How long does a split system changeover usually take?

A straightforward like-for-like changeover of one split system is often done within a day. Jobs that need new pipework, a new outdoor unit position, an electrical upgrade or work at height can take longer. Ask the provider for an estimate once they have seen photos.

Can I keep my old wall bracket when replacing the unit?

Only if it suits the new outdoor unit's size and weight and is in sound condition. Brackets on coastal walls often show rust at the bolts and welds, and a provider will usually replace a bracket that is corroded or not rated for the new unit.

Should I replace all my air conditioners at once?

Not necessarily. Replace the units that are failing or inefficient first. Doing several at once can save on travel and setup and leave you with matching controls, so it is worth asking for a quote that shows each unit separately and as a group.

What should I do with the old unit's warranty paperwork?

Keep the old paperwork until the new system is installed and working, in case questions come up about the old unit. Then file the new unit's warranty, the installer's invoice and the commissioning details together, and register the warranty with the manufacturer if that is required.

Is a reverse cycle unit a sensible replacement for an old cooling-only unit?

A reverse cycle unit both cools and heats, so it gives you heating as well as cooling from the one system. Ask the provider to quote the heating capacity alongside the cooling capacity so you can compare models properly.

Air conditioner replacement in Byron Bay

Replace an air conditioner when the repair would cost a large share of a new unit, when the system is old and runs on an older refrigerant such as R22, or when salt has corroded the outdoor coil beyond saving. A like-for-like split system changeover in Byron Bay, with the old unit removed, sits in a published band of $1,575 to $3,150. The work involves recovering the refrigerant from the old system, checking whether the existing pipework and wiring can be reused, and fitting a unit that suits the room as it is used now.

Illustrative photo for Air conditioner replacement in Byron Bay

Independent air conditioning businesses in the area assess the old system and price the changeover; this site sends them your enquiry and does not supply or fit equipment itself.

Should you repair or replace your air conditioner?

Use this table as a starting point. A technician who has seen the unit will give a firmer answer.

Factor	Leans towards repair	Leans towards replacement
Age of the system	Under about ten years and otherwise reliable	Well past ten years, with a history of faults
Refrigerant on the compliance plate	A current refrigerant that is easy to source	An old HCFC refrigerant such as R22
Outdoor coil condition	Clean fins, no leaks	Crumbling fins, pinhole leaks, a rusted case
The fault	Drain, sensor, capacitor or other minor part	Compressor failure, repeated leaks, a failed board on an old model
Cost comparison	Repair quote well below the changeover band	Repair quote approaching the changeover band
Room use	Room and usage unchanged since install	Room extended, opened up or now used for sleeping or working
Running cost	Efficient unit with a good star rating	Low star rating and high power bills

Treat ten years as a rough guide only. A well serviced unit away from the beach can last longer, and a unit facing the ocean can fail much sooner. For the fault side of this decision, the repairs page explains what each symptom usually means.

What about an old R22 unit?

Older split systems often ran on R22, an HCFC refrigerant. The compliance plate on the outdoor unit shows which refrigerant is inside. When an R22 unit has a leak or compressor fault, many owners find the replacement conversation comes up quickly, because a new system on a current refrigerant is also likely to be more efficient. A provider will look at the plate and explain the options for your unit.

Like for like, or a different size?

A changeover is a good moment to check that the unit is the right capacity. Rooms change: a deck gets enclosed, a wall comes out, a spare room becomes an office. A unit that was sized for the old layout may now run flat out on hot afternoons, or cycle on and off in a room that has shrunk.

Approach	When it suits	Things to check
Like-for-like capacity	Room unchanged and the old unit coped well	Whether the same mounting position and pipe run can be reused
Larger capacity	Room extended or opened into another space, or the old unit struggled	Electrical circuit size, outdoor unit location and clearance
Smaller capacity	Room reduced, or the old unit was oversized and short cycled	Whether the existing pipe sizes suit the new unit

Published Byron Bay bands for a new supplied and installed split system are $1,475 to $2,950 for a 3.5 kW unit and $1,900 to $3,675 for a 5 kW unit, which helps when a resize changes the job. The air conditioning cost page lists every installed band in one place, and the size guide explains how capacity is worked out.

Can the old pipework be reused?

Sometimes. A provider will look at the existing copper pipe and decide based on:

Whether the pipe sizes match what the new unit’s installation manual asks for.
The condition of the pipe and insulation, especially on a coastal outside wall where both degrade.
Whether the old system had a compressor burnout, which can leave contamination in the lines.
Whether the new unit uses a different refrigerant and oil that the manufacturer says needs new or flushed pipework.
Whether the indoor and outdoor units are moving to new positions.

Reusing sound pipework can save time and wall damage. Reusing pipe the manufacturer says should be replaced can affect the warranty and reliability, so a careful installer will follow the manual.

What happens to the refrigerant in the old unit?

Refrigerant must be recovered from the old system, not released. Under the national scheme described by the Australian Refrigeration Council on its legislation and regulation page, the technician doing the recovery must hold a refrigerant handling licence, and the business needs a refrigerant trading authorisation to acquire, store or dispose of refrigerant. That scheme operates under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995. Ask who will take the recovered gas and the old unit away, and whether removal is included in the price. The quote checklist has the steps for checking licences.

How is a changeover done?

The technician recovers the refrigerant from the old system into a recovery cylinder.
The old indoor and outdoor units are disconnected, isolated electrically and removed.
Pipework, drain and wiring are inspected and either reused, cleaned or replaced.
Brackets are checked and replaced if rusted, then the new units are mounted.
Pipe connections are made, pressure tested and evacuated with a vacuum pump.
The electrical connection is completed and the system is commissioned and tested.
You are shown how the new controls work, and the paperwork and warranty registration are handed over.

Can you get a discount when replacing an old unit?

The NSW Energy Savings Scheme offers an upfront discount on the installer’s quote when an old air conditioner is replaced with an efficient one, according to the NSW air conditioner upgrade incentive page. The amount depends on the unit, the installer and your situation, and the paperwork must be signed before installation starts. The rebates guide explains how it works.

Why do units in Byron Bay need replacing sooner?

Salt is the big one for homes near Main Beach, Belongil, Suffolk Park and Brunswick Heads. A beachfront outdoor unit can lose its coil years before an identical unit in the hinterland. If corrosion is why you are replacing, ask for a model with a treated outdoor coil, stainless or coated brackets and a more sheltered position. The coastal corrosion page covers the protection options. Inland, around Mullumbimby and Bangalow, replacements are more often driven by age, efficiency and humidity-related faults.

What will a careful installer insist on?

Seeing the old unit’s compliance plate before quoting.
Recovering all refrigerant before anything is disconnected.
Following the new unit’s installation manual on pipe size, length and clearance.
Testing the circuit under pressure and vacuum before charging.
Leaving you with the warranty details and a record of what was installed.

Next step

Request a replacement quote for your air conditioner with a photo of the old outdoor unit’s compliance plate, the room size and how it is used, whether you want the same capacity or a resize, photos of both units and the pipe run, how far the home is from the beach, and your suburb. Mention any fault the old unit has and when it last worked properly.

Send a job enquiry