Split system replacement in Traralgon
Replacing a split system in Traralgon: like-for-like changeovers, reusing brackets or pipes, refrigerant recovery from the old unit, upsizing and guide costs.
Replacing a split system in Traralgon is usually a changeover: the technician recovers the refrigerant from the old unit, removes both the indoor head and the outdoor unit, and fits a new reverse cycle system in the same or a better position. Some jobs reuse the wall bracket, the pipe cover or the pipework if it is suitable, and some upsize to a larger unit because the old one never kept the room warm. Independent local businesses quote these changeovers through this site, and the business you go with is responsible for the job and its paperwork.
When is it time to replace a split system?
People in the Latrobe Valley usually look at replacement for one of these reasons:
- It has failed and the repair is expensive. A dead compressor or a failed board on an old unit is often the trigger.
- It never coped with winter. Overnight lows in July average 3.7 C at the Latrobe Valley Airport weather station (Bureau of Meteorology long-term data). A unit that was sized for cooling only can struggle to heat a living room on those mornings.
- It keeps breaking down. Repeat leaks, regas after regas, or errors that come back after each repair.
- It is noisy or inefficient. Older units can be loud outside and expensive to run compared with current models.
- The room has changed. An extension, a knocked out wall or a new open plan layout means the old unit is now too small.
If you are not sure whether it is worth fixing, start with the air conditioner repairs page, which covers diagnosis and the repair or replace question.
What are the options when replacing a split?
| Option | What it involves | When it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Like-for-like changeover | Same size unit in the same positions, old unit removed | The old unit was the right size and the positions work |
| Upsize | A larger unit, sometimes a new circuit, possibly new pipe size | The room was always cold or hot, or it has grown |
| Move the units | New positions for the indoor head, outdoor unit or both | The old head blew air at the couch, or the outdoor unit was in a bad spot |
| Replace with a multi-split | One outdoor unit running the old room plus others | You want to add rooms at the same time |
| Replace with ducted | A whole-house system instead of room units | You want every room done and the roof space suits |
For a new unit in a room that has never had one, see split system installation.
Can the old pipes and bracket be reused?
Sometimes. A wall bracket for the outdoor unit can often be reused if it is sound and rated for the new unit’s weight. The pipe cover may suit if the new pipes follow the same route. Reusing the refrigerant pipework is more of a judgment call: it depends on the pipe sizes the new unit needs, the type of refrigerant, the condition of the pipes and the manufacturer’s instructions.
The Energy Victoria reverse cycle air conditioner buyers guide puts the onus on you to ask: if any part of the old system is staying, the installer should confirm that part is suitable for the new unit and compliant with current standards. Have each reused item listed on the quote with that confirmation beside it.
Who recovers the refrigerant from the old unit?
The Australian Refrigeration Council lists decommissioning refrigeration and air conditioning equipment that contains refrigerant as work that needs a refrigerant handling licence. The full list is on the ARC page about work that requires a licence, and licensing is under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989.
In practice, that means the old unit should not be cut off the wall by someone without a licence. Before you accept a quote, ask:
- Who will recover the gas from the old unit, and what licence they hold
- Whether removal and disposal of the old indoor and outdoor units is included
- What happens to the old unit after it leaves your house
A careful technician pumps the refrigerant back into the outdoor unit or into a recovery cylinder before disconnecting anything. They will not vent it to the air.
How does a changeover work, step by step?
- Site visit. The installer looks at the old system, measures the room and checks the switchboard and circuit.
- Quote. It should name the new unit, its heating and cooling capacity, what is being reused, what is being removed, and the warranty.
- Recovery. On the day, the refrigerant in the old system is recovered by a licensed technician.
- Removal. The old indoor head, outdoor unit and any pipes not being reused come out.
- Installation. The new head and outdoor unit go up, pipes are run or connected, and the drain is set to fall.
- Pressure test and evacuation. The pipework is tested for leaks and evacuated before the new refrigerant is released.
- Electrical connection. A licensed electrician connects the unit, and changes the circuit if the new unit needs it.
- Commissioning and handover. The system is run in heat and cool mode, and you are shown how to use it and clean the filters.
What does a split system replacement cost?
The Melbourne guide range for a like-for-like split system changeover, including removal of the old unit, is $1,575 to $3,150, and a quote to swap your old split shows what your wall and pipework add. That is a Melbourne metro guide range including GST. Prices in Traralgon and nearby towns may differ, and moving the units, upsizing, a long pipe run or switchboard work will add to the price. The Traralgon heating and cooling cost guide puts every band on this site in one table.
Is there a VEU discount for replacing a split?
Victorian Energy Upgrades has a household category for replacing an existing non-ducted reverse cycle unit with a new efficient one. That discount is much smaller than the ones for replacing a gas heater. It has to go through an accredited provider before the work is done. The VEU heating discounts guide explains how to check whether your changeover qualifies.
What goes wrong when a changeover is rushed?
Most problems after a replacement trace back to steps skipped on the day. These are the ones to watch for:
- No pressure test or evacuation. If the pipework is not leak tested and pulled into a vacuum before the new gas is released, air and moisture stay in the system and it can fail early.
- Old pipes reused without checking. Pipes that are the wrong size, kinked or dirty inside can cut performance or void the new unit’s warranty.
- Drain left flat. A new head hung on the old bracket position may not let the condensate fall, and it drips down the wall a few weeks later.
- Outdoor unit squeezed back into a poor spot. A changeover is the cheapest time to move a condenser that was always too close to a fence or a bedroom window.
- Circuit not checked. A larger unit on the old circuit can trip the breaker on the first cold morning.
What should you get at handover?
Ask the installer to leave:
- The model numbers of the new indoor and outdoor units
- Warranty details and what servicing the warranty needs
- The electrical certificate for the connection work
- An explanation of how to clean the filters and how often
Next step: tell an installer about the old unit
When you request a split system replacement quote, include:
- The make, model and rough age of the old unit, from the stickers on the indoor head and outdoor unit
- What went wrong, or why you want to replace it
- The size of the room, and whether it has changed since the unit went in
- Photos of the indoor head, the outdoor unit and the pipe cover between them
- Your suburb, and whether you want the new unit in the same spot
An installer can then tell you whether a straight changeover will work or whether something needs to move.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I install a different brand when I replace my split system?
Yes. The new indoor head and outdoor unit come as a matched pair from one manufacturer, so the brand of the old system does not limit you. A different brand may have a different bracket pattern or pipe size, which can affect what is reused.
- Should the replacement split be bigger than the old one?
Only if the old unit was too small or the room has grown. An installer should measure the room rather than copy the old unit's size. A unit that is too large can cost more to run, and one that is too small will not keep up on cold mornings.
- Can I take the old split system down myself to save money?
No. The refrigerant has to be recovered by a licensed technician before the unit is disconnected, and the electrical isolation is a job for a licensed electrician. Cutting the pipes releases refrigerant and can damage the outdoor unit.
- How long does a split system changeover take?
A like-for-like changeover in the same positions is often a day's work or less. Moving the units, running new pipes or changing the circuit can take longer. The installer will give a time when they quote.
- What happens to my old air conditioner after it is removed?
Ask the installer before you accept the quote. Many quotes include removal and disposal of the old indoor and outdoor units. Check that the refrigerant is recovered rather than vented and that the unit goes to a recycler or a metal collector.