a new energy-efficient system, for reliable, low-cost whole-home comfort for years to come.

If you are weighing up a repair against a replacement, How to know it's time to replace your air conditioner goes into more detail.

Running costs and star ratings

Energy-efficient air conditioners cost less to run and can save you money over the life of the system. Check the Energy Rating Label on your old system. If a newer model would use much less energy, the replacement may pay for itself within a few years.

The more stars on the label, the more efficient the appliance. Energy star ratings explains how to read the label. Inverter models hold a set temperature more precisely and use less energy than fixed-speed units. What is an inverter compressor covers how they work.

Before you decide

• Note the age of your system and whether it still keeps you comfortable
• Note any constant running, strange noises or unpleasant smells
• Compare recent energy bills with what you expect to pay
• Decide whether zoning or outlet locations should change
• Ask for a complete replacement, not a mix of new and old parts
• Compare the star ratings of the models you are offered

An accredited member has established premises, a back-up service department and its own design capability, so the advice on repair versus replacement comes from a business set up to do both. Find one near you on the dealer locator.