The cost of relocating an air conditioner is a "basic removal and installation fee" plus "items added according to the site"; there is no single price across Taiwan. Take the "installation and construction fee explanation" announced on LG's official online store as an example. It is the extra construction charge schedule for buying a new unit from that store (the page shows the date 2023-12-15, the price-list image file name contains 20260519, and the image's update date is not confirmed; the page notes "only for purchases from the LG online store" and says it is for reference only; the relocation fee field for window type is marked "done together with a new unit"): for split type (分離式), relocating within the same location is NT$1,000 plus the basic installation fee, and to a different location NT$1,500 plus the basic installation fee (floor and cross-district charges extra); for window-type relocation in place (including removal and installation), it is NT$1,500 to NT$2,500 depending on capacity. The page does not say whether these prices apply to relocating an existing air conditioner on its own. Copper pipe beyond the basic 5 m, drain pipe, brackets, hazardous work (by floor), a crane and so on are all charged separately. For the relocation process, excerpts from manufacturers' manuals mention refrigerant recovery, evacuation and leak checking; details are in the next section.
This article cites only one public price list; it is not the market rate and not an average. For prices of standard air conditioner installation and cleaning, see Price list for air conditioner cleaning, installation and maintenance in Taipei and New Taipei.
The relocation process: how the manuals describe it
Below are excerpts from two manuals, from 格力 and 聲寶; they are not the complete relocation sequence of any one manual. The complete sequence is this article's own arrangement, the manuals are written differently, and the details and values should follow the installation manual of your own unit. For example, the 格力 manual describes the procedure for recovering refrigerant and connecting pipes, while the 聲寶 manual says a leak search can be done before evacuation and that leaks should be checked again after installation.
- Recover the refrigerant first (收氟): the user manual of 格力 Taiwan (R32 refrigerant models) says that when relocation or repair requires recovering refrigerant, first run in cooling mode, then fully close the high-pressure side valve (liquid valve), and after about 30 to 40 seconds fully close the low-pressure side valve (gas valve), stop operation immediately and cut the power; the longest refrigerant recovery time must not exceed 1 minute, otherwise air may mix in and raise the system pressure.
- Confirm the valves are closed before disconnecting the pipes: the same manual requires that the liquid valve and gas valve be fully closed and the power cut before the connecting pipes are disconnected; disconnecting the pipes while the compressor is still running risks air mixing in and raising the system pressure.
- Dismantling, moving and installing at the new location: this includes re-securing the indoor unit, outdoor unit, drain, power supply and copper pipe. The LG price list also has a "bracket reuse" item (including re-drilling and replacing the screws that fasten the unit), so whether the old bracket is reused also affects the cost of a relocation.
- No air may remain in the pipes: the 格力 manual states that during installation or relocation, nothing other than refrigerant may get into the refrigerant circuit, and no air should remain in the pipes. So evacuation is needed after the pipes are connected; this is this article's inference based on the 聲寶 manual.
- Evacuation and leak checking: the installation instructions for the 聲寶 inverter ceiling-hung concealed air conditioner (model CH-QC93D and others) say: "Be sure to use a vacuum pump to evacuate; before evacuation, a leak search may be done first to ensure the piping has no leaks. After installation is complete, confirm again whether the unit body and copper pipe joints leak refrigerant." The same manual's way of judging airtightness is: after the vacuum pump is switched off and ten minutes pass, if the pressure reading has not risen, the piping has no seepage; if the pressure rises, the piping or the flared connection (喇叭口) leaks, and the cause must be eliminated before evacuating again.
- Top up refrigerant and test-run if necessary: the 格力 manual requires that no refrigerant inconsistent with the nameplate be charged; the LG price list has a charge item for "refrigerant charging for 7.5m and above (per the manufacturer's standard)". Whether refrigerant needs topping up depends on the unit's manual and the inspection results after the work, and is judged on site by the technician.
A particular reminder: the 格力 manual also states that before installing, relocating or repairing an air conditioner, you must contact the dealer or the local customer service centre, and the work is carried out by an authorized unit; work by a non-authorized unit may cause serious damage or injury or death. The chapter of the R32 manual also requires that people who install or repair refrigerant systems hold industry-recognized qualifications. Refrigerant, evacuation and pressure handling are not DIY items; please find a qualified technician.
What items make up the relocation cost
The table below is taken from the price-list image of the "installation and construction fee explanation" on LG's official online store (opened on 2026-11-07). The date shown on the page is 2023-12-15, and the image file name contains "20260519"; the page does not show the image's update date, so treat it as "the public price list of one manufacturer's online store" and not as the current rates of all channels. The page notes: the extra construction charge schedule is for reference only (only for purchases from the LG online store), the delivery installer (宅配師) has the right to adjust prices according to the site environment, and the delivery installer has the right to decide whether or not to install.
