Ever wondered how much air-conditioning Singaporeans actually use?
We have more installed air-conditioning units per person than other parts of Southeast Asia, which shows that we’re truly
air-conditioning addicted. Apart from the amount of energy we guzzle, we should also think about how many air conditioners we’re going to dispose of.
Air conditioners have a typical lifespan of between 10 and 15 years, and trying to extend it beyond that would prove to be damaging and inefficient. This is especially so for older models that are not as efficient as modern ones.
Getting rid of your
air conditioner is not as simple as throwing it down the refuse chute. There are certain things you need to do to ensure that it’s safely disposed of. 81Aircon is one of the best
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Why We Need to Dispose Our Air Conditioners Carefully
Air conditioners use refrigerants to complete the entire cooling process. Even if you use an air conditioner that uses more environmentally friendly refrigerants, like a
LG R32 aircon that uses an LG R32 refrigerant gas, it will still be harmful when incorrectly disposed of.
Refrigerants contain greenhouse gases like hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC), hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) and chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). Apart from HFC, the other gases play a part in depleting the ozone layer and therefore harm the environment.
If you throw your air conditioner away in a typical landfill, the refrigerant may leak and affect the environment, increasing global warming as a result.
How to Dispose Your Air Conditioner
Send It to a Professional Recycling Centre
Air conditioners fall under the e-waste category.
The NEA has implemented e-waste recycling programmes for individuals and households. You can drop off your air conditioner at the listed recycling points to recycle your e-waste properly.
As of July 2021, a regulated e-waste management system based on the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) approach has been in place. This system ensures that producers will undertake the responsibility of collecting and treating their products at their end-of-life.
Other businesses also offer recycling programmes, like Gain City. You can take your air conditioner there for their professionals to properly dismantle and dispose of without harming the environment.
Trade or Donate It
Apart from sending your air conditioner to a recycling centre, you can also trade or donate it at the respective collection centres. Sometimes, you may get an incentive in return as well, depending on what the terms are.
Call a Professional Air Conditioner Removal Service Provider
Some companies offer an air conditioner removal service to help you dispose of your air conditioner. This method is considerably hassle-free since all you need to do is call the business and wait for them to send someone to your doorstep with a fee.
Refurbish Your Air Conditioner
If your air conditioner has some sentimental value, or for whatever reason that you wish not to dispose of it completely, you can choose to refurbish it instead. Since replacement can be expensive, you can opt for a cheaper method and refurbish it.
Refurbishment typically involves topping up the refrigerant gas, fixing leakages in the piping,
deep cleaning the inner systems, and repairing the condenser fins and fans. However, you should note that air conditioners made before 2010 cannot be refurbished since they use the old R-22 refrigerant. If you want to check whether an older model can be converted to be compatible with newer refrigerants, you can see whether there are brands that allow this.
