Repair your air conditioner if it is under about 10 years old, the fault is a single minor part, and the repair costs well under half the price of a new system. Replace it if it is over 15 years old, the compressor has failed, the same refrigerant leak has come back, or the parts are no longer made. Between 10 and 15 years, the part that failed decides it.
At Solus Air, our ARCtick-licensed technicians repair and install split and ducted systems across six states and territories, and we get asked this on almost every breakdown call involving an older system. The rule we use is simple: if a repair on a system over 10 years old costs more than 50% of the price of a new one, we recommend replacing it. Age alone is rarely enough to decide. The most reliable decisions weigh five things together: age, the fault, the repair cost against a replacement quote, the refrigerant, and whether the system ever suited the house.
This guide walks through each one, with the numbers we use and the sources behind them.
How long does an air conditioner last in Australia?
Most air conditioners in Australia last 10 to 15 years with regular servicing, and some run well past that. Coastal systems, poorly maintained units and systems that run hard all summer tend to sit at the shorter end.
Published lifespan figures vary. Consumer group CHOICE’s buying guide says an air conditioner should usually last at least six years, and frequently 10 years or more. A separate CHOICE article on installation costs puts the average lifespan at 15 to 20 years.
The gap reflects how much maintenance, climate and installation quality matter. A well-installed ducted system serviced every year behaves very differently from a split system on a salty balcony that has never been cleaned.
Here is how system age usually shapes the decision:
| System age | Where you usually stand | What to check first |
| Under 5 years | Likely a warranty claim | Manufacturer warranty, then Australian Consumer Law |
| 5 to 10 years | Repair is normally better value | Whether the failed part is major or minor |
| 10 to 15 years | Judgement call | Repair quote against a replacement quote |
| Over 15 years | Replacement is usually the sensible default | Refrigerant type and parts availability |
Age bands based on CHOICE lifespan guidance and standard five-year manufacturer warranties.
Is your air conditioner still under warranty?
Check this before you pay for anything. CHOICE reports that most brands offer five-year warranties, with a few offering six or seven years on certain models.
Warranty expiry does not end your rights. The ACCC states there are no set rules for how long a product should last under the consumer guarantees. Products must be safe, durable and free from defects, and durability is judged against factors such as the price paid and how long similar products last. Manufacturers must also provide spare parts and repair facilities for a reasonable time after purchase. A major fault on a six-year-old premium system is worth raising with the retailer or manufacturer first.
Workmanship warranties sit alongside the product warranty. As one example, at Solus Air our repairs carry a 12-month workmanship warranty and new installations carry five years. Whoever you use, ask what the warranty covers in writing before work starts.
Which air conditioner repairs are worth paying for?
The part that failed matters more than the age on the compliance plate. Most faults involve cheap, replaceable components. A few involve the parts that make up most of a system’s value.
These are typical Australian repair costs in 2026:
| Repair | Typical cost | Usually worth repairing? |
| Filter clean or replacement | $70 to $100 | Yes, and you can clean filters yourself |
| Thermostat or controller fault | $108 to $250 | Yes |
| Circuit board (PCB) replacement | $120 to $600 | Yes, if the part is still available |
| Capacitor replacement | $250 to $450 | Yes, on almost any system |
| Refrigerant recharge (after leak repair) | $160 to $400 | Yes, once |
| Refrigerant leak repair | $225 to $1,600 | Once, then replace if it leaks again |
| Compressor replacement | $800 to $1,200 or more | Usually replace if out of warranty |
Composite Australian trade ranges for 2026. Ducted systems, difficult access and regional travel push costs higher. No government body publishes average repair prices.
The pattern we see most often is that a single failed capacitor, fan motor or sensor on an otherwise healthy system is well worth fixing. A failed compressor on a 12-year-old system is a different story. Old systems that need a compressor rarely need only a compressor. For a fuller breakdown of repair, regas and servicing prices, see our NSW guide to air conditioner servicing costs.
Whatever the fault, insist on a diagnosis before a price. The technician should name the specific fault and quote the repair before touching anything. For example, “low on gas” describes a symptom, while the location of the leak is the actual fault.
What is the 50% rule for air conditioner repairs?
The 50% rule says that if a repair costs more than half the price of a new system, you should replace it instead. We apply it most firmly to systems over 10 years old, because they have less life left to justify the spend.
It is a trade rule of thumb. No Australian government body or consumer organisation publishes it, so treat it as a prompt to get a replacement quote rather than a hard line.
How does the 50% rule work in practice?
