At Action Air Conditioning, we understand that many Tampa Bay homeowners may need to learn how to get rid of their AC properly. So, our experts have provided all you need to know about AC disposal.
Why Do You Need to Dispose of Your Old AC Properly?
If you’re considering throwing away your AC or dumping refrigerant, there can be negative consequences.
ACs contain compounds, such as refrigerants and oils, that can be toxic to the environment. In fact, many refrigerants have chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HCFs) that damage the ozone layer, while others are highly potent greenhouse gases. Namely, one kilogram of refrigerant R410a has the same impact as two tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to running your car for six months.
Unfortunately, CFCs can remain in the atmosphere for 55 to 140 years, and HCFs linger for a minimum of 15 years. While newer AC equipment is likely to have HCFs, which are less dangerous, they still require proper disposal.
Due to the potential dangers of exposure, federal law requires ACs to be removed and recovered. Properly disposing of them prevents widespread contamination since environmental infiltration causes pollutants to multiply by parts per million (PPM) (a unit of measurement for contaminant concentrations) in the soil. Once the pollutants penetrate the air, water, and soil, they negatively influence the surrounding ecosystem, spreading within plant and animal life.
Since most of the contamination is caused by human activities, it’s essential to learn how improper AC and refrigerant disposal can have catastrophic repercussions.
Laws Surrounding AC Disposal
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is dedicated to investigating and creating awareness surrounding the impact of pollutants on the biological and physical environment. Their government agency provides detailed information about the proper procedures for discarding ACs and refrigerants. According to the Clean Air Act, enacted in 1963, is a law ensuring the safe disposal of air conditioning units and refrigerants.
The regulations specify:
- Intentionally releasing ozone-depleting substances (ODS) refrigerants and ODS substitutes into the atmosphere while disposing of refrigeration/AC equipment is prohibited.
- Certification for refrigerant recovery equipment and refrigerant evacuation is required to maximize the removal of ODS during the removal of refrigeration and AC equipment.
- Certification for technicians disposing of refrigeration and AC equipment, excluding small appliances, is required.
In other words, although EPA certifications are unnecessary for refrigerant extraction from small appliances, they are mandatory for technicians who dispose of refrigeration or AC equipment.
EPA’s Definition of AC Disposal
When handling any AC components, it’s vital to understand what disposal means since discarding your unit incorrectly can leave a long-lasting impact on the environment.
According to the EPA’s Code of Federal Regulations, Part 82, Subsection F, disposal means the process leading to and including:
(1) The discharge, deposit, dumping, or placing of any discarded appliance into or on any land or water
(2) The disassembly of any appliance for discharge, deposit, dumping, or placing its dimponent parts into or on any land or water
(3) The vandalism of any appliance causing refrigerant release into the environment or would be released had it not been before the destructive activity
(4) The disassembly of any appliance for reuse of its component parts
(5) The recycling of any appliance for scrap
Ways to Dispose of Your AC Unit
If this is your first time chucking an old unit, you have several options, which consist of:
Call A Local Professional
The most convenient and safest disposal option is to consult your local professional at Action Air Conditioning. We can dismantle, recover, and contain refrigeration and AC equipment.
The EPA specifies the following disposal procedures for our trained professionals:
- Identify refrigeration or AC equipment within the home or facility
- Recover refrigerant using EPA-certified equipment
- Send refrigerant to a EPA-certified reclaimer or
- Send refrigerant to a permitted destruction facility or
- Safely store refrigerant
People holding recycle symbol against green spring background. Earth day holiday concept.
If, for any reason, you choose not to contact Action Air’s local experts, here are several other safe options to explore:
Recycle
Rather than risking improper AC disposal, bring your unit to a recycling facility. Not every facility will accept these items, so it’s best to ask first. The good news is that you may be eligible for a tax credit for recycling your old unit.
Scrap Yard
Scrap yards may also take your AC. They will collect the AC’s scrap metals, such as copper, aluminum, or steel materials. However, it’s best to ask before bringing your unit since not all scrap yards take ACs, especially if extracting the parts is too difficult.
Local Sanitation Departments
Contact your local sanitation department. They may be able to help you discard your AC because they are knowledgeable about federal and state regulations pertaining to system removal.
Use Bounty, Rebate, or Discount Program
Another option is to check with your local utility company and inquire about the bounty program. Occasionally, they may pay customers a small rebate, or discount to recycle their inefficient units.
Sometimes, these rebates are for newer, more efficient models under the EPA’s Energy Star program. Depending on the program, they may offer rebates or discounts towards a higher efficiency model.
Local Municipality Pickup
Some local municipalities have pickup services for used air conditioning equipment. Even if they cannot take your AC, they may know who will.
Hire Action Air Conditioning to Install Your New AC System
If you’re ready to dispose of your old AC unit, contact Action Air Conditioning specialists in Tampa Bay, Florida. We can assist with the removal of your system. Then, when you’re ready to install a new unit, we will provide you with our top recommendations and install the right AC for your home or business.
In Tampa Bay, we provide homeowners and business owners with the ultimate comfort, giving our clients reliable and quality service.
Please contact us today to speak with a customer service agent or to schedule a FREE estimate! We will be in touch within 24 hours of submitting our online form.