For an old refrigerator, you can expect to earn around $15 to $30 at a
Any size, brand, type, and age of refrigerator will have recyclable materials. Cohen will anything from mini-fridges to full, modern, double-door refrigerators. The larger refrigerators will typically provide you with more value for your scrap, due to the fact there is simply more valuable metal and plastic.
To qualify for $50, the unit must be 10 to 30 cubic feet in size. To receive $20, the fridge or freezer must be under 9.9 cubic feet. Use our convenient measurement tool on this page to see if your refrigerator or freezer qualifies for appliance recycling.
And, if all else fails, you can usually sell your old frig, working or not, for scrap. If your working refrigerator is less than 10 years old and in really good condition you can possibly get a few hundred dollars for it, especially from a private party.
Water heaters and other appliances that use plumbing for operation are especially worthy of collecting for scrap metal purposes. These types of appliances tend to feature valuable components that are in high demand, such as copper pipes and copper wiring.
Scrap yards pay varying amounts for appliances based on current metal pricing, the appliances size, weight, and condition. Typical payouts for appliances like washing machines, stoves, and dishwashers range from about $10 – $50.
COPPER. Copper is among the most valuable metals for most scrappers. Pound for pound, it is worth more than most other common metals and is the king of non-ferrous metals. Not all copper products are worth the same, though, and the price of copper can change dramatically over time compared to other metals.
You can make money with your old fridge by selling it online (such as on Facebook or Craigslist), placing ads in your local newspapers, or by selling it for scrap metal if it's no longer in working condition.
When it's time to get rid of your old appliances, you can expect to pay an average of $100, with costs commonly ranging from $60 to $180. Disposing of old appliances, especially large ones, can pose logistical challenges for homeowners.
Let's say you have a 5-year-old GE refrigerator that originally cost $750. Depreciation per year: $750 / 15 years (expected lifespan) = $50 Life left: 15 - 5 = 10 years Value: 10 years x $50 = $500 If the refrigerator is in excellent condition and there's high demand in your area, you might price it around $500.
The Compressor: The Heart of the Fridge
The compressor is responsible for circulating refrigerant to cool the refrigerator. It's not a part that fails very often or breaks down frequently, but when they do, it can add up to a hefty price or sometimes even cause a replacement.
The amount of copper a compressor contains varies from size to size. The compressor of a small refrigerator contains around one pound of copper, whereas a large refrigerator compressor contains about 2.5 pounds of copper.
Local utilities and energy-efficiency organizations support a growing number of refrigerator and freezer recycling programs. Some programs offer cash to recycle your old fridge; others offer utility bill credits.
Sell It to a Scrapyard
Another option is to sell your old refrigerator to a scrapyard to make some money back on the appliance. To sell a refrigerator for scrap, you first need to have the refrigerant removed and the lines capped by a licensed repair company.
Appliances Accepted for Pickup: Home Depot offers free pick up of used appliances of all kinds, from old dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers to oven ranges and stovetops.
Refrigerators and any appliances that use plumbing to operate - like an old rusted water heater - are especially worthy of collecting for scrap. This is because these appliances often have copper components; copper wire and plumbing scrap is valuable and gives you great profit.
Can I Remove Freon From a Fridge Myself? No, you cannot. Unless you are a Section 608 certified technician, you should not attempt to remove Freon from a refrigerator or another appliance like an air conditioner.
Older Refrigerators
If you have a refrigerator that is more than around 15 years old, then you will most likely have a fridge that weighs more than something newer. These can weigh as much as 250 pounds or nearly 100 kilograms.
Radioactive and hazardous materials should never be recycled to the same standards as metals. That's because if a scrap yard melts any radioactive metal without knowing, it will end up contaminating the rest of the metal, the equipment that is used during the recycling process.
Among all home devices, computers and televisions typically contain the most gold. Gold is also found in the circuit boards of earlier generations of cameras, radios, and media players.
The Cost of Processing: It's Not Free Money
Scrap yards don't just buy your metal and leave it at that. They have to sort it, process it, and prepare it for resale to manufacturers. These operating costs impact how much they're willing to shell out per pound or ton.