Say a 12-year-old 3.5 kW split system needs a $1,100 compressor repair, and a like-for-like replacement is quoted at $2,600. The repair is about 42% of the replacement price. That is under the 50% line, but only just, and the rest of the system is still 12 years old. In that situation we would usually lean toward replacing, because the next fault is likely not far away.
Repair frequency matters as much as any single bill. A system on its third call-out in two summers is a decline you are paying for in instalments.
How much does it cost to replace an air conditioner?
Replacing a single split system costs about $1,800 to $4,800 installed in Sydney, and a ducted reverse cycle system usually costs $10,000 or more for a standard house. Capacity, brand, access and your location all move the number.
CHOICE reports that split units alone range from $600 to $5,500, with installer fees of $600 to $800 or more. For ducted, CHOICE says you will struggle to find a system under $5,000 installed, a typical house can easily reach $10,000 or more, and large multi-storey homes are probably looking at $15,000 or more. Our own Sydney installation costs sit inside that picture, at $1,800 to $4,800 for a single split and $12,000 to $17,000 for whole-home ducted.
Is replacing an air conditioner cheaper than a new installation?
Replacing is often cheaper than a first-time install. CHOICE notes this holds as long as the new system goes into exactly the same indoor and outdoor positions. The existing pipework may not carry over, though. Old piping often needs replacing to suit the new system’s refrigerant, and reusing it can affect the new unit’s warranty. Ask your installer to spell out whether new pipework is included.
Will a new air conditioner lower your power bills?
A new system will usually cost less to run than a 15-year-old one. How much less depends on the old unit, the new unit and how you use it. Be wary of anyone who promises a specific percentage saving without seeing both systems.
What we can say with confidence:
- Heating and cooling is a big share of the bill. The Australian Government’s energy.gov.au says heating and cooling accounts for 20% to 50% of energy used in Australian homes, depending on climate.
- Modern reverse cycle is very efficient. The same source says reverse cycle air conditioning is 300% to 600% efficient, turning one unit of electricity into three to six units of heating or cooling.
- More stars means lower running costs. Air conditioners can be rated up to 10 stars on the Zoned Energy Rating Label, which shows efficiency for three Australian climate zones.
- Old and new labels do not compare. Energy Rating warns that you should not compare star ratings on old labels with Zoned Energy Rating Labels, because they are calculated differently. A “5 star” sticker on a 2008 unit is not the same as five stars today.
Why do newer air conditioners use less power?
Newer systems use inverter compressors that ramp up and down to hold a set temperature, rather than switching fully on and off. That is where much of the real-world saving comes from, along with better controls and sensors.
Power savings alone rarely justify replacing a system that is only eight years old and working well. Efficiency is best used to choose a better replacement once another reason has already made replacing the right call.
Does an R22 air conditioner need to be replaced?
No, an R22 system does not legally need to be replaced. The Australian Refrigeration Council states that existing R22 equipment “will not be banned and does not need to be decommissioned or retrofitted.”
The pressure on R22 owners is cost and supply. Since 1 January 2020, R22 imported into Australia can only be used to service existing equipment. From 1 January 2030, R22 imports will be banned entirely. The Council notes that the price of R22 “may rise depending on demand and availability,” and spare parts get harder to find as the equipment ages.
You can check which refrigerant yours uses on the compliance plate on the outdoor unit. Newer systems use R410A or R32.
What should you do with an R22 air conditioner?
Here is the approach we take with R22 systems:
- Minor fault, no leak: Repair it. A capacitor or fan motor on a working R22 system still buys you real time.
- Refrigerant leak: Lean strongly toward replacing. You would be paying to top up a refrigerant that is being phased out, on a system that is almost certainly over 15 years old.
- Compressor failure: Replace.
Only a licensed technician can handle refrigerant. Under Australian law, anyone servicing equipment where refrigerant could escape must hold a refrigerant handling licence from the Australian Refrigeration Council.
Can replacing your air conditioner fix comfort problems?
Yes, replacing can fix comfort problems caused by the system’s size or design. A repair restores what you had, so if the system never kept the house comfortable, replacement is the chance to fix that.
Comfort problems a repair will not solve include:
- A system that was the wrong size from day one. Undersized units run flat out and never catch up. Oversized units cool quickly, switch off, and leave the room clammy.
- Uneven temperatures between rooms. This often points to poor duct design or missing zoning rather than a failing unit.
- A house that has changed. An extension, a converted garage, a new home office or a family that has grown can all outpace the original system.
