How do I dispose of an old air conditioner? Federal refrigerant recovery rules

Why an old air conditioner can't go out with the trash

EPA has safe disposal rules for refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment. They sit under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, a federal law. EPA says the rules are designed to minimize refrigerant emissions when these appliances are disposed.

EPA says older household appliances, including window air-conditioning units, contained chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) as refrigerant. These are ozone-depleting substances, meaning chemicals that destroy the ozone layer if released into the environment. Manufacturers then moved to hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), refrigerants that EPA says are being phased down under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act. EPA adds that some new refrigerated appliances use non-fluorinated refrigerants such as R-290, which is propane.

The ban on letting refrigerant escape covers disposal too. EPA guidance issued during the 2017 hurricane season says people disposing of residential air conditioners are prohibited from knowingly releasing refrigerants. It adds that this includes the preparations for disposal, not only the final drop-off.

First, figure out which kind of air conditioner you have

EPA's rules split air conditioners into two groups at disposal time.

Window units and other room air conditioners are usually small appliances under EPA's definition. An EPA guide defines a small appliance as one fully manufactured, charged and hermetically sealed in a factory with five pounds or less of refrigerant. That definition names window air conditioners and portable air conditioners as room air conditioners.

EPA says window unit air conditioners typically enter the waste stream with their refrigerant charge intact.

Central residential air conditioning is treated differently. EPA says this equipment is typically dismantled on-site before disposal. It must have its refrigerant recovered under EPA's servicing requirements first.

For a central system, EPA says the type and amount of refrigerant is typically noted on a nameplate on the outside condensing unit. EPA notes that most refrigerants are identified with an R followed by numbers.

Central air conditioners: a certified technician handles the refrigerant

For central air conditioners, EPA's hurricane guidance says the refrigerant may only be recovered by a Section 608 certified technician. For disposal it names a Type II or Universal technician. Our guide to EPA Section 608 refrigerant rules explains what each type covers.

The same guidance says to deliver the recovered refrigerant to a reclaimer the EPA has certified, who will reprocess it for resale.

If a contractor is replacing your system, ask who will recover the old refrigerant and where it will go. Our guide to what to expect during AC replacement covers the rest of that job. Ask which Section 608 certification type the technician on your job holds. Do not cut or loosen refrigerant lines to make an old unit easier to haul away. Knowingly releasing refrigerant during preparations for disposal is prohibited.

Window and room units: start with a utility, retailer or your county

EPA lists three places to start for a refrigerated appliance such as a window air conditioner.

Your electric utility comes first in EPA's list. EPA says to check whether it offers a rebate or bounty program, which is an appliance turn-in program. Some programs require the appliance to be in working condition, or of a minimum age or size.

Your city or county is next. EPA says some local governments may require an appointment for bulky item collection. Others may require you to haul items to a transfer station or landfill. Some may also require the refrigerant to be recovered before they will pick an appliance up. In that case, EPA says you would need a professional, such as an employee of an appliance repair shop.

A retailer is the third option. EPA says some retailers pick up and dispose of an old appliance when they deliver a new one. Others may let you drop the old appliance off at the store.

EPA asks people to schedule collection where possible. It warns that appliances left curbside might be landfilled or otherwise disposed of in an unsafe manner.

EPA's appliance page presents its Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) program, a voluntary partnership, as program history covering 2006 to 2025.

What the scrap yard or landfill checks for a window unit

For equipment that typically arrives with its refrigerant still inside, such as window units, EPA says the final person in the disposal chain, such as a scrap metal recycler or landfill owner, is responsible for ensuring the refrigerant is recovered before final disposal.

Sometimes a unit arrives that no longer holds refrigerant. If it is a window unit or other equipment of that kind, EPA says the facility is responsible for maintaining a signed statement from the person who dropped it off. EPA allows a contract with regular, commercial suppliers instead, but says that option is not appropriate for use with infrequent suppliers, such as individuals. The statement must include the name and address of the person who recovered the refrigerant, and the recovery date.

EPA does not accept a sticker as proof that refrigerant was recovered. EPA also says the equipment used to recover refrigerant before disposal must meet the same performance standards as equipment used for servicing.

EPA says older appliances may also hold hazardous parts, such as mercury switches, that must be removed before disposal.

Florida law and Tampa Bay drop-off options

Florida law has its own word for an old air conditioner. Florida Statutes section 403.703 defines white goods to include discarded air conditioners, heaters, refrigerators, ranges, water heaters and freezers. The same section lists white goods among special wastes, which can require special handling and management.

Florida Statutes section 403.708 then lists white goods among the wastes that may not be disposed of in landfills. It applies to a person who knows or should know what the waste is. An EPA guide gives similar advice: do not mix appliances that contain refrigerants with trash headed straight to a landfill.

Hillsborough County has a Where Does It Go? page for appliances that contain refrigerants. It tells residents to bring the item to a county Solid Waste Facility. The page says to bring a state-issued photo ID with a Hillsborough County residential address and a copy of your annual county property tax bill showing current solid waste assessments. The page says appliances should be empty before disposal, and curbside bulky pickup must be scheduled first.

Call the county before you load up an old unit. We did not find an official Pinellas or Pasco County page on refrigerant appliances, so ask your county solid waste department.

In 2017, EPA issued guidance on disposing of refrigerants in appliances damaged during that hurricane season. It noted that federal environmental laws govern the handling and disposal of equipment containing refrigerants. Our hurricane season HVAC prep guide covers getting your system ready before a storm.