What Are Sealed Units & Compressors?

Sealed units and compressors are commonly found in refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, heat pumps, dehumidifiers, and commercial refrigeration equipment. Their purpose is to compress and circulate refrigerant throughout the cooling system.

Because they contain a combination of steel, copper, aluminum, and other recyclable metals, sealed units and compressors are widely accepted by scrap yards.

What Determines Their Value?

The scrap value of a sealed unit or compressor depends on its size, weight, construction, and the amount of recoverable metal it contains. These components are typically heavy due to their steel housing, while the interior often contains valuable copper windings and other non-ferrous metals.

Preparing Sealed Units for Recycling

Sealed units should remain intact and should not be dismantled unless they have been properly handled using the appropriate equipment. Many units contain refrigerants and compressor oil that must be removed and disposed of in accordance with applicable environmental regulations.

Keeping the compressor complete allows recycling facilities to process it safely and recover the maximum amount of recyclable material.

Why Recycle Sealed Units & Compressors?

Recycling sealed units and compressors helps recover valuable metals while ensuring that refrigerants and oils are handled responsibly. Proper recycling conserves natural resources, reduces landfill waste, and supports the production of new metal products.

• Recovers valuable steel, copper, and aluminum.
• Ensures refrigerants and oils are managed safely.
• Reduces environmental impact by diverting materials from landfill.
• Provides value from obsolete or unwanted appliances and HVAC equipment.

Whether removed during appliance replacement, HVAC upgrades, or demolition projects, sealed units and compressors remain an important source of recyclable metals.