- Old gas ducted heating alongside a separate cooling system. A gas to reverse cycle conversion can replace both with one system and sometimes reuse existing ductwork.
If you replace, make sure the new system is sized to your rooms rather than copied from the old unit’s capacity. If the original was the wrong size, matching it repeats the mistake for another 15 years.
Repair vs replace: how do the two options compare?
This table summarises the trade-offs for a system in the 10 to 15-year range, where the decision is hardest.
| Factor | Repair the existing system | Replace with a new system |
| Upfront cost | Low to moderate, from under $100 to over $1,000 | Higher, from about $1,800 for a split to $10,000 or more for ducted |
| Remaining life | Limited, often a few years on an older unit | Full lifespan of 10 to 15 years or more |
| Warranty | Workmanship warranty on the repair only | New manufacturer warranty, usually five years or more |
| Running costs | Unchanged | Usually lower, especially on inverter models |
| Refrigerant | May be R22, with rising top-up costs | R32 or R410A, with parts readily available |
| Comfort | Restores current performance only | Chance to fix sizing, zoning and airflow |
| Reliability | More breakdowns likely as it ages | Fewer breakdowns in the early years |
Based on the CHOICE, Australian Refrigeration Council and energy.gov.au sources cited above.
What are the signs your air conditioner needs replacing?
One of these on its own is usually a repair. Two or three together usually mean replacement:
- The system is over 15 years old.
- The compressor has failed or is failing.
- The same refrigerant leak has been repaired before and has come back.
- It runs on R22 and has a leak.
- You have needed more than one repair in the past two years.
- Parts are discontinued or on long back-order.
- The system runs constantly on hot days and never reaches the set temperature, even after a clean.
- Your power bills have climbed while your usage has stayed the same.
- The outdoor unit is rusted through or the coils are badly corroded, which is common near the coast.
How to decide whether to repair or replace: 5 steps
Work through these in order. Most homeowners can do it in a week without being rushed into either option.
- Get the fault named. Ask the technician to identify the specific failed part and put it in writing. Expect to pay a diagnostic fee for this, and ask whether it is credited against the repair.
- Check the age and refrigerant. Both are on the compliance plate on the outdoor unit. Note the year of manufacture and whether it says R22.
- Check your warranty and consumer rights. If the system is under seven or eight years old, contact the manufacturer or retailer before paying for a major repair.
- Get a replacement quote to compare. A repair price means little without the number it is being weighed against. Apply the 50% rule to the two figures.
- Check who is doing the work. Ask for the technician’s ARCtick licence number and a written scope. Our guide to choosing an air conditioning technician covers the rest of the questions worth asking.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth repairing a 15-year-old air conditioner?
It is worth it for a minor part such as a capacitor, fan motor or sensor, if the system otherwise cools well. For a compressor failure or a refrigerant leak at that age, the money is usually better spent on a replacement.
Is it worth fixing a compressor on an old air conditioner?
Usually not, once the system is out of warranty and over about 10 years old. The compressor is the most expensive part, and the other components on an older system are likely to fail soon after.
How much should I spend repairing a 10-year-old air conditioner?
Keep repairs on a 10-year-old system under half the cost of a comparable replacement. If a single repair goes past that, or you are facing a second major repair within two years, get a replacement quote.
Can I keep regassing my air conditioner instead of replacing it?
You can, but it only delays the problem. Air conditioners do not use up refrigerant, so a system that needs regassing has a leak. Repair the leak once. If it leaks again, replace the system.
Is it better to replace a ducted system or just the outdoor unit?
Replace both in most cases. Indoor and outdoor units are designed as a matched pair, so a new outdoor unit may not suit an older indoor coil or its refrigerant. Existing ductwork can sometimes be kept if it is in good condition.
Should I replace my air conditioner before it breaks down?
If it is over 15 years old, runs on R22, or has needed repeated repairs, planning a replacement in autumn or winter is usually the better move. In our experience, December and January are the busiest weeks of the year for installers, and an emergency replacement in a heatwave leaves little time to compare quotes.
Where to start
If your system is under 10 years old and the fault is a single minor part, repair it. Then book an annual air conditioning service and clean the filters every few weeks in summer to get the most out of the years it has left.
If it is over 15 years old, runs on R22, or needs a compressor, get a replacement quote before you authorise the repair. If it sits in between, compare the two numbers side by side and let the 50% rule and the repair history make the call.
If you would like a second opinion, our technicians work across NSW, the ACT, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. Book a repair assessment and we will name the fault, give you a fixed repair price, and tell you plainly whether we think the system is worth fixing.
