With older HVAC systems becoming obsolete and new innovations in the HVAC industry emerging on the market, the need to dispose of older units continues to be an issue in HVAC. Simply leaving an expired unit by the curb is not the proper way to dispose of an air conditioner as there are unique components and coolant that require special care when being discarded. Not only is it dangerous and harmful for the environment to simply dump your air conditioner, it’s also illegal. If you have an air conditioning unit that needs to be discarded, read on to learn about how to dispose of it properly.
Disposing of an air conditioner properly requires a certain amount of responsibility
What’s All the Fuss?
Why do we need to be careful when getting rid of our air conditioners? As we’ve discussed on our blog, air conditioners use refrigerant or ‘coolant’ to produce cool air. Most of older air conditioners contain R-22 refrigerant and more current models use R-410. While R-410 is a more environmentally friendly refrigerant, both R-22 and R-410 contain chemicals that deplete the ozone layer or are dangerous to the environment if they are not managed properly when an air conditioner is disposed of. This is why it is crucial to be sensible when discarding air conditioning units. But what are the best methods for doing so?
Your local sanitation department will have helpful information on disposing of air conditioners
Municipal Disposal Services
A first step to take in discarding an air conditioner is to contact your local sanitation department. There are many regulations that pertain to the disposal of appliances such as air conditioners and each region or local government will have unique stipulations. The unit may simply need to be taken to a specified drop off location or it may require a specialist to drain the coolant before disposal. If you call your local sanitation department, they can start you in the right direction and you can be sure not to violate local laws.
Bounties and Rebates to the Rescue
Interestingly enough, you might even be able to receive money for your old air conditioner. Bounty programs are offered by organizations for certain items that meet various requirements. These programs may provide you with monetary compensation for old air conditioners or at least offer discounts and rebates on other product, including a newer air conditioner. Look online or contact your local electricity provider for more information on bounty programs in your area.
Consult a Retailer
If you’re getting rid of an old air conditioner, it stands to reason that you are in the market for a new one. When shopping for a new air conditioner, check with retailers if they offer removal and disposal of units that are being replaced. They may offer this service as a standard part of their sales and might even offer to reduce the cost of your new unit in exchange for the old one.
A local recycling center can accept your old air conditioner and may even offer you money
Look to Donation and Recycling
If your air conditioner is still in working condition, consider donating it to a community center or facility in your neighborhood. There are plenty of organizations that host drives for individuals or facilities that need appliances. You should be sure that the air conditioner uses at least R-410 refrigerant and meets operation requirements and also check that the unit can be installed properly for those who receive it. You can also check with your local recycling facility to see if they can accept it. They might even offer you a bit of cash if you can bring it to them.
With a little research, disposing of your air conditioner properly can be easy
Disposing of household appliances is not easy and it can be confusing to find the proper way to discord of an old air conditioner. We hope we have helped you to think of a few of the most reasonable options and got you on the right path to disposing of your air conditioner responsibly. Keep this in mind when it’s time to get rid of yours!
