Old refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners

It’s very important to dispose of old refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and heat pumps properly, so that the refrigerant chemicals inside are not released to the atmosphere.  For the same reason, it is important that these systems are properly maintained and repaired when necessary.  Refrigerants are the chemicals in refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners that allow the system to cool your house or car.  One of these chemicals, chlorofluorocarbon-12, the original Freon refrigerant, was found to deplete the ozone layer around the earth.  After its use was banned world-wide (the US ban took effect in 1994), the ozone layer began to heal, although it will still require decades to fully recover.  Freon is also a powerful greenhouse gas.  Many refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners still contain Freon-12.  A newer version, R-22 is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon that has less impact on the ozone layer but is also a greenhouse gas. Manufacture and import of R-22 is still allowed in the US until January 1, 2020.  The replacement chemicals, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), do not destroy ozone but the most common are up to 2000 times as potent as carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas, according to the EPA.  Still newer replacement chemicals are being developed but are not yet in widespread use. 
Some ideas to keep these chemicals out of the atmosphere:

• When you are ready to stop using a refrigerator, freezer, dehumidifier, or air conditioner, don’t just unplug it and leave it sitting for a long time.  The refrigerants will eventually leak out.  Instead, use the old appliance as a trade-in on a new one or contact a reputable appliance recycler.  In the US (and many other countries), companies are required by law to remove the refrigerants and ensure they are properly destroyed or recycled.  Use an EPA-certified company or technician with the appropriate equipment.
• The air conditioner in your car likely also contains one of these refrigerants.  Venting these refrigerants into the atmosphere is prohibited in the US and many other countries.  Specialized recovery equipment used by a trained technician can remove the refrigerant, recycle it, and then recharge the air conditioning system after it’s repaired. 
• If your air conditioner has small leaks and you’ve been having it periodically recharged with refrigerant rather than repaired, consider a more extensive repair or replacement to keep the refrigerant out of the atmosphere. 
• If you are buying a new refrigerator, freezer, or air conditioner, do some research on refrigerants and then buy a unit designed to use refrigerant that is more friendly to the atmosphere, with lower greenhouse gas potential as well as low ozone-harming potential.  Over the next few years, the new replacement chemicals and equipment that uses them will become more widely available.