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Commercial HVAC replacements are a major source of recyclable high-value metal. During the summer months, HVAC companies like yours can get inundated with service calls, leading to large collections of scraped parts, from coils to motors. HVAC scrap metal recycling is an easy way to add recovered value, keep projects moving, and manage removed equipment responsibly.

Why Recycling Matters During the Busy Summer Season

According to the Macon Telegraph, “AC repair” searches increase 266% in July, with “emergency AC repair” increasing by nearly 400% from winter to late fall. While the numbers may seem extreme, it comes as no surprise to most homeowners. When summer temperatures rise, AC repairs rise in unison, leaving HVAC companies working overtime to address critical services.

This service surge also increases the amount of HVAC equipment that must be disposed of. Clever HVAC companies see this not as an added expense, but as an opportunity to put revenue back in their pockets through HVAC scrap metal recycling.

HVAC Scrap Metal Recycling Starts with Proper Equipment Handling

HVAC contractors cannot simply remove an HVAC unit and immediately treat the entire system as scrap. Proper HVAC scrap metal recycling is required under US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) laws, especially for refrigerant disposal.

However, legitimate companies already build these regulations into their procedures. Therefore, when it comes to the decommissioning process, they can easily add separation and recycling procedures.

What Metals Can You Recover from Commercial HVAC Replacements?

From small repairs to full replacements, there is large potential for HVAC scrap metal recycling. Here are the most common metals and parts:

Copper: Copper is the highest-value metal found on HVAC service jobs. It comes as line sets, coils, pipes, fittings, and wiring.

Aluminum: Aluminum is the next most common non-ferrous metal. This metal is typically found in air handlers, ductwork, condenser fins, disconnect boxes, and coils.

Brass: Brass is another valuable metal that shows up in smaller amounts, often in valves, fittings, and ports. While these pieces are small, they add up over time.

Steel: Steel is the highest-volume recyclable metal you will see on jobs. You can find it in cabinets, ducts, condenser housings, frames, and as the main component of large equipment bodies. While it is not a profitable metal, you can still recycle it to decrease waste disposal costs. At Community Recycling, we are glad to take it off your hands and recycle it, but we do not pay cash for steel.

Plan Your Drop-Offs

The best way to get the greatest bang for your buck is to have a system in place to collect, sort, and drop off your recyclables on a schedule. A pre-set schedule reinforces sorting efforts, reduces the chance of theft, and keeps workspaces clutter-free, especially during the busy summer months when more scrap metal is being accumulated.

To do this, we suggest having separate bins for the various metal types. Separating higher-value metals and components from the rest of a unit makes them easier to grade and can improve scrap returns. Then choose a specific day of the month when you bring all recycling to your local recycling center for grading and pay-out.

Turn Your Commercial HVAC Scrap into Cash with Community Recycling

Don’t let valuable metals be a source of contention in your business. Bring your HVAC scrap metal recycling to Community Recycling or call today to discuss accepted materials, current pricing, and options for larger loads.