Window unit AC: Cost to drain right vs scrapping gain (number help)

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Originally Posted by Trickcard

After reading all the post with the information Mike tossed at me (I did not google that much into it) and all the correct terms and lingo my head hurts!

So what I will do is thus: Place all 3 of the ACs in the corner of my back yard, find out how to tell what "COOLANT" is in each unit (what R# it is, I know one is with out a shell) and mark that down for latter, and then at a latter point (much latter) I will get the stuff and certification. I want to do this right. So I will search around and find out were and how to get the testing/training. I know the forums have that info or places to look to.

I'm doing all I can to not be a, what's a good term, a #$%^ ball scrapper. When I get something that may be bad, TV tubes, magnetrons, LCD screens. I know were thy go and what is done with them. I'm lucky my city handles them the way thy need to be or so thy say. I'm not planing to get into the "well I only do it once or twice" habit. So you all don't need to worry about what's going on in my little part of Souther AR. Just needed feed back on how other people dealt with the stuff and maybe could toss there .02¢ on how thy handled it in the start.

Thanks for the intel! None of it was taken the wrong way. Just learning more ways on doing it right.:)

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Kudos on this. I currently have 23 window units in my barn waiting for me to get my certification and evac equipment. I have seen what looks to be some fairly reasonably priced units on craigslist for sale. One way you can possibly make your money back a little quicker is to offer your evac services to other scrappers in your area that do not have the equipment. Just charge them a nominal fee, and you get the fee and (generic name) freon. I would do just like freonjoe says though, have them bring the unit(s) to you with the cases off, so you can have easy and immediate access to the copper lines.

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Originally Posted by mikeinreco

Although scheduled by the EPA for phase-out, R22 refrigerant may still be used in small refrigeration systems manufactured before 2003. As of 2010, recycled or saved stores of R22 are also available for use, but R22 is no longer produced or imported by chemical manufacturers in developed countries, such as the United States and Canada. R22 may be used in older refrigeration and air conditioning units as well. R134 was designed to replace HCFC refrigerants used in automotive air conditioning, refrigeration and air conditioning units to replace R22.

Read more : The Difference Between R134 and R22 Air Conditioner Refrigerants | eHow

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The phase out schedule has actually been changed. See the attached link:

EPA Proposes Final R-22 Phaseout Timeline | 2013-12-30 | ACHRNEWS

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Originally Posted by freonjoe

If someone shows up at my shop, I will recover them for free as long as the cases are off. Sometimes I just buy them outright for .15 a pound. As far as the refrigerants having value, R11, R12 and R22 are worthwhile to recover and sell. R134 and R410 aren't worth shipping. That includes all the blends as well. IE 401 A & B, 402 A & B, etc. I think all the blends start with a 4 except 502 if I remember right.

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There are actually 13 blends that start with a 5 according to the document at the attached link:

List of refrigerants - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Personally, I have run into R-500 and R-502B

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trickcard

After reading all the post with the information Mike tossed at me (I did not google that much into it) and all the correct terms and lingo my head hurts!

So what I will do is thus: Place all 3 of the ACs in the corner of my back yard, find out how to tell what "COOLANT" is in each unit (what R# it is, I know one is with out a shell) and mark that down for latter, and then at a latter point (much latter) I will get the stuff and certification. I want to do this right. So I will search around and find out were and how to get the testing/training. I know the forums have that info or places to look to.

I'm doing all I can to not be a, what's a good term, a #$%^ ball scrapper. When I get something that may be bad, TV tubes, magnetrons, LCD screens. I know were thy go and what is done with them. I'm lucky my city handles them the way thy need to be or so thy say. I'm not planing to get into the "well I only do it once or twice" habit. So you all don't need to worry about what's going on in my little part of Souther AR. Just needed feed back on how other people dealt with the stuff and maybe could toss there .02¢ on how thy handled it in the start.

Thanks for the intel! None of it was taken the wrong way. Just learning more ways on doing it right.:)

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All units should have a tag on them that lists, along with other info, the type of refrigerant and the amount.

