Just like any appliance, air conditioners wear out over time and eventually need to be replaced. However, many people aren’t sure how to dispose of their old air conditioners properly. If you’re wondering how to get rid of an old air conditioner safely and responsibly, you’re not alone. It can be difficult to find a nearby place that accepts old AC units.
If you have an old air conditioner to dispose of, think twice before placing it on the curb for trash pickup. Disposing of an AC unit this way is illegal due to the harmful refrigerants and chemicals it contains, which can be dangerous to the environment.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to safely dispose of your old air conditioner using an environmentally friendly method that’s both easy and hassle-free.
How to Properly Dispose of an Old Air Conditioner
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How to Prepare an AC Unit for Disposal
No matter what type of air conditioner you own, it will contain a cooling refrigerant, typically hydrochlorofluorocarbon 200 (HCFC). The refrigerant in most air conditioners can harm the environment, and handling it properly during disposal is crucial.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that CFCs and HCFCs are ozone-depleting substances that release harmful greenhouse gases, contributing to global climate change.
Due to the environmental risks associated with these refrigerants, it’s illegal to dispose of your air conditioner by simply placing it in the trash or hauling it to the landfill.
Before disposing of your old air conditioner, you must take a few steps to ensure it’s safe and compliant with environmental regulations. Follow these guidelines to ensure proper disposal of your AC unit:
Step 1: Remove Doors.
Before disposing of your old air conditioner, remove any doors, covers, or hatches from the unit. This simple step ensures safety by preventing children or small animals from accidentally getting trapped inside if they decide to explore.
Step 2: Drain the Refrigerant.
To safely dispose of your air conditioner, you must drain the refrigerant or coolant. This is best done by an appliance professional or certified technician, as they have the proper tools and knowledge to handle the refrigerants safely. If you’d rather skip this step, don’t worry! LoadUp can pick up your old AC unit pick up your old AC unit and handle the refrigerant disposal for you, ensuring everything is taken care of.
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Step 3: Dispose of Hazardous Waste.
Air conditioners contain refrigerant, which can be hazardous to the environment if not disposed of properly. Any tanks, tubes, or hoses that contain refrigerant or coolant need to be taken separately to a hazardous waste center. To find the nearest hazardous waste disposal location, contact your local government or search online for hazardous waste disposal near you.
Step 4: Get Help.
If you plan to haul your old AC to a recycling facility or donation center, make sure to have someone assist you. Air conditioners can be heavy, making it dangerous to try and move them alone. Without help, you could risk serious injury.
📝 : To learn more about appliance disposal, check out our appliance disposal guide here.
Step 5: Haul With Caution.
When transporting your old air conditioner to a recycling, donation, or disposal site, handle it with care. Be sure to protect any tubing or refrigerant lines from damage. Leaking refrigerant can be both dangerous to you and harmful to the environment, so it’s important to ensure that everything stays intact during transport.
Air Conditioner Disposal, Donation & Recycling
When it comes to getting your air conditioner or window AC unit picked up, you have options.
Energy companies that pickup your old AC unit
One great option for disposing of your old AC unit is to reach out to your energy provider. Many energy companies offer incentives for old appliances. By recycling your air conditioner through their programs, you may be eligible for a rebate or credit on your energy bill.
Be sure to ask if they offer pickup services for old AC units in your area. Additionally, inquire about any fees or restrictions for participating in their recycling programs.
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Appliance stores that pickup your old AC unit
When purchasing a new AC unit, many appliance retailers offer pickup and disposal services for your old appliances. Some stores even provide cash incentives or discounts on a new appliance if you recycle your old air conditioner through them.
Be sure to ask the salesperson about any available deals or services for AC recycling when you buy your new unit.
- Home Depot air conditioning recycling: Home Depot won’t take AC units for recycling.
- Best Buy air conditioning recycling: Best Buy does not take air conditioners for recycling.
- Lowe’s air conditioning recycling: Lowe’s will take your air conditioner for a $30 fee but only if you have a new one delivered.
Organizations that pickup your old AC unit
If your old air conditioner is still in good condition, consider donating it to local schools, charities, senior centers, community centers, or other organizations in need. Many groups are actively seeking appliance donations to support people in need.
There are lots of organizations asking for donated appliances for people or groups in need. Research online or check with local charity drives to decide what most appeals to you.
🧊 If you don’t want to go through the trouble of figuring out to donate your AC Unit, consider hiring LoadUp to handle the logistics for you. LoadUp goes above and beyond to work with local charities to make sure that your old items end up in the hands of people who may need them.
Contacting your city to find pickup for your old AC unit
You may need to contact your city’s sanitation or recycling department. They’ll know of any local companies that offer air conditioner recycling and can handle the process for you from refrigerant removal to hauling and proper disposal of the AC unit.
Some cities and municipalities may require you to submit a request for bulky waste or appliance pickup. These appointments can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks before your old AC unit is picked up.
Other towns might require you to haul your AC unit to a local transfer station or landfill. To find out what applies to your area, contact your local government or a licensed waste contractor for details on air conditioner disposal regulations.
Hire professionals for your AC unit pickup
If all this sounds too time-consuming for a small window unit or other types of ACs, there’s a quicker, hassle-free option that’s still environmentally responsible: hire a professional junk removal company to handle pickup and disposal for you.
Best Air Conditioner Disposal Services
If you’ve been looking for the best way to dispose of your old air conditioner or window AC unit, book a pickupwith LoadUp today.
LoadUp is a nationwide junk removal company that offers fast, easy, and affordable air conditioner haul away and disposal in over 170+ cities cities across the U.S.
With a dedicated customer care team, real-time notifications, and GPS tracking for your pickup, plus rates that are on average 20–30% lower than most other junk removal services, it’s easy to see why a title=”Read real reviews from real customers” href=”https://goloadup.com/reviews/”>more than 47,000 customers trust LoadUp for their junk removal needs.
Another reason why LoadUp is a top choice for air conditioner disposal is our commitment to eco-friendly practices, we donate or recycle every AC unit that qualifies, and responsibly dispose of anything that can’t be saved.
LoadUp makes junk removal and air conditioner unit disposalfast and easy! Give us a call or visit us online to get an upfront, all-inclusive quote and book your air conditioner removal with LoadUp today.
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