Repair or replace

What the sources say on the side of repair

Faults are worth fixing

In bench tests for the federal energy department, common faults such as a blocked condenser or evaporator and the wrong amount of refrigerant caused average energy losses of between 14% and 20% in most tests. Several faults at once raised energy use substantially and made failure highly likely if they were not addressed. The department’s conclusion was that regular maintenance is likely to reduce what faults add to energy use and running costs.

The refrigerant is not running out

The national phase-down of HFC refrigerants does not affect equipment already in Australia, and the National Environmental Protection Agency says HFCs for servicing existing equipment will remain available. Its summary for households: “There will be no direct changes for consumers.”

For equipment designed for an HCFC refrigerant, the agency’s charging rules allow it to be charged with an HFC, and give replacing R22 with R427A as an example. A change of refrigerant type may void the warranty or affect insurance, so the agency suggests asking the technician and checking with the manufacturer and your insurer. Entry 03 covers the refrigerant rules in full.

What the sources say on the side of replacing

Newer units can use much less energy

energy.gov.au puts it directly: “Upgrading older appliances and technology with newer, energy-efficient ones will reduce your energy use and save you money.” Your Home says inverter systems of advanced design can use 40 per cent less energy than standard units, or better. The NSW Government’s energy site says efficient reverse-cycle systems use much less energy than older models.

An old star rating may not compare

Every air conditioner must meet the minimum energy performance standards set by the Australian Government. The star rating formulas are reviewed and changed as more efficient models arrive, so Energy Rating warns that stars on newer models may not be comparable with stars on models bought a long time ago. So an old unit’s stars may tell you little when set beside a new label.

Price is only part of the cost

A more efficient model might cost a little more to buy, energy.gov.au says, but a less efficient one could cost more in the long run.

Putting a number on it

Energy Rating gives a simple formula for a year’s running cost: total energy consumption in kilowatt hours, multiplied by your electricity tariff in dollars per kilowatt hour. Your tariff is on your electricity bill. On a new unit’s Zoned Energy Rating Label, the estimated yearly energy use for each climate zone sits to the right of the stars, cooling in blue and heating in red. For an old unit with no comparable label, Energy Rating says you need the power rating, in watts or kilowatts, of both the old and the new appliance, plus your tariff.

The last line follows energy.gov.au, which suggests multiplying a year’s cost by 10, the average number of years most major appliances last before they are replaced. Your real figures will differ: Energy Rating notes that actual annual energy use may vary from the label.

If you do replace it

A system that is too large or too small for the space uses energy unnecessarily and costs more over time, according to Your Home. It says installation needs a technician holding a refrigerant handling licence, who can also advise on what size suits.

When the old unit goes

Improper disposal is one of the two sources of refrigerant leaks the National Environmental Protection Agency names. At the end of a product’s life, it says, the refrigerant should be removed by a licensed technician for recycling or disposal. Decommissioning the equipment is itself work that needs a refrigerant handling licence. In New South Wales, the Government’s energy site says to recycle the old unit and to ask your retailer or find local drop-off and pick-up points.