Topic: Preparing Items
An old air conditioner should never go in household rubbish — but it can be worth money. The copper coils, aluminium fins and compressor inside all carry scrap value. The one thing that must happen first is having the refrigerant gas recovered by a licensed technician.
This guide covers the right order to do things in, what the unit is worth, and what you can and cannot do yourself.
The short answer
Have a licensed refrigeration technician recover the refrigerant gas.
Have the unit disconnected and removed.
Bring it to a scrap yard, where the copper and aluminium are assessed and paid for.
The refrigerant step is not optional. Everything else is straightforward.
Why the refrigerant must be recovered first
Air conditioners contain refrigerant gas under pressure. Many refrigerants are powerful greenhouse gases, and older units may contain ozone-depleting substances.
In Australia, handling refrigerant requires a licence from the Australian Refrigeration Council. Releasing it into the atmosphere is illegal and can attract significant penalties.
Do not cut refrigerant lines or attempt to 'bleed' the gas yourself. Beyond the legal issue, the gas is under pressure and can cause frostbite-type burns. A licensed technician recovers it properly.
If you are replacing the unit, the installer usually recovers the gas from the old one as part of the job. Ask them to do it — it is often the simplest route.
What is inside an air conditioner that is worth money
| Component | Material | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Condenser and evaporator coils | Copper tubes, aluminium fins | The most valuable part |
| Compressor | Steel casing, copper winding | Worth assessing separately |
| Refrigerant lines | Copper pipe | Clean copper once removed |
| Fan motors | Copper winding | Assessed as motors |
| Outer casing | Steel or plastic | Low value |
The copper is where most of the value sits. See aircon unit scrap prices for current assessment rates, or the copper value guide for copper grades.
Can it go in hard rubbish?
Generally, no. Most councils will not accept air conditioners in hard rubbish collections because of the refrigerant. Check with your own council, but a scrap yard is usually the better option — you get paid instead of paying to dispose of it.
It also keeps the copper and aluminium in the recycling chain rather than in landfill.
Split systems, window units and ducted systems
Split systems
The most common type in Adelaide homes. Two units — an indoor head and an outdoor condenser — connected by copper refrigerant lines. Both units contain copper, and the lines themselves are copper pipe worth bringing.
Window and wall units
Older single-box units. Everything is in one casing, which makes them simpler to transport.
Ducted systems
Large central systems with a big outdoor condenser. These contain substantial copper and are worth assessing — call ahead, as they are heavy.
Should you strip it yourself?
Once the refrigerant has been recovered by a licensed technician, you can bring the unit whole. For most people, whole is the right choice.
Bring it whole if you have one or two units — the yard assesses it without dismantling.
Separating coils can make sense for trade volumes, but only after degassing and only with the right tools.
Never cut lines on a unit that has not been degassed.
The compressor and fan motors are assessed on their copper winding, the same as other electric motors. See electric motor scrap value. If you are bringing other metals at the same time, our guide to sorting scrap metal before selling helps you separate everything first.
Bringing an air conditioner to the yard
SA Copper Scraps accepts air conditioners at 12 Belfree Dr, Green Fields SA 5107. Units are assessed on copper and aluminium content, weighed on calibrated scales, and paid before you leave.
Confirm the refrigerant has been recovered before bringing it in.
Tell us if you are unsure whether it has been degassed.
Transport the unit upright.
Call 08 7225 9998 first for ducted systems or multiple units.
This is a drop-off yard — units are brought to us for assessment. For installers and HVAC trades with regular volumes, see our air con unit buying service.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get rid of an old air conditioner in Adelaide?
Have a licensed refrigeration technician recover the refrigerant, have the unit disconnected, then bring it to a scrap yard where the copper and aluminium are assessed and paid for.
Can I put an air conditioner in hard rubbish?
Generally no. Most councils will not accept air conditioners in hard rubbish because of the refrigerant. A scrap yard is usually the better option, since you are paid for the metal.
Does the refrigerant need to be removed first?
Yes. In Australia, refrigerant must be recovered by someone licensed by the Australian Refrigeration Council. Releasing it is illegal.
Is an old air conditioner worth any money?
Yes. The copper coils, copper refrigerant lines, aluminium fins, compressor and fan motors all carry scrap value. Most of the value is in the copper.
Can I remove the refrigerant myself?
No. Handling refrigerant requires a licence. Cutting lines yourself is illegal and dangerous, as the gas is under pressure.
Do you take split systems?
Yes. Both the indoor and outdoor units of a split system contain copper and are worth bringing in, along with the copper refrigerant lines.
Do you take ducted air conditioning units?
Yes. Ducted systems contain substantial copper. Call ahead, as they are heavy and may need planning.
Should I strip the copper out of an air conditioner?
For one or two units, bring them whole. Separating coils only makes sense for trade volumes, and only after the refrigerant has been properly recovered.
Will my installer take the old unit?
Often, yes. When replacing a unit, installers usually recover the refrigerant from the old one as part of the job. Ask them to do this.
Where can I bring an old air conditioner in Adelaide?
SA Copper Scraps accepts air conditioners at 12 Belfree Dr, Green Fields SA 5107. Units are assessed, weighed on calibrated scales and paid before you leave.
Final word
Refrigerant first, always, by a licensed technician. After that, an old air conditioner stops being a disposal problem and becomes copper and aluminium worth selling.
Call 08 7225 9998, or see current aircon unit scrap prices.
