Replacing 13 Yr Reverse Cycle 12kw Ducted Aircon System Do I Replace Ducts Also?

rsingh87 on 29/08/2025 - 14:06
Last edited 29/08/2025 - 19:14

My parents have a 12kw system that needs replacement, sometimes it doesn’t turn on or it seems to not get as cold as it was when new when it does work. The service person and another installer said the ducts are fine and we can just replace unit. It costs 9.5k to replace the unit with a Samsung 12kwh unit and 12.5k to replace it with a Samsung unit and replace all the ducts. Both installs also include the air touch 2 system.

My question is should I replace the ducting if it’s fine? If not how long will the ducting last usually? (There’s no skylights or anything so I doubt it gets in damage, and I don’t think animals have gotten inside)

Home & Garden Air Conditioner

Comments

  • Hybroid on 29/08/2025 - 14:19
    +6

    should I replace the ducting if it’s fine

    Just stop for a second and read this again.

    if it’s fine

    We can't tell you what condition YOUR ducting is in or whether it needs to be replaced or not. If the professional, who would usually want more work than less work, says it's fine, then maybe it's fine.

    There are better options than Samsung. For every product.

    • rsingh87 on 29/08/2025 - 17:43
      +2

      It’s because it’s a lot cheaper to change the ducts when they swap over the aircon so I’m trying to work out will they last another 10 years? It’s worth discussing I feel.

      What makes the other brands better options?

      • Hybroid on 29/08/2025 - 18:14
        +5

        Ducts can last 30+ years in good condition. No one here can tell you if yours will.

        Samsung’s poor customer service, warranty and ACL coverage is a major complaint in Australia and not worth considering.

      • Gareth on 30/08/2025 - 13:17

        It’s because it’s a lot cheaper to change the ducts when they swap over the aircon

        But it's still $3k.

        If the service guy and the guy quoting didn't think it was worth it, what do you know that makes spending any extra $3k a wise decision?

        • rsingh87 on 31/08/2025 - 12:34

          Yeah that’s true, what about the dampers for the zones how long do you think they last?

  • Stealtho on 29/08/2025 - 14:25
    -1

    $9.50 I would buy Samsung

  • Archi on 29/08/2025 - 14:44
    +1

    are you in sydney? if you are PM me, i can make a recommendation.

    i just got a similar sized system replaced, i got a daikin 12kw unit replaced, kept existing ducting and zoning for under 8K

    • rsingh87 on 29/08/2025 - 14:59

      That’s a good price am in Perth though. Does that include a smart controller? Also how much longer do you think your ducts will last?

      • Archi on 29/08/2025 - 16:06

        no smart controller.
        not sure how long ducts last. but if you change them i cant see the cost being that much more..
        as you already have the registers in place, you are just changing the the flexi ducts,

        • rsingh87 on 30/08/2025 - 08:51

          How old were your ducts? How long do you think will they last?

          • Archi on 01/09/2025 - 09:17

            @rsingh87: the previous owner had the system installed about 14 years ago

  • Malik Nasser on 29/08/2025 - 18:21
    +2

    12kwh Ducted Aircon System

    Nice! Where do you put the batteries

    • rsingh87 on 29/08/2025 - 19:15

      Whoops changed that

  • MartinESQ on 30/08/2025 - 07:31

    Is your system zoned? You will want individual temperature sensors in each zone to take advantage of the AirTouch system. Any reason they have quoted on an AirTouch 2 and not the current model AirTouch 5?

    • rsingh87 on 30/08/2025 - 08:50

      It’s just included in the quote you have to pay extra for air touch 5

  • Sunshines bright on 30/08/2025 - 09:21
    -1

    Samsung did not last. Poor quality i have fujitsu now
    QUOTE TO REPLACE EXISTING SAMSUNG 12KW DUCTED SYSTEM WITH 1 X FUJITSU ARTH45KHTA 12.5KW INVERTER DUCTED SYSTEM.EXISTING DUCTING,RETURN AIR,DRAINS AND ELECTRICAL WILL BE UTILISED.A NEW GATEWAY WILL BE SUPPLIED TO ALLOW EXISTING AIRTOUCH 5 SYSTEM TO BE UTILISED WITH NEW UNIT.

    1.00x 0.00

    0.00
    TOTAL FOR ABOVE WORKS INC GST WILL BE

    1.00x 8,900.00

    GST: 10%

    • exolocity on 30/08/2025 - 09:43

      Yeah a mate of mine who did aircon install and repair for a few years always said Fujitsu (or Daikin). I had no choice because Fujitsu were the only unit that fit in the roof space, mainly because of stock issues back then 😂

    • rsingh87 on 30/08/2025 - 10:44

      How old was the Samsung? Do you know what went wrong?

      • Sunshines bright on 02/09/2025 - 07:22

        Had a leak and installer said it was a known issue and common

  • Universal Constant on 30/08/2025 - 14:37

    Just be aware that rats in the roofspace can make a mess of ducting.

  • ozsave on 30/08/2025 - 16:54

    I did the same four years ago but some installers insisted they change all the ducting. I don't like creating waste for the sake of it - an inspection showed the ducting and vents were all ok and found someone to quote on that basis in Sydney. Used a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries compressor unit and heat exchanger.

    Cost of work -
    Supply and Replace 1 x MHI 14kw Ducted system FDUA series FDUA140AVNSXVG( indoor unit #
    FDUA140AVSXVG and outdoor unit # FDCA140VSX)+ replace S/A and R/A plenums+ 1 x wall controller (
    RC-EXZ3A) + apply Rust protection coating for outdoor unit + Material + Labor

    $6,489.00 incl GST
    Noted: reuse ducted works, trunking, and pipework
    Removal of A/C system to replace for free and all packaging from the new unit will be removed and
    disposed

    • rsingh87 on 30/08/2025 - 20:48

      How old were the ducts?

      • ozsave on 31/08/2025 - 11:10

        Maybe around 10 years.

        • rsingh87 on 31/08/2025 - 12:33

          What about the dampers for zones did they keep those? How long do you think they will last?

  • xylarr on 31/08/2025 - 19:06

    How does the zoning work? Do you want some kind of zone control? Can that be retrofitted? Does the existing ducting fit into any new zone control system?

    I have a friend who did a similar replacement. The old ducting was left in place because it would have been way too complex to pull it out - you would have had to pull down and replace the ceiling all throughout the home. He's ended up with just one zone for the whole place, which isn't ideal, but the zoning actuators and ducting can be attacked as a separate job (if at all) some time down the track.

    • rsingh87 on 31/08/2025 - 21:19

      They said if I keep the existing ducting, they can just reuse the existing zones with the new system, but I am concerned about reusing the dampers to open/close they will probably fail in a few years

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