You’ve just gotten a new HVAC system. Now, what are you going to do with the old unit? Do you put it by the curb and wait for it to be picked up with the rest of the garbage? No. Not only is this illegal, it’s harmful to the environment. Here’s why HVAC recycling is a better option.
Benefits of HVAC Recycling
The reason you can’t simply throw out your old system is because of the refrigerant. Assuming your AC is less than 10 years old, it probably has R-410A refrigerant. This is less harmful to the environment than the older, R-22 variety, but it’s still dangerous to leave the chemicals sitting in a landfill. They must be properly and safely disposed of.
Recycling your system takes care of those problems and reduces the environmental impact. Not only are the harmful chemicals dealt with safely, but other components of the system can be reused as well.
HVAC Recycling Options
You have a few different options when trying to dispose of your old system. The simplest way is to simply call your HVAC contractor to take it away. They’ll handle everything, recycling the parts that can be recycled and safely discarding the rest. However, if you’d rather take a more active role in what happens to your old system, there are other routes you can take.
If the unit is still in decent working order, you could donate it to someone in need. Call up local charities and community centers to see if they take donated HVAC systems. Check retirement communities as well. Temperature extremes tend to be more harmful as people get older, so donating an HVAC system to a senior could help them stay safe and healthy.
Finally, you could take your unit to a scrapyard. By law, scrapyards are required to be able to deal with refrigerants, and many of the other components can be recycled as well, such as the motor, compressor, and coils.
For help with your HVAC recycling, contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services. We’re Dayton’s trusted source for quality home-comfort solutions.
