Summer in Kansas City means AC units working overtime, and it also means a fair number of them finally giving out. If you’ve got a dead window unit in the garage or a central air condenser sitting in the side yard after a replacement, it’s not junk. It’s scrap metal, and it’s worth real money.
Here’s what you need to know before you bring it in.
What Makes an Old AC Unit Worth Money
An AC unit isn’t just a box. Inside, you’ve got a mix of metals, and each one is worth something different:
- Copper — coils and wiring, the most valuable metal in the unit
- Aluminum — fins and housing components
- Steel — the outer casing and frame
Because every unit has a different mix of these metals, there’s no flat “AC unit price.” What you get paid depends on the weight and the breakdown of materials inside. Prices also move with the metals market, so it’s worth checking current rates for copper, aluminum, and steel before you haul one in.
Window Units vs. Central Air vs. Mini-Splits
Not all AC units scrap the same way.
- Window and portable units are smaller and easy to bring in as-is.
- Central air condensers carry more copper and weigh more, so you may need help loading them.
- Mini-split systems break down similarly, and if the line sets (copper tubing) have already been separated from the unit, bring those in too. Copper by itself typically pays better than copper still attached to other materials.
A Note on Refrigerant
Some AC units still have refrigerant in them when they come out of service. Before you bring your unit in, give us a call and let us know the type of unit and whether refrigerant has been removed. We’ll walk you through what we can take and what needs to happen first. This saves you a wasted trip and keeps things straightforward from the start.
What to Do Before You Bring It In
- Call ahead if you’re not sure about refrigerant status.
- Strip any easily accessible copper wiring or tubing if you’re comfortable doing so. Separated copper pays better.
- Leave the rest as-is. We’ll sort the mixed metal on-site once you’re here.
How to Get Paid
Getting paid for your old AC unit is simple:
- Bring it in. No appointment needed. Want a rough idea of what you’ll get first? Get a quote before you come by,
- We’ll weigh it. Right there on-site, while you wait.
- You get paid. Same visit, no delays.
That’s it. No runaround.
Hours:
Monday–Friday: 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 12:45 PM–5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
If you’re bringing in materials for the first time, it’s worth calling ahead to confirm anything you need to bring with you.
For Businesses and Property Managers
If you’re a property manager, HVAC contractor, or facilities team replacing multiple units this season, we handle bulk drop-offs and can talk through scheduling for larger loads. Reach out to [email protected] to set up a commercial account and get a fair rate on volume.
Bottom Line
Don’t let a dead AC unit take up space in your garage or side yard all summer. Bring it in, we’ll weigh it, and you’ll get paid before you leave.
