Reconditioned Aircon Unit: Is It Worth It?

We often hear about reconditioned appliances, may it be a refrigerator, television, or even computers. But what exactly is a reconditioned item? Is it worth buying? Is it even safe and durable? Let’s get to know what a reconditioned aircon unit is and the other facts about it, as well as the common questions that people would often ask when it comes to considering getting one: 

What is a reconditioned aircon?

A reconditioned aircon unit is one that has gone through an extensive refurbishment process to make it brand new again. This is done by replacing its compromised parts, components, and inner compartments. 

Reconditioned aircon units can last as long as new ones and they will also be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. The only difference is that reconditioned aircon units generally cost less than their brand new counterparts.

Is a reconditioned aircon better than a second-hand aircon?

The performance of an aircon unit is primarily determined by the number of components working in tandem to cool down your entire room. When anything fails, your cooling system will be compromised. It will not be able to provide you with cool air anymore and eventually break down completely.

A reconditioned aircon unit is a fantastic value for money, but do not think twice about purchasing a new aircon unit when your old one breaks down either. You can enjoy all the perks that come along with owning a brand-name aircon unit at half the price in no time.

Advantages of buying a second-hand aircon unit:

1) It is cheaper to buy a second-hand aircon unit compared to buying a brand new one

You can save up to half of the price or more depending on the year it was manufactured. Most brands today have a good resale value. Even if you get an old model, it’s not hard to find parts and repairmen who can fix them for relatively cheap costs.

2) It saves energy 

Unlike what most people think, old aircon units consume less power than modern ones.

Did you know that a 2-Star aircon unit from the ’80s consumes only 300W, while a 3 1/2 star aircon unit from today consumes approximately 500W? This is because several factors contribute to energy consumption: power supply voltage, technology, the efficiency of the compressor, and design. The older the models that use steel plate heat exchangers such as shell & tube, the chances are it uses less electricity if it doesn’t suffer from overloading. If overloading happens, there might be a chance that internal components may get damaged and need repairs or replacement depending on how bad it was overloaded.

3) It’s cheaper to maintain 

Aside from the fact that most parts do not cost too much compared to the price of a brand new aircon unit, repairs are also cheaper. A new compressor will be more costly compared to the new ones. Other things you can expect to get fixed or replaced are fan motors, condenser coils, valves, gauges, hoses, electrical wiring.

4) It is more environmentally friendly than buying a new one

Smaller ozone-depleting CFCs were phased out in the 90s which means it has less environmental impact compared to modern appliances that still use harmful refrigerants like R-22. The chances of finding old units with low power consumption are higher due to low insulation and metal parts, which means lesser energy waste. CFCs are a big part of ozone depletion and contribute to global warming.

5) It is more reliable compared to modern aircon due to the technology used

Modern aircon units have digital components that can be prone to failure especially with power surges or blackouts, something that old appliances usually do not experience as often as these kinds of components were still analog during those times. Digital circuitry has a higher chance for failure compared to mechanical circuits, especially if exposed to humidity/water damage from rain or flooding.

Disadvantages of buying a second-hand aircon unit:

1) Old aircon units are usually not energy star compliant

This means they don’t comply with federal standards for energy efficiency in appliances and you might suffer from higher electricity costs compared to new models that use less power when in idle mode or in max cool mode.

Pro 338 Note: A 10-year old aircon unit will most likely have an EER (energy efficiency ratio) of 6-7 while brand new units today can go as high as 12+ EERs, depending on the model. This means that your monthly electricity bill might almost double if you buy an older aircon unit instead of purchasing a brand new aircon unit.

New aircon units might have an option to switch to energy-saving mode if the temperature is not being used using the remote control, but with old models, this has no effect because they are usually locked in cooling mode unless you do manual adjustment of the thermostat settings.

