Can junk removal take a window air conditioner?

The basics

Window air conditioners contain refrigerant — older R-22 in pre-2010 units, R-410a or R-32 in newer ones. Under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, refrigerant has to be recovered by a certified technician before the unit is disposed of. Just like refrigerators.

This means:

• You can’t put a window AC unit at the curb on regular trash day
• Aurora’s regular trash service won’t take them
• The hauler you use has to route through a Section 608 compliant facility

Junk Nurse complies. The cost is built into our standard pricing.

What to do before we arrive

1. Unplug the unit. Standard 120V plug. Easy.
2. Remove the unit from the window if possible. Two people, slow lift, especially for second-floor windows. If you can’t do this safely, we’ll do it.
3. Place the unit somewhere accessible — garage, mudroom, just inside the front door.

If the unit is currently installed in a window and you can’t safely remove it, no problem. We’ll come and do the window removal too. Just let us know when you book so we can plan the floor/window location.

Window AC removal pricing

• Single window AC, already out of window: $50–$100
• Single window AC, we remove from window: $75–$125
• Multiple window AC units (3–5 from one house): $100–$200 total
• Window AC plus other items: volume pricing, no separate AC fee

What about portable AC units?

Same rules. Portable AC units (the freestanding kind with a vent hose to a window) contain refrigerant just like window units. Section 608 applies. Junk Nurse takes them at the same pricing.

What about central AC condensers?

Different process. Central AC units have line sets that must be disconnected by an HVAC technician (who also recovers the refrigerant per Section 608). Once the tech has done that, Junk Nurse removes the condenser as a standard appliance pickup. Typical cost after HVAC disconnect: $100–$200.

Common scenarios

Old window AC in the garage from 5 summers ago. Single-item pickup, $50–$100. Quick.

Three window AC units, one from each bedroom, all need to go before central AC install. Common call before new HVAC installation. We take all three same-day. $125–$200 total.

Apartment cleanout with window AC included. Built into volume pricing for the apartment move-out.

Window AC still installed in a second-floor window, owner can’t safely remove it. We come and remove from the window. Two people, careful lift. $75–$125.

What about repair vs. disposal?

Most modern window AC units (post-2015) are sealed systems — the refrigerant lines are factory-charged and not field-serviceable. If the unit isn’t cooling, the compressor or refrigerant circuit has failed, and repair typically costs more than replacement. Disposal is usually the right call.

Older units (pre-2010) sometimes used R-22, which is no longer manufactured and very expensive to recharge. Same conclusion: not worth repairing.

What about donation for working window AC?

Working window AC units rarely qualify for donation centers because:

• Storage capacity is limited at most centers
• Donation recipients typically need installed units (window mounting, electrical)
• Recent units are inexpensive new, so used demand is limited

If you have a working unit, Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist work better than donation. List free or low-priced and it’ll often move within hours during cooling season.

For full details on AC removal, see our air conditioner removal guide.