Air conditioning replacement and upgrades
Replace ageing R22 and R410A equipment with efficient, lower-GWP systems. Free survey for mainland installations, and a fixed written quote.
- Free site survey and fixed written quote
- Unit sizes, refrigerant and price set out in writing
- Work planned around your opening hours
What does air conditioning replacement involve?
Air conditioning replacement is removing an old system — often one using R22 or R410A refrigerant — and installing new, more efficient equipment, re-using pipework where it is safe and compatible. Upgrades cut running costs, improve reliability and move the business onto refrigerants with a lower global warming potential.
Budget roughly £1,650–£4,450 per indoor unit ex VAT in the UK. For a typical job — replacing a 3–4 unit system, re-using sound pipework — expect £5,950–£14,500 plus VAT.
Many commercial buildings still run air conditioning installed 15 or 20 years ago. Systems on R22 can no longer be topped up with R22 for servicing in the UK, and older R410A units are less efficient than current equipment and use a refrigerant facing tighter supply as the HFC phase-down continues.
We survey what is there, check whether pipework can be re-used (it depends on its condition, size and the new refrigerant), and plan the swap so you are without cooling for as short a time as possible. Old refrigerant is recovered and the equipment disposed of properly.
Where it suits
- R22 systems that cannot be topped up
- Repeatedly failing equipment
- High running costs
- Systems over 12–15 years old
- Refurbishments and new tenants
- Businesses reducing emissions
What is included
- Condition survey of the existing system
- Pipework re-use assessment, flushing where suitable
- Refrigerant recovery with waste transfer documentation
- Removal and disposal of old equipment
- Installation of new efficient units
- Commissioning and new F-gas records
How the work is carried out
Survey
We record what is installed, its condition and refrigerant, and what can be re-used.
Plan the swap
Removal and installation are scheduled to keep downtime short.
Recover and remove
Refrigerant is recovered into certified cylinders and the old units removed.
Install and commission
New units are fitted, tested and commissioned with fresh records.
Replacement and upgrades prices
National guide prices for 2026. Local pages show prices adjusted for each region.
| Item | Guide price (ex VAT) | Inc VAT | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Like-for-like split replacement | £1,650–£3,450 | £1,980–£4,140 | per system |
| Cassette replacement | £2,150–£4,450 | £2,580–£5,340 | per unit |
| Refrigerant recovery and disposal | £195–£595 | £234–£714 | per system |
| Pipework flush and test (re-use) | £195–£595 | £234–£714 | per circuit |
Ex VAT, supply and install.
New pipework, where existing runs cannot be re-used, is priced after survey.
Typical job: replacing a 3–4 unit system, re-using sound pipework — £5,950–£14,500 plus VAT.
Things to plan for
R22
Since 1 January 2015, R22 systems cannot be maintained using virgin or recycled R22. If one leaks, the practical fix is usually replacement.
Pipe re-use
Re-use depends on pipe size, condition, cleanliness and the new refrigerant. We test before relying on it.
Downtime
We schedule the swap to keep the space usable, often over a weekend.
Disposal
Old refrigerant must be recovered by certified engineers and the units disposed of as waste electrical equipment.
Questions about replacement and upgrades
Is it illegal to use R22 air conditioning?
No — you can keep running an R22 system, but it cannot be maintained with virgin or recycled R22, so most repairs involving the refrigerant circuit are no longer possible.
Can existing pipework be re-used?
Often, if it is the right size, in good condition and compatible with the new refrigerant. We test and flush it before relying on it.
Will a new system be cheaper to run?
Usually. Modern inverter systems are considerably more efficient than equipment from 15–20 years ago, though savings depend on use.
What happens to the old refrigerant?
It is recovered into certified cylinders and sent for reclamation or destruction, with the paperwork kept on your records.
Should we replace R410A systems now?
Not necessarily. If an R410A system is working well and maintained, keep it. Plan replacement when it becomes unreliable or expensive to run.
Replacement and upgrades near you
Choose your county or region for local guide prices and the towns we cover.
England
- Bedfordshire
- Berkshire
- Bristol
- Buckinghamshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Cheshire
- Cornwall
- County Durham
- Cumbria
- Derbyshire
- Devon
- Dorset
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- East Sussex
- Essex
- Gloucestershire
- Greater Manchester
- Hampshire
- Herefordshire
- Hertfordshire
- Isle of Wight
- Kent
- Lancashire
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- London
- Merseyside
- Norfolk
- North Yorkshire
- Northamptonshire
- Northumberland
- Nottinghamshire
- Oxfordshire
- Rutland
- Shropshire
- Somerset
- South Yorkshire
- Staffordshire
- Suffolk
- Surrey
- Tyne and Wear
- Warwickshire
- West Midlands
- West Sussex
- West Yorkshire
- Wiltshire
- Worcestershire
Scotland
What happens next
Tell us what you need
Use the form, the quote tool, live chat or call us. A postcode and the type of premises is enough to start.
Survey or visit
For mainland installations we survey free of charge. Service and repair visits, and travel to remote locations, are priced before we book.
Written quote
You get the specification, the price and the programme in writing, including any landlord or planning points.
Work and handover
We install, service or repair around your hours, then hand over the commissioning and F-gas records.
Tell us about your premises
Send a few details and we will arrange a survey or call you back with a guide price.