When Old Air Conditioners Die: Reclaimed Refrigerant And The Environment

Why shouldn't you toss your old refrigerator into a landfill

? What happens when your air conditioning system loses its chill? How can you inject new life into a running but warm freezer?

Every system that cools an environment, whether it is the inside of your frig or freezer or the air in your home requires a refrigerant to keep things cool. Ammonia, carbon dioxide, and non-halogenated hydrocarbons are three of the substances that are used to transfer heat away from wherever it is that you want cooler temperatures.

By putting these substances under pressure and, in some systems, causing the substance to transfer between liquid and gaseous states, your cooling system absorbs unwanted heat and moves it to the outside of the particular environment. Thus, you're not so much injecting cold as removing heat from the air. Many types of refrigerants have come under attack in the past and currently because of their potential to damage the ozone layer.

Ozone is created when oxygen molecules are radiated by the sun and form molecules that include three oxygen atoms instead of the more familiar two. The resulting molecules actually protect the earth from the more harmful effects of the sun's rays, shielding us from dangerous radiation while still allowing heat to reach the earth's surface. Chloroflourocarbons, manufactured as part of one of the earlier forms of refrigerants, were found to be escaping and floating up into the stratosphere, damaging the ozone.

They have since been banned throughout the world. Today, it is required by law that refrigerants be reclaimed from cooling systems. The refrigerant is processed, and the resulting reclaimed refrigerant is like virgin refrigerant, meaning that all impurities have been removed and it can be pumped back into cooling systems. This greatly reduces the possibility of dumping what could be toxic chemicals into the ground or water, which could harm plant, animal, and human life.

The other huge advantage to reclaimed refrigerant is that it can save thousands of dollars on building projects. Reusing cleaned refrigerant is the smart choice. When you have a refrigerator, freezer, or air conditioning system that just isn't chilling like it's supposed to, make sure that you have it disposed of properly. Most cities have reclamation sites, and there is usually a number you can call in order to have someone come out and remove the machinery for you. You may even be able to claim a small reward! The machine will be shipped to a center where the refrigerant can be removed and reclaimed safely, and you'll be doing your part to keep the earth cleaner.

by: Art Gib

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