2) Old aircon unit use steel plate heat exchangers

This means that they are prone to rust, replacement parts for these kinds of components are usually more expensive compared to modern types especially magnetic metal core boards that were introduced in the late ’90s.

Pro 338 Note: Part availability is also another factor for this type of aircon issue because most suppliers nowadays only deal in new parts, while some suppliers still sell refurbished or tested parts out.

3) Old aircon units are not as efficient when the compressor starts up 

Since they use mechanical compressors that can’t match the efficiency of modern rotary ones, modern rotary compressors on the other hand, usually bleed off excess pressure until it reaches optimal levels before compression starts. This means less power is wasted when starting up, but more energy will be used once you start using the aircon unit.

4) Old aircon units are usually heavier than new models

This will lead to longer installation time and additional manual labor costs since most new units today use cast aluminum frames for their components while old aircon units still have steel bars. Newer versions of aircon units also have stronger outer shells which makes them very durable to older versions that might crack or break when falling from heights.

Here are some important questions to ask before you totally decide as to whether or not you’ll go for a second-hand aircon unit or not :

The decision to purchase a reconditioned aircon unit or a second-hand aircon unit depends largely on your needs and budget. Take a look at some points in choosing or consult an affordable Singapore aircon installation company about it:

1) If price is one of your primary concerns

You might want to go for a reconditioned aircon unit as these are cheaper than new ones. However, this does not mean that you’re compromising the quality. It’s because most of the time, they often come with a warranty that covers one or two years depending on what type of warranty the company provides. 

2) Used aircon units do not come with a warranty

This is true unless it’s sold together with its original manufacturer parts which significantly increases the price tag. In addition, some manufacturers only provide limited repairs for their products within their warranties period hence, if you will opt for a used aircon unit that is out of warranty, you might have to go for more expensive ones from the same brand or buy different brands altogether.

3) Efficiency of aircon performance

There’s no significant difference between new and reconditioned aircon units because both types are made with the latest technology and materials. This means that they can produce cool and warm air at about the same speed and power consumption.

4) It’s durability

Second-hand aircon units do not last as long as new ones because they were already used before by their previous owners hence, they may already experience damages like leakages even though you’re buying them from reputable sellers.

On the other hand, reconditioned models come with high-quality parts and components, and most of the time, they do not experience damages or at least less than second-hand aircon units.

5) Is the aircon unit already leaking? 

If you buy an aircon unit only to find out that it’s already leaking, then that will be a waste of money and effort. You might as well just use that money to buy a new one instead of buying a second-hand aircon unit. So make sure there aren’t any leaks first before you buy anything.

6) Are all parts intact and working?  

As it has been said, make sure the aircon unit is still in great shape and everything works fine with it before deciding to purchase it. Look for dents or cracks on the body of the aircon unit, especially around its hinges since this can affect the cooling capacity of the aircon unit.

7) Can I get spare parts for it?

Another important thing to ask is whether or not they have original spare parts for it. Ask them where you can get replacements in case anything happens to your second-hand aircon unit down the road. Because if they tell you that they don’t have any of that you can’t get replacement parts for it, then don’t waste your time and money on it.

8) Is the aircon unit still under warranty?

If it’s already out of warranty, then that’s a problem. You don’t want to buy something that is not under warranty because you wouldn’t feel safe if there are problems with the unit later on. Plus, warranties are really helpful when you need repairs or parts replacement so make sure that this will still be covered by an official warranty before you sign off on any documents.

9) What’s the energy efficiency rating of this aircon unit? 

This will tell you how much power the aircon unit uses. An efficient aircon unit is a more economical choice since your monthly electric bill won’t be as high as it would if you use a less efficient one. So make sure to ask them about this first before buying.

10) Can I test it?

The last thing you want is to buy an aircon unit that doesn’t work properly when you get home. If the seller doesn’t let you take it back to your place for a short while, then ask around which stores will let you do this so that at least you can check if everything works well before leaving.

What can you expect in a reconditioned aircon unit?

