Old unit removed New R32 system fitted
Replacing an AC Unit: Old System Out, R32 In
Replacing your AC unit with Aircova costs the same as a new install, from £2,195 with VAT, for homes across London and the South East. The price includes taking away the old unit, with its refrigerant recovered by an F gas engineer. Most single rooms are swapped over in one day.
- Old unit removal included
- F-Gas certified engineers
- Prices include VAT
Prices last checked: October 2026
Like for like, or better
What does replacing an AC unit involve?
Replacing an AC unit means taking out the old indoor and outdoor units, recovering their refrigerant, and fitting a new R32 system. Aircova does the whole job for one fixed price, including removal and recycling of the old equipment, the new pipe connections, commissioning and warranty registration.
- A free survey to check the old system, the wall, the pipe route and your fuse board
- Refrigerant recovered from the old system by an F gas engineer, never vented
- Old indoor and outdoor units taken away for recycling
- A new inverter indoor unit and outdoor unit, sized for the room
- New or flushed pipework, plus a fresh condensate drain connection
- Nitrogen pressure test, vacuum, commissioning and a written record
Most people replace an old system for one of three reasons. It has stopped working, it keeps leaking gas, or it runs on a refrigerant that is getting hard to buy. The new unit usually sits in the same spot as the old one. That keeps the outside of your home tidy and the job short.
You do not have to keep the same layout. A replacement is a good moment to add a second room, move a unit away from a bed, or choose a quieter model. We talk this through at the survey before we quote.
The fitting standard is the same as our air conditioning installation for homes with no system at all. The only extra work is the safe removal of the old kit, and that is already in the price.
Signs to look for
Repair or replace? Signs it is time for a new unit
A home air conditioning unit usually lasts 10 to 15 years with yearly servicing. Past that age, one big repair can cost a large share of a new system. The new one will also be quieter and cheaper to run.
Age of 10 to 15 years
Check the date on the outdoor unit label
Compressors and fan motors wear out with use. Once a system reaches this age, parts get harder to source and each fault costs more to fix.
R22 refrigerant
Mostly systems fitted before the mid 2000s
R22 damages the ozone layer and can no longer be used to refill systems in the UK. If an R22 unit loses its gas, a new system is the only real fix.
Repeated leaks
More than one regas in two years
A system that keeps losing gas often has corroded coils or tired joints. Fixing one leak can expose the next, so the costs keep adding up.
New noises
Rattles, grinding or loud start-ups
Worn bearings and failing fan motors get louder over time. Modern indoor units run from about 19dB in quiet mode, far below many older models.
Higher bills
Same use, more electricity
Dirty coils, low gas and older fixed-speed compressors all use more power for the same cooling. Rising bills with no change in use is a clear warning.
Weak cooling or heating
The room never reaches the set point
If the unit runs all day and the room stays warm in summer or cold in winter, it may be undersized or failing. A survey tells you which.
| Situation | Usually repair | Usually replace |
|---|---|---|
| Unit age | Under about 8 years | 10 to 15 years or more |
| Refrigerant | R32 or R410A | R22 |
| Gas leaks | One leak, found and fixed | Repeated leaks or a corroded coil |
| Fault | Sensor, fan, PCB or drain | Failed compressor out of warranty |
| Running costs | Steady after a service | Still high after a service |
Not sure yet? If your unit is under ten years old, start with a diagnostic visit. Our air conditioning repair team finds the fault and quotes before any work. We only suggest a new system when the numbers point that way.
Fixed prices
Replacing AC unit cost, with removal included
Air conditioning replacement costs the same as a new install at Aircova. Removal of the old unit and recovery of its gas are included. A single room starts from £2,195 and two rooms from £3,995, with VAT.
