Can I keep and resell my old working HVAC system?
Contractors typically expect to take and handle old units, leaving homeowners wondering if they can keep a functioning system to sell and recoup some of their replacement costs. Because used HVAC units have decent potential value, keeping them avoids unnecessary waste, though it requires having the storage space and navigating whether to ask the installer to leave it behind.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Having contractors scrap the old equipment for metal recycling
- 2Asking the contractor about their policy on old equipment removal
- 3Selling the unit for scrap value at a scrapyard
- 4Listing the used unit on platforms like Facebook Marketplace
- 5Giving or selling the unit to low-cost landlords or homeowners who can install it themselves or use a handy connection
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Is there a place I can sell them or is it standard that the contractors take them and sell them?”source ↗
“I want to make sure that the system is not just thrown away if it can be sold to save me some money.”source ↗
“Maybe this is a stupid question, but I’m thinking about getting my working HVAC unit replaced along with the one that has died.”source ↗
“I feel like with how expensive these systems are, my used one that is working should be worth a decent amount, right?”source ↗
“Do people buy used working systems? I have the space to store it, so that’s not A huge issue.”source ↗
“Would I be an asshole for asking them to leave the old system and let me resell it?”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 4Will servicing an old HVAC unit break it?
- 2Can I rotate my AC condenser without damaging the refrigerant lines?
- 14Should I replace old asbestos-wrapped ductwork while walls are open?
- 3HVAC technician left exposed wires outside unit
- 16Why are HVAC replacement quotes so expensive?
- 6Burning smell coming from HVAC vents