Air conditioners weren’t made to last forever, and they will eventually need to be replaced. While the easiest solution may seem to be throwing your old AC to the curb, disposing of an old air conditioner with the rest of your garbage is actually not an option.
All air conditioner units contain a cooling refrigerant, which is classified by the EPA as ozone-depleting substances. These coolants release greenhouse gases and contribute to global warming, making it illegal to dispose of an old air conditioner as you would your regular household waste.
Dispose of Your Air Conditioner Properly
Because your AC cannot be simply thrown away, you need another plan to ensure you’re following the correct procedures that may be put in place in your municipality. Here are the steps you should take:
How to Prep Your Unit for Disposal
1. Remove any covers or hatches from the unit, to ensure that no small children or animals can become stuck inside if the air conditioner is sitting on your property waiting to be disposed of.
2. Remove and separate tanks, tubes, and hoses that contain coolant or refrigerant. These will need to be sent or brought to a hazardous waste collection center to be disposed of safely and properly. You can find your nearest hazardous waste facility by contacting your local government, or by searching on their website.
Discarding the Unit
After removing these parts, you have a few options in deciding how to get rid of your unit:
Call your power company to see if they offer any bounty programs. A bounty program offered by your energy provider will give you a rebate or a credit on your bill for recycling old appliances through them. You can even coordinate a pick-up, whether free or for a small fee.
Check to see if your appliance retailer offers disposal services. Many companies may offer a pick-up and disposal service for customers who replace their old air conditioner with either the same or newer model.
Bring your unit to a local recycling facility. Some municipalities require an appointment form to be submitted for bulky waste and appliance pick-up, and others may require you to transfer your old unit to a facility on your own. Contact your local government for more information.
If all else fails, hire a professional. A junk removal company can remove your old AC if you feel that you do not want to remove it yourself, or if you don’t have the time to do so.
Contact Rescue Air today to learn more about how we can help you dispose of your old air conditioner the right way. Need a new unit? We can help with that, too! Rescue Air can help with all of your cooling needs, from repairs and routine maintenance throughout Dallas.