Can I Recycle My AC Unit?

An efficient air conditioner can provide cooling comfort for up to 15 years. However, even the best air conditioners will eventually need to be replaced.

Many homeowners make the error of tossing their old air conditioners when it comes time to dispose of the unit, but this is a huge mistake! If you were caught throwing away your air conditioner in the trash, you would have to pay a hefty fee.

But fear not! If you are asking yourself, “How can I recycle my AC unit?” We have a guide for you.

Who Are You Going to Call?

One of the easiest ways to recycle your AC unit is to call a junk removal service and let them handle the details. But if you don’t have a junk removal service nearby, or the price is too rich for your blood, you have plenty of other options.

1. Your AC Retailer

Sometimes, the company that sells you a replacement AC will offer to take and recycle old AC units free of charge. If you are purchasing a new air conditioning unit from Action Air Conditioning in Tampa, Florida, we can recycle your AC unit, so you don’t need to worry about anything.

2. Donate it

If there is still some juice in that old AC, a charitable organization might take it off your hands. Of course, whenever you donate something like a large appliance to charity, the tax write-off is an added bonus.

3. Your Electric Company

Some electricity companies have programs specifically meant to help people safely dispose of their large appliances. Contact your electrical company and ask them if they can recycle your AC unit. Many programs even give customers a rebate on their next bill as a perk.

4. Local Sanitation Department

If all else fails, your local sanitation department may be able to direct you to a facility to drop off your AC unit. The only downside to this option is you may have to take a few necessary steps to prepare the unit before sending it off to be recycled.

But don’t worry! If you need to recycle your own AC, we have written a comprehensive guide for you!

How Do I Recycle My AC Unit?

There are some precautions you should take before taking your AC to a center for recycling. Although many places may take your unit, they may require you to take a few extra steps to help keep the environment safe before dropping it off.

Air conditioning units include chemicals and components that are unlawful to dispose of. This means that you need a professional to remove dangerous refrigerants from your unit. Do not attempt to remove the refrigerant from your AC unit yourself!

A technician authorized by the EPA must first recover the refrigerant from the system. This can be performed by a variety of establishments:

HVAC Companies
Scrapyards
Sanitation Facilities
Recycling Businesses

Even though your AC coolant is safe inside your unit, exposing it to air is an environmental hazard. If mishandled, not only can it harm the environment but also your health! Refrigerant poisoning can lead to:

Burns
Vomiting
Difficulty Breathing
Unconsciousness

To minimize your risk of exposure to air conditioner refrigerant, always call on your trusted technicians at Action Air Conditioning.

Even the equipment that touches the coolant poses a risk to the health of people, animals, and the planet.

In addition to eliminating the coolant, the tanks, hoses, and pipes also need to be removed and disposed of properly. These parts must be separated from the unit before it’s recycled.

You’ll need to locate your local hazardous waste collection center. These facilities are prepared to handle these items safely and prevent them from hurting anyone or anything.

Other Parts to Consider When Recycling an AC Unit

Please remember to take out the following from your air conditioner before throwing it out.

Covers
Doors
Panels

Small animals and even children may find air conditioning units a great place to hide. But a comfortable refuge can quickly become a tomb if they can’t find a way to escape. When you remove the doors, panels, and covers from an air conditioner, it protects wildlife and outdoor pets from being trapped inside and can save a life!