Age
Many commercial chillers are replaced at around 20 to 25 years, but age alone does not decide it. A well-maintained machine can run longer, and a neglected one can fail much earlier. Age matters most when combined with the factors below.
Refrigerant
Chillers running on R22 are the clearest case. Australia has phased out imports of R22 for new equipment, so servicing them depends on a shrinking supply of recovered gas, and a major leak can make a repair uneconomic overnight. Newer refrigerants are also being phased down, so ask what any replacement will use and how long it will be supported.
Repair history
Look at what has been spent on the chiller over the last three to five years and what is coming. One compressor rebuild on an otherwise sound machine is normal. Repeated failures of the same component, parts that are no longer made, or a quote for a major repair that approaches the cost of a new chiller all point towards replacement.
Energy use and ratings
Chiller efficiency has improved a lot, especially at part load, where chillers spend most of their hours. If the building has a NABERS Energy target or high power bills, an energy comparison between the existing and a new chiller can change the answer. Your specialist can estimate it from run hours and load.
Timing and lead times
New commercial chillers can take months to arrive, and replacements need crane lifts, shutdowns and commissioning. The worst time to decide is after the chiller fails in January. If your chiller is near the end of its life, get a replacement price now even if you keep repairing for another season.
Get both prices
The simplest way to decide is to compare the cost of the repair, plus the likely repairs over the next few years, with the cost of replacement and the energy it would save. A specialist can price both from one site visit.
Chiller replacement
End-of-life, R22 and inefficient chillers replaced, from selection and crane lift to commissioning. See chiller replacement →
Updated 2 November 2026. General information only; your specialist will advise on your plant.