| Type | Item | Description | Fee (NT$) |
|---|
| Split type | Relocation fee: same location | Floor charged separately, hazardous work by negotiation | 1,000 + basic installation fee (per unit) |
| Split type | Relocation fee: different location | Floor charged separately, cross-district fee charged separately, hazardous work by negotiation | 1,500 + basic installation fee (per unit) |
| Split type | Refrigerant pipe extension (beyond the basic 5m) | 2 分 / 3 分 | 500 (per meter) |
| Split type | Refrigerant pipe extension (beyond the basic 5m) | 2 分 / 4 分 | 600 (per meter) |
| Split type | Refrigerant pipe extension (beyond the basic 5m) | 2 分 / 5 分 | 650 (per meter) |
| Split type | Refrigerant pipe extension (beyond the basic 5m) | 3 分 / 5 分 | 700 (per meter) |
| Split type | Drain pipe extension | 4-inch transparent drain pipe | 100 (per meter) |
| Split type | Bracket | Galvanized bracket: standard (small/medium), large, extra large | 1,500, 2,000, 2,500 (each) |
| Split type | Bracket | Stainless-steel bracket (白鐵架): standard (small/medium), large, extra large | 2,500, 3,000, 3,500 (each) |
| Split type | Bracket reuse | Includes re-drilling and replacing the screws that fasten the unit | 800 (per set) |
| Split type | Refrigerant charging | Refrigerant charging for 7.5m and above (per the manufacturer's standard) | 1,500 (per unit) |
| Split type | Pipe flushing | — | 2,500 (per line) |
| Split type | Hazardous work (assessed according to the actual environment) | 3rd floor and below; 4th to 5th floor; 6th floor and above | 2,000; 3,000; by negotiation (per unit) |
| Window type | Relocation fee (done together with a new unit): relocation in place (including removal and installation), same address, floor charged separately | 2.2-2.8kW; 3.6-5.0kW; 6.3-7.1kW | 1,500; 2,000; 2,500 (per unit) |
| Window type | Relocation fee (done together with a new unit): relocation to a different location (including removal and installation), cross-district and floor charged separately | 2.2-2.8kW; 3.6-5.0kW; 6.3-7.1kW | 2,500; 3,000; 3,500 (per unit) |
There are three things to note about this table. First, it lists add-on items; the amount of the "basic installation fee" does not appear in this image, so the total price of a split-type relocation cannot be worked out from this table directly, and you need to ask your installer. Second, the relocation fee field for window type is marked "done together with a new unit", which is not entirely the same as the conditions in the split-type field, and the page also does not say whether it applies to relocating an existing air conditioner on its own. Third, other channels or technicians may price in completely different ways, for example quoting per "trip" or as a "lump sum", so this table cannot be used directly for comparison.
What to ask about when getting a quote
Even for the same "flat-rate relocation", the contents can differ a lot. Ask the technician to write the following items on the quotation (you can use the repair quotation generator to turn them into a checklist):
- Whether the basic installation fee is included, or charged separately on top of the relocation fee.
- Whether the old copper pipe is reused; how many meters of extension the new location needs, and the unit price of the extension. For the part beyond the basic length, the LG price list charges per meter.
- Whether the drain pipe, power cable and control cable need extending, and whether a socket or a no-fuse breaker (NFB, 無熔絲開關) needs replacing.
- Whether the bracket is reused, newly bought, or whether a floor-standing bracket or another form is needed; whether the outdoor unit's position needs work at height or a crane.
- Whether floor, cross-district and second-trip travel fees are charged separately (the relocation fee in the LG price list notes that floor and cross-district are charged separately, and it also has a travel fee from the second trip and an item for working with a crane).
- Whether evacuation, leak checking and refrigerant top-up are included, and the basis for charging for topping up refrigerant.
- Whether cleaning, pipe flushing or disposal of the old unit is charged separately.
- Warranty after relocation: who handles problems that occur within how long after the work.
For checking the flared ends of copper pipe, pipe flaring and refrigerant leaks, see Air conditioner copper pipe flaring and refrigerant leak troubleshooting; for vehicles and labor on moving day, see Moving company costs and contracts in Taipei and New Taipei.
When relocating is not advised
There is no official figure to cite for "how many years old a unit must be before it is not worth moving", so this article gives no age limit and uses the conditions below instead. The more conditions that apply, the more you should compare the relocation quote with the total price of "a new unit of the same specification including standard installation".
In the table below, the "Why it affects the decision" column is this article's own judgment, except for sentences with a stated source.
