What Happens To Your AC Unit After You Discard It?

With proper maintenance, your AC unit can last for as many as 15 years. But, with age, the AC units are also prone to turn inefficient, along with increasing energy consumption.

It is better to discard your AC unit once it starts giving away red flags like strange noises and high utility bills.

Don’t worry, we’re not here to tell you anything about your AC maintenance or replacement. This article is going to be an interesting change from what you usually read around the internet.

Have you ever imagined what happens to your AC unit after you discard it?

Well, this article is about to walk you through the process of dismantling the AC unit.

Draining Refrigerant

First things first, all AC units contain refrigerant fluids. It is what keeps circulating within the AC lines and cools down the compressed air. As such it might not seem like anything harmful. But read this- the refrigerant fluid is identified as a potential environment degradant.

The fluids mostly contain fluorocarbons, which are recognized as greenhouse gases. These gases can be pretty dangerous if released into the environment. As such, it is also illegal to release refrigerants into the environment.

It is, therefore, advised to get it professionally drained. Professionals usually drain the fluids out to reuse and recycle them.

Copper Extraction

Did you know that your AC unit contains several pounds of Copper? Notably, this metal is extremely valuable in the recycled goods market.

The radiators, induction motor, and even wirings inside and outside the unit, all contain Copper. Experts at CJD E-Cycling recommend professional extraction of copper from these parts. Usually, the parts are taken off one by one and opened up to extract processed copper.

It is also noteworthy that the copper found in AC units is highly pure. Recycling this copper can reduce environmental impact due to excessive mining of the metal.

Silver And Aluminum Bits

There are also certain bits of silver and aluminum in AC units. For example, circuit boards contain silver seals and aluminum conductors.

Though these metals are found in traces, they can still be very economical. Both metals are highly valued in industrial applications.

Silver can be processed and reused in jewelry and electronics. Whereas, aluminum can be used in the construction and automobile industry, along with electronic applications.

Steel And Brass Casings

Lastly, the casing for the AC unit is made out of high-grade stainless steel and lined with brass. Steel helps maintain the structural stability of the unit, while brass helps reduce static charge buildup.

Even the plugs contain a lot of brass in them. And extracting these metals is also not difficult.

Besides, these metals are highly valuable for all sorts of industrial applications.

You must be surprised to know that even a discarded AC unit could be of such high value. Professional recyclers can ensure that you receive the right value for your old AC unit. In short, you must contact a recycling contractor before you throw away your old units in the trash.

That being said, following the right extraction and recycling procedure, you can also contribute to reducing environmental pollution. And, of course, the load on the mining industry. But, you need to make sure that you contact a competent recycling contractor first.