Second Hand Air Conditioner: Everything You Need To Know Before Buying One

With the increased popularity of air conditioners, there are more and more new models released with innovative, upgraded technology on the market. While newer models are costly, a second hand air conditioner has become a reasonable choice for many who have a limited budget.

Advantages and disadvantages of using a second hand air conditioner

Before deciding to go with a used AC unit, there are a few things you have to know, the benefits and drawbacks of owning a second hand air conditioner.

Advantage

The one benefit of buying a used AC is that you won’t have to pay as much as buying a brand new one. You will likely pay just a third of the original cost, as low as Rs 12,000, even cheaper than some mid-range smartphones.

Things to consider

• Limited warranty coverage: for most used air conditioners, the warranty period has expired or will expire soon. Besides, the warranty may not cover all the problems but only some certain parts or issues of the unit.
• Not visually appealing: of course, a used air conditioner cannot look as shiny and beautiful as a new one. There may be scrape marks or dents on the unit, or the color has faded.
• Limited availability of spare parts: one common problem when you use a second hand air conditioner is that it’s harder to find a spare part when you need replacement. The reason for this could be that the production for that particular model has been reduced or canceled.
• High maintenance cost: as a result of limited warranty coverage, if you buy a product more than 2 years old, prepare for high maintenance costs.
• Installation cost: a new appliance is usually installed for free, but with a used unit, you have to either do it yourself or pay someone to do it for you.

How to choose 2nd air conditioner

Though there are more things to consider than benefits when it comes to buying a used air conditioner, it’s still worth a try if you cannot afford a new product. The next thing to do is knowing exactly what to do when choosing a second hand air conditioner.

Filters

The filter is one of the most important parts of an AC and this is the first thing you should check in a used unit. Useable filters must be well maintained and remain in good condition, show no signs of tear or wear, and free of dust accumulation.

Refrigerant levels

You must also check the refrigerant level of the AC. Low levels can cause overheating, which damages the unit’s compressor. In addition, an Ac with low refrigerant levels may consume more energy to cool down the room, increasing your electricity bill.

The older the unit, the lower the refrigerant levels. Therefore, remember to check if the refrigerant level of an AC is at optimal ranges and whether there is any hole or leak in the gas lines.

Energy consumption

How much energy an AC consumes determines how much you will pay for electricity. While newer or near-new models often require less energy, you should always check the energy consumption of the unit before deciding to buy it.

Noise level

A noisy AC is very irritating, especially if you use it when you sleep. It’s best if you can find a unit with a noise level lower than 50 dB.

Also, you should always browse through multiple models, make air conditioner comparison so that you could find the best one.

Second hand air conditioner suppliers

There are a bunch of second hand air conditioner dealers in India, but here are some online, popular sites where you can find a suitable used air conditioner for your house.

Quikr

This website offers used air conditioners of various brands with prices ranging from Rs 15,000 to nearly Rs 40,000. It even displays an “Assured” label for models with quality check, 1 year extended warranty, and 3-day replacement policy.

Indiamart

This is where you can find used air conditioners for only Rs 10,000 – Rs 12,000 or even cheaper. If you are confident with your understanding of these appliances, you can go to this site for super cheap options.

Olx

On this website, you will see a lot of used AC units with prices ranging from under Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000. It also lets you filter by location and price range so you can find the right model for your needs.

Air conditioning installation

Split systems are the most common type of air conditioner, and in this post, we will show you how to install a split system AC.

Step 1: Set up the indoor unit

You will have to make a hole on the wall to fit the pipes connecting the indoor and outdoor units, so choose the right location to set it up. Remember to avoid direct heat sources and direct sunlight. The indoor unit should be about 2.1 meters off the floor with at least 15-30 centimeters of open space on all of its sides for proper airflow.

Step 2: Secure the mounting plate on the wall

Now, press the mounting plate on the wall where you will install the indoor unit. Mark the locations of the screw holes with a pen or pencil, remove the plate, and drill a hole into the wall at the marked positions.

Step 3: Drill a 7.6cm hole in the wall to fit the pipes

Mark the center of the hole on the mounting plate, then drill a 7.6cm hole through the wall. Make sure it slopes downward slightly to the ground for drainage. Also make sure the other side of the wall is free of wires, pipes, etc.

Step 4: Check the electrical connections of the indoor unit

Lift the front panel, remove the cover. Check if the wires are connected to the screw terminals and whether the wiring matches the diagram.

Step 5: Run the cables and pipes through the hole, connect them to the unit

Secure the drainpipe, power cable, and copper pipes together using electrical tape. Now, the drain pipe must be put at the bottom so water can run freely. Run the cable and pipes through the hole and secure them to the pre-determined spot on the indoor unit.

Step 6: Secure the unit to the indoor mounting plate

Align the connections on the back of the indoor unit with those on the mounting plate, press firmly so that the unit is secured in place. You should make the unit tilt backward 2 to 3 degrees to let water flow through the drain pipe.

Step 7: The outdoor unit should be away from hot, dusty, heavily-trafficked areas.

The outdoor unit must be within 15 meters from the position of the door unit with at least 30 centimeters of space around its perimeter. You should also install the outdoor unit at a shady location away from traffic, dust, and wind.

Also, don’t place the unit directly on the ground, place a concrete pad under it or mount it on the wall.

Step 8: Check the outdoor unit’s electrical wiring

Take off the cover of the condenser, check if the wires are connected in accordance with the wiring diagram. Make adjustments if you need to.

Step 9: Connect the cable and piping to the outdoor unit

Secure the two copper pipes from the indoor to the outdoor unit using flare nuts. Then, connect the power cable running from the indoor to the outdoor unit.

Step 10: Bleed the humidity and air from the refrigerant circuit

Take off the caps from the 3-way, 2-way valves, and the service port. Next, connect the service port with a vacuum pump hose. Activate the vacuum until it reaches 10mm Hg, close the pressure knob then turn the vacuum off. Check for leaks at the valves and joints. Once you’re done with that, disconnect the vacuum and replace the caps and service port.

Step 11: Use clamps, affix the pipe to the wall.

Step 12: Seal the hole in the wall with polyurethane foam

So, this is basically the main information you should know before buying a second hand air conditioner. We talked about the benefit and things to consider about a used AC unit, how you can choose a reliable one, and where to buy one in India. We hope that this post will help you a lot in getting the right air conditioner for your house.

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