A 12 year old split is old enough that parts, condition and the refrigerant generation matter more than the date. Keep it if it still cools, holds its charge, and can be serviced. Price a new surveyed split if the compressor has failed or a leak keeps returning, because a major repair can approach replacement and you still own the old outdoor unit. R410A to R32 is not a gas swap. Have an F-gas company diagnose first. A visit to do that is often in the low hundreds or less in 2026 illustrations, which is an illustration, not a tariff.
Boards, coils and the gas on the label
Boards, fan motors and coils from that generation are harder to match, and some makers have stopped routine parts. A unit that is quiet, clean and tight can still be the right machine to keep. A unit that has been iced, leaked, or ignored is a poor candidate for an expensive part. Systems of this age are often on an older refrigerant. The engineer should identify the gas from the label and say whether a repair charge is still a lawful, practical option. Changing the gas to R32 in the old pair is not a repair method.
Both prices once the fault is known
Diagnosis first. The 2026 illustration for a straightforward callout sits in the low hundreds or less. Parts and refrigerant sit on top, and a compressor or a long leak search can land near the cost of a new single-room install. Ask for both numbers in writing once the fault is known. Replacement also includes recovery of the old refrigerant, disposal, and making good if the new pipes take a different route. Leaving those off the cheap price is how the old unit stays on the wall. The new warranty belongs to the new install, registered by the company that commissions it.
Frequently asked questions
Should every 12 year old split be replaced?
No. If it cools, holds its charge and can still be serviced, keep it. Replace when the compressor has failed, a leak returns, or the part cannot be had.
Will a gas change modernise the old unit?
No. R410A to R32 is not a gas swap. Modern refrigerant goes into a new matched indoor and outdoor unit.
Is a cheap repair worth it on an old system?
A named, modest part can be. A repair that costs most of a new install, on a system with no further parts promise, is the moment to compare a full replacement price.
Can the old copper stay with the new pair?
Reuse old copper only when the new manual allows that diameter, the pipe is clean, and it is pressure tested. Flushing, if it is required, is an engineer job.
Does a new condenser on the old wall skip a planning check?
A new outdoor unit in England still needs a Planning Portal check for position and noise, even on a wall that already held a condenser.
What if the maker has stopped routine parts?
Parts availability is a fact to ask about, not a guess from age. If the part cannot be had, that is a replacement conversation even when the rest of the unit looks familiar.
Core buying guides
Start with these high-intent guides, then dig into the rest of the library.
Related guides
Sources and further reading
How this guide was prepared
This guide was written by the Local AC Installers Editorial Team. We compare official guidance, legislation and established consumer information, separate general information from project-specific advice, and show publication dates and sources. We do not accept installer accreditation claims at face value.