A refurbished aircon unit will look, operate and feel just like it was brand new. A reconditioned aircon unit undergoes thorough testing by the best singapore aircon servicing company to ensure that every component is working properly before it hits the market. All aircon units are also covered under the manufacturer’s warranty so you don’t have to worry about costly repairs anytime soon.

How much cheaper is a reconditioned aircon unit than its brand new counterpart?

Reconditioned aircon units will cost up to 40% less than their original price compared to buying a brand new one, which costs twice as much. This makes them great affordable alternatives to new aircon units.

What else do I need to consider before buying a reconditioned aircon unit? 

Reconditioning makes most models up to 25% more efficient than their original performance so they consume less electricity compared to when it was first bought. This makes reconditioned aircon unit an affordable and efficient option for all.

Reconditioned aircon units are fantastic value for money, but do not have to think twice about purchasing a new one when your old aircon unit breaks down. You will be able to enjoy cool comfort while saving up with every cooling cycle.

Is it safe to buy a reconditioned aircon unit?

Reconditioned aircon units undergo a stringent quality control process that ensures that they are as good as new. The only difference is the discounted price tag.

How does one check for originality of reconditioned aircon units?

All reconditioned aircon units will have their brand name, model, and serial number on each unit so you can rest easy knowing this is an officially licensed product from the manufacturer. 

What are the common parts refurbished for a reconditioned aircon unit?

The following aircon parts are replaced for a reconditioned aircon unit:

Fan Motor or Blower Assembly

The blower motor is the key component of any aircon unit or heating unit. An electrical transformer passes electricity to a contactor circuit, then finally to the blower motor, which then pushes air through the vents in your aircon unit. The blower motor is the heart of any aircon unit or heating system, so it makes sense to keep it in tip-top shape.

Electronic Control Board or PCB

The part of your aircon unit that controls the working temperature.

Expansion Valve Coil

The expansion valve removes pressure from the liquid refrigerant to allow expansion or change of state from a liquid to a vapor in the evaporator. 

Dryer Compressor

Acts as a filter and helps trap debris and other contaminants that may be inside the aircon unit.

Condenser Coil Evaporator

The part of the aircon unit where the refrigerant absorbs heat. That is, it’s where the cold air comes from.

Relay Thermostat

Thermostat relays enable control of high voltage 120V or 240V baseboard or similar heating, from a low voltage thermostat or controller. Some thermostat relays can also convert the 120/240V supply voltage into a 24VAC output to power the thermostat.

The above parts are essential to making an aircon unit work. Every time you turn on your aircon unit, it is these components that give life to the cold air that you feel. When any one of them fails, your entire aircon unit will be compromised and it will not be able to output cool air anymore and eventually break down completely.

This is why it is important for these components to be serviced regularly so as to ensure optimum performance throughout the lifespan of your aircon unit.

It’s always a good time to talk about the common issues that aircon units have. This way, you’ll be able to spot if there are problems with your unit or not and prepare for its replacement accordingly. If you require our aircon servicing services, Whatsapp us at +65 9222 4141 for a fast and transparent quote.

338 Aircon Servicing Singapore provides an extensive range of Aircon Services including Aircon Servicing, Aircon Repairs, Aircon Installation of the best aircon brands, Chemical Overhaul, Gas Top-up, Aircon Leaking Water, and Aircon Not Cold Fix, and more. We have a team of professional technicians who are equipped with vast knowledge and experience in the Aircon industry. 

We have over 15 years of experience in dealing with aircon works and have completed thousands of aircon works for both residential (Landed, Condo, and HDB) and commercial. We are a highly recommended Aircon Company in Singapore, with many delighted customers and reviews over the years on Google and Facebook.

WhatsApp us at +65 9222 4141 for a transparent quotation and honest pricing for all your aircon needs or Call us at +65 9222 4141. We offer a fast and efficient service to serve any of your aircon needs!