Appliances eventually become old and break down. Some appliances that still work may just not be very energy-efficient anymore and you may decide that you want to throw your old appliances away. You may not want all of that money to simply to go a landfill, but who would want an old appliance? The answer: a scrap metal buyer. But in order for your old appliances to be valuable, you will need to disassemble them and remove the metal components.
Can You Disassemble It Legally?
First, find out whether your state allows for you to disassemble your appliance in the first place. Some states require that appliances be scrapped professionally. You will save money if you disassemble the appliance yourself. However, if your state does not allow for your appliance to be disassembled, a scrap metal buyer will usually do it. You will especially need to rely on a scrap metal company when scrapping a refrigerator because freon must be emptied out.
Should You Scrap It?
Before you begin disassembling an appliance, it is important to find out if it is worthwhile to disassemble it in the first place. Some appliances are very valuable, such as a cast iron bathtub. Other appliances that also may contain a valuable amount of scrap metal include:
- Washing machines
- Dryers
- Refrigerators
- Ovens and ranges
- Air Conditioners
You can typically earn at least $10 from each of these appliances. With appliances that are less valuable, you may be reluctant to take your time to disassemble them for only a few dollars. However, it might be worth it if you are concerned about the impact that you have on the environment.
Washing machines come with a motor that has copper and wiring inside. It also comes with a stainless steel drum. Dryers also come with a motor that contains metal components. Almost an entire oven can be scrapped, but there are metals that are mixed together that you may want to separate to increase your profit.
How Old Is It?
Another consideration is how old your appliances are. Appliance manufacturers have reduced the amount of scrap metal that they have used over time. Therefore, you can expect to find a lot more scrap metal when taking apart an old appliance than if you would if you took apart a newer one.
Are You Being Safe?
In order to safely disassemble your appliances, it is important to first unplug the appliance. It is recommended that you use a multimeter to make sure that the appliance is still de-energized. If there are any batteries, remove them.
Check out a website like http://www.bigdaddyscrap.com for more information and assistance.
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