How do you know if the indoor units can be kept?

We check for leaks at the indoor flare joints, inspect the fan coils and drain pans, and verify that the indoor units are still operating within normal parameters. If all checks pass, keeping them is a viable option.

Will the new outdoor unit be compatible with existing indoor units?

Compatibility depends on the model and refrigerant type. We verify this before recommending outdoor-only replacement. If the models are incompatible, full replacement becomes the only option.

Is outdoor-only replacement cheaper than a full system change?

Yes, typically by a significant margin. You save the cost of new indoor units plus the labour and materials for indoor installation. However, it only makes sense if the indoor units are in good condition.

LG Gas Leak Fixed by Replacing Outdoor Unit Only

Aircon case in Tampines, Singapore: cooling loss traced to refrigerant leak isolated to corroded outdoor unit pipe connections — indoor units unaffected after targeted diagnosis checks.

Case Details

Reported: My aircon has been losing cooling over the past few weeks. Another company came and said I need to replace everything — indoor and outdoor. It is going to cost a lot. I want a second opinion before I commit to that.
Unit: LG · Wall-mounted · 6 years old
Location: Condo · Tampines, Singapore

What We Checked

Refrigerant pressure was low, confirming active gas loss.
Indoor flare joints on all units showed no signs of leakage.
Indoor fan coils, filters, and drain pans were in good working condition for their age.
Outdoor unit pipe connections showed corrosion and green oxidation.
Bubble test confirmed active leak at the outdoor unit gas line connection.

The Diagnosis

The gas leak was confined to the corroded pipe connections at the outdoor unit. Moisture exposure over the years had weakened the joint seals at the connection points. The indoor units were not contributing to the refrigerant loss — their flare joints were intact and the fan coils showed normal wear for a unit of this age. The previous contractor had quoted full replacement without isolating the leak location.

What Fixed It

We confirmed the indoor units did not need replacement. The leak was isolated to the outdoor unit connections. We recommended replacing the outdoor unit with a compatible LG model, retaining the existing indoor units. This approach addressed the corroded connections while avoiding unnecessary cost. The homeowner chose outdoor-only replacement. We verified compatibility between the new outdoor unit and the existing indoor units before proceeding.

The outdoor unit was replaced. Existing indoor units were reconnected, the system was pressure-tested, and refrigerant was charged to specification. Cooling returned to normal across all rooms with no further gas loss.

Why This Happens

When outdoor-only replacement makes sense for gas leaks.

If the leak is confined to the outdoor unit connections and the indoor units are in good condition, replacing only the outdoor unit is a valid and cost-effective option.
Compatibility between the new outdoor unit and existing indoor units must be verified before proceeding.
Full system replacement is not always necessary — the decision depends on where the leak is and the condition of each component.
Getting a second opinion before committing to a full replacement can save significant cost when the fault is localised.

Same situation with your aircon?

Describe what’s happening. We’ll work out the likely cause and tell you the right next step.

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