HVAC Scrap Metal Singapore

HVAC work in Singapore — split-unit servicing, chiller replacements, fan-coil refreshes, ductwork rip-outs — generates a steady stream of scrap dominated by AC compressors, refrigeration copper, and sheet metal ductwork. Molten Steel works directly with HVAC contractors, servicing companies, and MEP specialists across the island. Refrigerant-handled units only; we coordinate recovery where needed.

What We Collect from HVAC Work

• AC compressors — reciprocating, scroll, screw. Small splits through to chiller compressors.
• Chillers — air-cooled, water-cooled, decommissioned as whole units or dismantled
• Fan coil units (FCUs) — ceiling cassette, concealed, floor-standing
• Condensing units and split-system outdoor units
• Refrigeration copper scrap — suction, liquid, and discharge lines; high-purity grade
• Sheet metal ductwork — galvanised supply and return, aluminium scrap flex, insulated duct
• stainless steel scrap kitchen exhaust ducting — 304/316 commercial kitchen runs
• Ferrous components — chiller frames, pumps, AHU casings — graded as HMS (heavy melting steel) scrap
• brass scrap fittings and valves — flare unions, service valves, TXVs

Refrigeration copper is usually our cleanest, highest-grade non-ferrous input — it pays well. Reference rates on current scrap metal prices.

How Our HVAC Scrap Service Works

1. Quote — send photos, equipment list, or book a site visit. We quote by item and by bulk tonnage where relevant.
2. Refrigerant recovery first — this is non-negotiable. Your licensed refrigeration technician recovers refrigerant before we touch the unit. We can refer one if you don’t have coverage.
3. Dismantling or whole-unit removal — whole chillers sometimes go out on a flat-bed; FCUs and split units typically come off the wall or ceiling with a crew.
4. Transport and weighbridge — compressors, copper, and sheet metal weighed separately for best grading.
5. Payment — spot loads paid on collection or weigh-out; contract clients settled monthly.

Scheduled Pickup vs. One-Off Clearance

Scheduled pickup (servicing companies, MEP contractors)

HVAC servicing companies change compressors, FCUs, and split units constantly. Scrap accumulates at the yard every week. We run a scheduled route — dedicated bins for compressors, copper, and ferrous — with weekly or fortnightly exchange.

One-off clearance (chiller replacement, plant room decommissioning)

Chiller replacement projects, building plant room upgrades, and end-of-life mall or office-tower HVAC refreshes produce large one-shot loads. We quote fixed-price including cutting, rigging, and transport. Works well paired with our industrial scrap metal services offering.

Compliance & Documentation — and Refrigerant Caveats

Refrigerants are the critical compliance point in HVAC scrap. Molten Steel does not recover refrigerant — that’s a licensed refrigeration technician’s job. We only accept compressors and coils that have been pumped down and recovered to NEA guidelines. Documentation we issue covers the metal side:

• NEA-licensed scrap dealer — credentials on our licensing and credentials page
• Weigh records and grade receipts per pickup
• Disposal certificates for building-owner ESG and ISO 14001 reporting
• Refrigerant recovery certificate (from your technician) retained in the job file
• Waste oil handling for compressor oil through licensed waste oil partner

Who Works With Us

Regular clients include HVAC contractors handling chiller plant installation and replacement; ACMV servicing companies running residential and commercial routes; MEP subcontractors on commercial and industrial fit-out; refrigeration specialists serving F&B, logistics, and pharma cold-chain; and building operators running in-house HVAC teams. Coverage across Singapore including Jurong, Tuas, CBD, Changi, and suburban commercial precincts. Starting points: metal scrap collection, scrap metal recycling.

Why Refrigeration Copper Prices So Well

Refrigeration copper — the suction, liquid, and discharge lines that carry refrigerant between compressors, coils, and condensers — is near-pure copper with minimal oxidation and no insulation layer to strip. It grades out as our cleanest copper input and consistently earns top rate. Compare that to older electrical cable, where there’s always an insulation deduction, or plumbing copper, which often has residual water and joint contamination. Refrigeration copper comes off the unit clean, coils neatly, weighs easily. For HVAC servicing companies with regular compressor changes, the refrigeration copper stream is usually the highest-margin line on the monthly statement.

Compressor and Chiller Dismantling

AC compressors range from small rotary units in split systems (a few kilograms each) to large screw compressors in chillers (several hundred kilograms). We accept all, with refrigerant recovered beforehand. Compressors contain a mix of steel shell, copper windings, and aluminium — we either grade and weigh whole compressors by type (most common for high-volume clients), or break them down for full grade recovery on larger bulk loads. Chiller dismantling involves removing compressors first, then separating the copper tube-in-shell heat exchangers, aluminium/copper condenser coils, steel frame, and auxiliary components. Large whole-unit chillers sometimes go out on a flat-bed directly if onward smelter handling is confirmed.

Typical HVAC Client Types We Support

• HVAC installation contractors on chiller plant, AHU, and FCU projects
• ACMV servicing companies running residential, commercial, and retail maintenance routes
• MEP subcontractors on commercial and industrial fit-out involving HVAC scope
• Refrigeration specialists serving F&B cold rooms, logistics cold chain, and pharma
• Building operators and FM teams running in-house HVAC maintenance
• Chiller replacement specialists on office tower, hotel, and mall upgrades
• Ductwork fabricators clearing production offcuts and install waste

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you accept compressors with refrigerant still inside?

No. Refrigerants must be recovered by a licensed refrigeration technician before we collect. Residual refrigerant in a compressor is both a regulatory issue and a safety hazard during handling. If you don’t have in-house refrigerant recovery, we can refer a licensed technician — their cost is separate from our buyback.

How do you handle sheet metal ductwork?

Sheet metal ductwork — galvanised steel supply and return, aluminium flex — is bulky and lightweight. We either cut and flat-pack at pickup (ductwork loaded flat takes 3–4x more per truck than as-installed) or run roll-on/off containers for larger plant room strip-outs. Graded as galvanised sheet ferrous or aluminium scrap depending on material.

What about smaller split units and residential HVAC scrap?

We focus on contractor-scale volumes but regularly pick up from servicing companies whose residential work produces compressor and copper scrap in accumulated batches. A single split unit isn’t economical to collect, but 50 accumulated compressors, a drum of copper, and a stack of FCU coils is a standard route pickup. Service specs on metal scrap collection.