The problem of climate change has continuously occupied global attention at various forums. There is now an increased understanding that the world must unite to curb ozone depletion, global warming, and other effects of the emission of dangerous gases into the earth’s atmosphere.
To this end, it has become imperative to explore sustainable options when it comes to HVAC recycling and disposal. In other words, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units must be recycled in environmentally-friendly ways, especially because they are made with chemical refrigerants.
How Bad are HVAC Systems for the Environment?
All through the second half of the 20th century, almost all air conditioners used chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as their refrigerant. Unfortunately, CFC is an ozone-depleting substance (ODS). Hence, by 1995, US authorities had stopped the production of CFC in the country.
The majority of refrigerators and freezers produced since 1995, as well as window air-conditioners and dehumidifiers produced since 2010 use ozone-friendly hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerants. However, HCFCs are also greenhouse gases and are being phased out in the US.
The phasing out of the most recent HCFC refrigerant, known as HCFC-22 OR R-22, commenced in 2010 and finally ended ten years later. However, according to the US Energy Department, HCFC “is expected to be available for many years as it is removed and reused from old systems that are taken out of service.” So, since these chemicals are still found in old HVAC appliances, it is necessary that they are properly recycled and disposed of.
Three-quarters of all US homes have air conditioners. Those air conditioners consume around 6% of all the electricity generated in the US and account for $29 billion of the total electricity bills paid by US homeowners annually. They also emit approximately 117 million metric tons of CO2 every year.
In the US, refrigerants, oils, and other compounds from air conditioners must be removed and recovered. The valuable raw materials such as metals and other components can then be recycled. Section 608 of the US Clean Air Act forbids the known discharge of refrigerants during maintenance, service, repair, or disposal of air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment. HVAC appliances containing five pounds or more of chlorofluorocarbon, hydrochlorofluorocarbon, or hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants must be recovered and documented by a qualified technician.
Sustainable HVAC Recycling and Disposal Methods
HVAC contractors have a number of options when it comes to recycling and disposing of their HVAC units in an environmentally friendly way. Note that there are recycling and disposal facilitators who demand a fee before helping you get rid of your old units. In contrast, some facilitators will pay you the scrap value of your units and help you move them on.
Here are some eco-friendly HVAC recycling and disposal avenues:
Bounty Programs
A bounty program is an HVAC recycling program organized to facilitate the turn-in of old, inefficient HVAC appliances. Under the program, an HVAC contractor or appliance owner is offered a “bounty” for allowing a recycler possession and recycling of their old HVAC units.
In some of these HVAC recycling programs, HVAC unit owners are also granted rebates and discounts as incentives for the purchase of new ENERGY STAR-approved HVAC appliances. Majority of the bounty programs have specific guidelines about the appliances or HVAC units they accept. See your electricity provider if you need to know whether bounty programs are available in your locality.
Landfills
Landfills are a popular way of handling HVAC unit recycling and disposal. For responsible recycling or disposal, you’ll have to contact local authorities such as the public works department of your local government or your local hazardous waste center to dialogue on the most suitable options for recycling or disposing of your unit.
As noted earlier, US law requires the removal of refrigerant chemicals because they are greenhouse gases that can damage the ozone layer if released into the atmosphere. As soon as the refrigerants are safely removed by a qualified professional, the HVAC appliance is then uncoupled, and the non-recyclable components dumped in the landfill. HVAC recycling and disposal through landfills usually attract a payment (whether or not a drop-off or unit pick-up is involved).
Recycling Companies
There are recycling companies in the US that recycle and dispose of HVAC units as well as other large pieces of equipment like generator sets, electronic appliances, and more. Depending on the company’s policy, you either drop the appliance at the company’s facility or ask them to come and pick it up.
Though these companies often adopt environmentally-friendly best practices for HVAC unit recycling, some of them will ask for a fee for the service. The others work for free for promotional reasons.
Contrastingly, there are other companies that will pay you just to have your old HVAC units scrapped. These companies purchase and recycle all types of HVAC systems, including split units, boilers, chillers, heat exchangers, package systems, and cooling towers. Most of these companies are eco-friendly.
Gifting
It is not every day that people want to recycle or even dispose of their HVAC units because they are no longer useful or valuable. We live in a fast-changing world where new technologies emerge every day to replace old ones. So if you have a working HVAC unit that you consider surplus to your requirements, instead of dumping it in a landfill, you can give it out to a charity organization that will find a new owner for it. There are millions of less privileged people all over the world that could use a working, if outmoded, HVAC unit.
HVAC Disposal Programs
Before trying to dispose of your obsolete or surplus unit, make time to chat with your local sanitation department or any other appropriate authority in your locality to find out if there are specific HVAC disposal programs and local regulations people have to comply with before disposal. For instance, it may be mandatory to take the unit to a particular disposal location or have a certified technician take out the refrigerant or coolant as required by US law.
For safety reasons, you may be required to detach hatches, covers, and doors from the fridge or AC before disposal in order to prevent kids or animals from entering the unit. If unit components, such as tubes, tanks, or hoses, are found to harbor coolant or refrigerant, be sure to take them to a hazardous waste collection center for proper disposal.
Conclusion
If you have finally bought a new air conditioner or refrigerator and want to recycle or dispose of the old one, then you have to realize that many of these units contain greenhouse gases that are bad for the earth. This means that you should not dispose of them like the usual household trash but rather spend some time, if necessary, finding out what the law in your locality says about HVAC disposal and recycling.