My 2 Cents..

I am/was in a very similar situation. I started by getting 4-5 HVAC units from a hotel (3-4 times the size of a window unit) and that stack has grown into 20+ along with 4-5 fridges/freezers.
I went to Johnstone University (online classes for Johnstone stores), paid $45 took an 8 hour class thing that consisted of 4 sections which you do at your own pace, used the reviews as study guides, and then went into the Johnstone store to take the actual test (another $45). $90 later I am now universal certified... BUT this method provided me with ZERO hands on experience and I am not 100% sure on the equipment specifics, and have never seen it done in real applications.

What I just did today was reached out to a couple CL ads which were advertising HVAC services, and also to an add that was selling manifolds, rec units, and storage cyclinders. I asked them if they would be willing to travel to my location, spend an hour or so evacuating a few units, and then also purchasing used equipment form them if available. If I can find someone to actually SHOW me how to do it I would be willing to spend $100 or so. Hopefully that is enough to make someone's time worth it.

ALSO! It sure seems like the r22 wont be too hard to sell if I can get the recovery down. Hopefully that will pay itself off eventually.

Freonjoe,
I have a bunch of questions...I'm hoping you have the patience to answer at least some of them!!

So there are quite a few Freons that aren't worth anything....What has to be done to dispose of those?

Where are these worthless freons typically found? Sounds like any item that has the worthless freons would be like scrapping a CRT TV...have to charge for disposal of the CRT in one and disposal of the Freon in the other.

What's the Freon worth in a typical fridge or window mount A/C, assuming it is worth something? Is it like 50 cents? 2 bucks? 5 bucks?

Thanks,
Jon.

I also have one question maybe some one can help me with.
the training guides/ test is geared towards service tech more than scrappers. my question is can you evacuate the system and quit with it still under vacuum? not to worried about contaminating the system if it's just scrap. or am i way off.
Thanks

Can some one ball park me the price of testing and equipment?

Jon,

The companies I deal with will dispose of blends and mixed refrigerants for free as long as you send in around 500 pounds or so of good refrigerant. As far as value per unit, you need to know how many ounces of refrigerant and what kind it is. You can ballpark R22 at 3.00 a pound and R12 at 6.00 per pound. Figure that you will recover about 90% of the listed refrigerant on the name plate as long as the system did not have a leak.
Most newer refrigerators will have 134A in them and newer a/c's will have 410. Ice machines and commercial equipment will often be 404A.

NHscrapman, I evacuate to 10 inches of vaccum. Afterwards you can cut the lines and remove your taps.

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Originally Posted by sawmilleng

Freonjoe,
I have a bunch of questions...I'm hoping you have the patience to answer at least some of them!!

So there are quite a few Freons that aren't worth anything....What has to be done to dispose of those?

Where are these worthless freons typically found? Sounds like any item that has the worthless freons would be like scrapping a CRT TV...have to charge for disposal of the CRT in one and disposal of the Freon in the other.

What's the Freon worth in a typical fridge or window mount A/C, assuming it is worth something? Is it like 50 cents? 2 bucks? 5 bucks?

Thanks,
Jon.

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Jon,

Some additional info (in addition to Feon Joe). I go thru an AirGas Reklaim program (look up on internet). I have had 1 good 50 pound tank of R-22. Paid $89. Had numerous other tanks partially full of various refrigerants. They said all came back either contaimanted or empty. I have had a problem with the seal on the reclaim tanks and the ones that are brought back with refrigerant can sit for months until they have enough to send in. Last tank that I dropped off, I put brass caps on the tank. Haven't checked if they did anything with it yet.

I've heard of recovered R-22 going for as much as $7 per pound early last year in Florida, but that was before they modified the R-22 phaseout schedule. I believe AirGas was paying around $2, but that can be reduced based on contaiment levels.

I currently have about 30 pieces to recover and will post if I get anything back on these.