| Condition | Why it affects the decision | Suggested approach |
|---|
| The piping at the new location is clearly longer than before | Copper pipe, drain pipe and control cable beyond the basic length are all charged extra; in the LG price list, copper pipe extension is NT$500 to NT$700 per meter | Measure the pipe length at the new location first and include the extension fee in the total relocation price |
| The old copper pipe does not suit the conditions at the new location (pipe diameter, damage, cannot be reused) | The piping has to be re-run or replaced, which is like redoing most of the installation steps | Ask the technician to inspect the copper pipe before quoting |
| The old and new units use different refrigerants | The 格力 manual requires that no refrigerant inconsistent with the nameplate be charged; whether the old piping can connect to the new unit has to be judged by the new model's manual | Before connecting old piping to a different new unit, confirm with the manufacturer or installer first |
| The unit itself already has a problem (not cooling, abnormal noise, refrigerant already leaking) | Relocation does not fix the fault and adds another removal and installation; improper evacuation and refrigerant handling can also leave new problems | Diagnose first, then decide whether to repair, relocate or replace |
| The new location needs hazardous work (high floor, exterior wall, nowhere to stand) | The LG price list has a hazardous-work item charged by floor; the technician has the right to decide whether to do the work | Confirm the working conditions at the new location in advance, and switch to another installation position if necessary |
| Warranty and manufacturer conditions | The 大同 air conditioner warranty statement says: the warranty applies only to the product itself and does not include refrigerant, piping, power-distribution installation materials and surrounding work; faults or damage caused by removal and installation by anyone other than this company's service personnel are not covered by the warranty | Before relocating, ask the manufacturer whether relocation affects the warranty and whether it must be done by the manufacturer or an authorized unit |
The 大同 warranty statement is the terms of a single brand; for other brands' warranty conditions, see their own warranty cards and manuals. For comparing the electricity use of a new unit, you can use the air conditioner tonnage calculator to estimate the capacity needed first, then look at each model's energy label.
Scheduling for moving house and renting
- People who are moving: first confirm the outdoor unit position, the piping-and-wiring holes and the route of the refrigerant pipe at the new home, then book the day for removal and the day for installation. If there is a gap between the old and new homes, the removal and installation of a relocation can be split over two days, or done in one go by the same technician, which affects whether a second-trip travel fee has to be paid.
- Renters: if the air conditioner belongs to the landlord, do not find someone to remove and install it yourself; if it is your own unit, first get the landlord's consent and confirm whether the building's community rules (社區規約) restrict the outdoor unit position and holes in the exterior wall. Also write down in advance how the wall holes and piping and wiring will be restored when you move out.
- Old homes changing from window type to split type, or patching the window: sealing the window and waterproofing after a window-type unit is removed are separate work; see How to patch the hole so it does not leak after a window air conditioner is removed.
FAQ
Does relocation always need evacuation?
What the manufacturer manuals say is: no air should remain in the pipes, and a vacuum pump should be used for evacuation. After the copper pipe joints are opened, air may get into the pipes, so evacuation is needed after they are reconnected. If a technician says "no need to evacuate", ask him to explain the basis, or compare directly with the installation manual of your unit.
Is it OK to dismantle it myself, have a moving company carry it, and then find someone to install it?
The refrigerant has to be correctly recovered first, and when disconnecting pipes the valves must be closed and the power cut; mistakes in these steps risk air mixing in and the pressure rising, and the 格力 manual also requires the work to be done by an authorized unit. The 大同 warranty statement says that faults or damage caused by modifying the product yourself (or having someone else do it), or by repair, removal or installation by anyone other than this company's service personnel, are not covered by the warranty; whether an outside qualified technician engaged by the customer is an exception, the original text does not say. So usually removal, moving and installation are all handed to the same qualified technician.
If it does not cool after relocation, who is responsible?
First tell the causes apart: whether the piping leaks, whether evacuation was completed, whether the refrigerant was topped up enough, whether the outdoor unit's heat dissipation is blocked. All of these depend on the work records, so ask the technician to leave a record on the day of relocation of what was done, the extended pipe length and the refrigerant top-up. Warranty responsibility depends on who did the relocation work and what the manufacturer's warranty card says.
Do I need to hire someone to relocate a window-type air conditioner?
Window-type units are listed separately in the LG price list; the window-type relocation fee already includes removal and installation, while the window frame, sealing panel, drainage and power supply have separate add-on items. If you plan to do it yourself, please pay attention to the weight of the unit and the safety of work at height.
Sources
- LG Taiwan: LG official online store installation and construction fee explanation (verified 2026-11-07) (in Chinese): the page shows the date 2023-12-15; price-list images for the relocation fee, refrigerant pipe extension, brackets, refrigerant charging, hazardous work and so on; "only for purchases from the LG online store", "the delivery installer has the right to adjust prices according to the site environment", "the delivery installer has the right to decide whether or not to install"
- 格力 Taiwan: user manual for the inverter heating-and-cooling indoor units and inverter cooling-only indoor units, GSB / GSC / GSD series (verified 2026-11-07) (in Chinese): the procedure for recovering refrigerant on relocation, no air may remain in the pipes, no refrigerant inconsistent with the nameplate may be charged, installation and relocation to be carried out by an authorized unit
- 聲寶: installation and user manual for the inverter ceiling-hung concealed air conditioner CH-QC93D and others (verified 2026-11-07) (in Chinese): evacuating with a vacuum pump, leak search, judging airtightness by whether the pressure does not rise ten minutes after the vacuum pump is closed
- 大同: air conditioner warranty statement (verified 2026-11-07) (in Chinese): the warranty applies only to the product itself, faults or damage caused by removal and installation by anyone other than this company's service personnel are not covered by the warranty, costs of equipment needed at the installation site are borne by the buyer