One room
Swap one old wall unit and its outdoor unit for a new R32 system.
from£2,195
Fitted, VAT included
- New 2.5kW wall-mounted unit
- Old unit removed and recycled
- Up to 3m of pipework
- Usually done in one day
Two rooms
Replace two old units, or move to one multi-split outdoor unit.
from£3,995
Fitted, VAT included
- Two indoor units, one outdoor unit
- Old equipment removed and recycled
- Separate control in each room
- Usually fitted in two days
Three rooms
Replace an older multi-room system with one new R32 outdoor unit.
from£5,495
Fitted, VAT included
- Three indoor units, one outdoor unit
- Old equipment removed and recycled
- Usually fitted in two to three days
- Wi-Fi control from your phone
Larger single rooms cost from £2,395 for 3.5kW, £2,695 for 5.0kW and £2,995 for 7.0kW. Old ducted systems are priced after a survey, starting from £6,995 for a new ducted unit serving two to three rooms.
Across the UK, a fitted single room system usually costs £1,500 to £3,200, with London at the top end. Your replacing AC unit cost depends on four things. These are the unit size, the brand, the state of the old pipework, and access outside. Scaffolding, a pipe run over 3 metres or a consumer unit upgrade are priced at the survey, in writing.
Want the full picture first? Our guide to air conditioning installation cost breaks prices down by room, brand and kW. When you are ready, you can get an instant quote online in about two minutes.
F gas rules
R410A to R32: what the F gas rules mean
Since 2025, new single split systems holding less than 3kg of refrigerant cannot be placed on the market if their gas has a global warming potential (GWP) above 750. That is set out in the government guidance on F gas bans in new equipment.
The ban covers new equipment only. If you have an R410A system that works, it is still legal to service and repair it. The catch is supply. R410A is an HFC under the UK phase down, so gas and parts are likely to get scarcer and dearer.
An R410A unit cannot simply be filled with R32. The two gases run at different pressures and use different oils. So the R410A to R32 upgrade means new indoor and outdoor units. Your old pipework may still be usable, which we cover below.
How much more efficient is a new unit?
Modern inverter units vary their compressor speed instead of switching on and off. Many reach A++ for cooling, which means a SEER of at least 6.1. In winter, a SCOP around 4 gives about 3 to 4 kW of heat per kW of electricity. A ten year old unit, especially a fixed-speed one, will usually use noticeably more power for the same comfort. The exact saving depends on the old model, so we never promise a figure.
Existing pipework
Can your existing pipework be reused?
Often, yes. Reusing pipework can save time and avoid new holes or trunking, especially where pipes run inside walls or ceilings. It only works when the old copper is the right size, thick enough and clean inside.
Manufacturers set strict conditions. The pipe must be dry, clean and leak free, and the old oil must not be dirty or burnt. Where it is reused, we flush the pipe to clear old oil and remake every flare with new flare nuts. Then we pressure test with nitrogen and pull a deep vacuum.
When old pipes can stay
- R410A pipe of the right size
- Holds nitrogen pressure
- Clean oil, no burnout
- Pipe run within the new unit’s limits
- R22 pipe with dirty or burnt oil
- Thin wall or kinked copper
- Damaged insulation outside
- Wrong size for the new unit
If the old compressor burnt out, acid and debris can stay in the pipe, so we fit new copper. The same goes for a pipe route that is ugly or in the wrong place. Either way, you see the choice and its price before the day.
On the day
What happens on replacement day?
A single room replacement is usually a one day job of five to seven hours. Two or three rooms on a multi-split take two to three days. These are the steps we follow every time.
- Protect the room. We cover floors and furniture, and isolate the power to the old system.
- Recover the gas. An F gas engineer pumps the refrigerant into a recovery cylinder, never into the air.
- Remove the old units. Indoor unit, outdoor unit and bracket come off, and we check the wall.
- Prepare the pipework. We flush and test the old pipe, or run new insulated copper.
- Fit the new system. New indoor and outdoor units go up, with fresh flares and a condensate drain.
- Test and commission. Nitrogen pressure test, vacuum, gas released, then cooling and heating checked.
