The Effects of Old Air Conditioning Units

Toxic PCBs

• Air conditioning units made before 1979 contained a substance called polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs. PCBs are any oily fluid used in appliance capacitors to help motors run more smoothly within the air conditioning unit. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found PCBs to be a hazardous chemical and banned the use of them in 1979. They have been found to harm the environment, as well as humans, causing negative effects on the immune, reproductive and nervous systems.

Energy Inefficient

• Old appliances, such as air conditioning units, are not as energy-efficient as new appliances. New appliances are made to fit rigid EPA standards for energy use, meaning they consume less electricity than older models. Using less energy means there is less pollution emitted into the atmosphere from power plants, which is better for the environment.

Harmful HCFCs

• The majority of old window air conditioning units contain a refrigerant called hydrochlorofluorocarbon, or HCFC. HCFCs are an environmentally harmful chemical. When released into the atmosphere, HCFCs damage the ozone layer, which protects the earth from the intense rays of the sun. HCFCs are also a source for greenhouse gases that release into the atmosphere and cause fluctuations in the climate of the globe.

Proper Disposal and Replacement

• An air conditioning unit over 10 years old should be replaced to reduce negative effects on the environment. Local public waste departments or recycling centers offer information about how to properly dispose of an old appliance. Drop-off or pick-up services can usually be arranged with a recycling center. Proper disposal ensures that no harmful chemicals will be released into the atmosphere. Search for new appliances that are energy-efficient and meet the standards of environmental safety set by the EPA.