- Handover. We show you the controls, register the warranty and take the old kit away.
What happens to your old unit
Air conditioning fitted to a building must have its F gas recovered by a qualified person before it is scrapped. The government rules on recovering F gas also require a registered waste carrier to move it. We take the recovered gas for reclaim or disposal and send the metal and electronics for recycling.
Choosing the new system
One old unit
Like for like swap
Most single room replacements go back as one indoor and one outdoor unit in the same places.
Compare sizes for wall-mounted air conditioning.
Several old units
Fewer boxes outside
Two or three old outdoor units can often become one, with each room keeping its own control.
See how a multi-split system works.
Old ducted system
Hidden in the ceiling or loft
We check the existing ductwork and grilles, and reuse them where they are clean and sound.
Read about ducted air conditioning.
Every new unit we fit also heats your home as an air-to-air heat pump. That can cut the use of panel heaters in winter. Unsure about the size? Our BTU calculator gives a guide from your room size.
Brands we fit as replacements
We register the new system so you get the manufacturer warranty, up to 5 years and longer on some ranges with yearly servicing. Book an air conditioning service each year to keep it valid. Prefer to talk it through first? Request your replacement price and we reply within one working day.
FAQs
Air conditioning replacement FAQs
How much does it cost to replace an AC unit in the UK?
A single room replacement usually costs about the same as a new install. That is £1,500 to £3,200 across the UK, with London at the top end. At Aircova, replacing an AC unit starts from £2,195 for one room and £3,995 for two rooms, with VAT. Removal of the old unit and recovery of its refrigerant are included in that price.
How long do air conditioning units last?
Most home split systems last 10 to 15 years. Yearly servicing, clean filters and a well placed outdoor unit help them reach the top of that range. Units on a coastal or polluted site, or ones that run hard all year, tend to wear out sooner. Past 10 years, it is worth comparing any big repair quote with the price of a new system.
Is R410A being banned in the UK?
No, not for existing systems. Since 2025, new single split systems under 3kg of refrigerant cannot use a gas with a GWP above 750. That rules out R410A on those new units. You can still service and repair an R410A system you already have. Supply is shrinking under the HFC phase down, so gas and parts are likely to cost more over time.
Can I put R32 gas in my R410A air conditioner?
No. R32 and R410A run at different pressures and need different oils and components, so an R410A unit must not be filled with R32. Moving to R32 means fitting a new indoor and outdoor unit. The good news is that clean R410A pipework of the right size can often be reused after flushing and testing.
Can I replace just the outdoor unit?
Usually not. Indoor and outdoor units are designed as a matched pair. A new R32 outdoor unit will not work with an old R410A or R22 indoor unit. Swapping only one half also leaves the older part as the next thing to fail. We replace both units together, which keeps the manufacturer warranty valid.
What happens to my old air conditioning unit?
We take it away for you. First, an F gas engineer recovers the refrigerant into a cylinder so none escapes. The gas goes for reclaim or disposal, and the metal, copper and circuit boards go for recycling through licensed routes. Removal and recycling are included in our replacement price, so there is no separate charge.
Do I need permission to replace an existing air conditioning unit?
Often not, if the new unit goes in the same place and looks much the same. A new position, a larger outdoor unit or a flat may change that. Flats usually need freeholder or managing agent consent, and listed buildings or conservation areas may need council consent. We check this at the survey and tell you in writing.
Should I replace my air conditioning in winter?
Winter is often the best time. Installers are less busy from October to March, so you can choose your date, and your new unit starts heating your home straight away. If your old system failed at the end of summer, replacing it before spring means it is ready before the first heatwave books everyone up.
Get your fixed price
Tell us about your old system and we will call you with a fixed replacement price, removal included. No pressure and no obligation.
- Reply within one working day
- Free home survey
- Price confirmed in writing
Prefer to talk? Call 07403 664179
Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm
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