The question of the content of non-ferrous metals in household appliances often arises among those who plan to recycle an old unit or are engaged in professional dismantling of equipment. Copper is one of the most valuable components hidden inside the case, and its quantity directly affects the final cost of the scrap being handed over. However, finding pure metal is not as easy as it might seem at first glance.
On average, a standard household refrigerator contains from 1.5 to 3.5 kilograms of copper, if we consider all components together, including the motor windings. But this figure varies greatly depending on the year, model and type of compressor. Modern units often contain less copper due to the optimization of production processes and the use of aluminum in heat exchangers.
To accurately understand how much copper is in the refrigeratorit is necessary to disassemble the design of the device into its component components in detail. Only a separate analysis of the compressor, condenser and evaporator will give a real picture that can be used to estimate profit when delivering it to scrap metal collection points.
The main sources of copper in the design of the refrigerator
The main “storage” of non-ferrous metal in the refrigerator is compressor, which is often called the heart of the unit. This is where the copper winding of the electric motor is concentrated, hidden inside a steel casing. The weight of this winding makes up a significant part of the total copper in the device, but it can only be removed by completely and carefully opening the compressor housing, which is a labor-intensive process.
The second important element is heat exchangerwhich can be made of copper or aluminum. In older models made before the mid-2000s, the condenser (grill at the back) and evaporator (inside the chamber) tubes were almost always made of pure copper. This was done for the sake of high thermal conductivity and durability, since copper is less susceptible to corrosion and is easier to solder during repairs.
⚠️ Attention: In modern refrigerators, manufacturers are increasingly replacing copper tubes with aluminum or copper-coated steel to reduce costs. You can visually distinguish them by the color of the cut and magnetic properties (steel is magnetic, copper and aluminum are not).
The third source, which is often forgotten, is electrical cables the wiring inside the unit. Although their overall weight is small compared to the compressor, the copper content of the insulation and conductors is also taken into account when making accurate calculations. The total weight depends on the length of the route and the cross-section of the wires used by the manufacturer.
📊 What material are the tubes in your refrigerator made of?Copper (red color)Aluminum (silver)Steel (magnetic)I don’t know, I haven’t opened itDisassembly of the compressor: where is the main volume hidden
When answering the question how much copper is in the refrigerator, the lion's share of the metal falls on the motor-compressor. Inside the sealed steel housing there is an electric motor, the stator of which is wound copper wire. The weight of this winding in household compressors varies from 0.3 to 0.8 kg, which is up to 40% of the total mass of copper in the entire refrigerator.
In addition to the winding, a significant amount of metal is contained in the tubes coming out of the compressor housing. The suction and discharge tubes, as well as the process pipe, are often made of high quality pure copper. When dismantling, it is important to carefully saw off these elements so as not to damage them and save weight for delivery.
There are also inverter compressors, the design of which may differ from classic linear models. They can use more electronics and less pure copper in the windings by changing the way the motor operates. Therefore, when evaluating old linear models, you can count on a greater yield of non-ferrous metal.
How to safely open a compressor?
Opening a compressor with an angle grinder requires extreme caution. There is no freon inside (if it is bleed), but there is oil. You need to cut carefully so as not to damage the winding if the goal is to remove the copper intact. However, it is often easier to hand over the entire compressor as an electric motor if the collection point accepts such scrap at a separate price.
Heat exchangers: condenser and evaporator
The refrigerant circulation system consists of two main heat exchange units: a condenser (located outside) and an evaporator (located inside the freezer or refrigerator). In classic models of the “crying” type or units with the old-style No Frost system, these elements are made of copper tubes with a diameter of 4-8 mm.
The weight of copper in the heat exchangers depends on the dimensions of the refrigerator. In large-volume two-chamber models, the length of the tubes can reach 15-20 meters. If the tubes are copper, then this unit alone can contain from 0.8 to 1.5 kg of pure metal. Aluminum analogues weigh significantly less and are valued cheaper by scrappers.
Particular attention should be paid to the system No Frost. In such refrigerators, the evaporator is often hidden behind a plastic panel in the freezer and consists of a coil with aluminum plates. The tubes in modern No Frost models are often aluminum, which reduces the overall copper mass of the device. However, in older No Frost models, copper was used throughout.
Table: Approximate yield of copper by nodes
For the convenience of estimating potential profits, you can use averaged data. Below is a table showing how much copper is contained in various components of a typical two-chamber refrigerator of average power.
Refrigerator assembly Material of execution Approximate weight of copper (kg) Note Compressor winding Copper wire 0.3 – 0.8 Requires opening the case Compressor tubes Copper 0.1 – 0.2 Easily accessible scrap Condenser (grid) Copper / Steel / Aluminum 0.5 – 1.2 Depends on the year of manufacture Evaporator Copper / Aluminum 0.3 – 0.8 Often hidden behind plastic Wiring and cables Copper 0.1 – 0.3 Including the power cord As can be seen from the table, the total weight can reach 3 kg or more in older models. However, in modern budget units this figure can be halved due to the use of aluminum alloys steel. The exact weight can be found out only after complete disassembly and weighing.
Factors influencing the amount of copper
The year of manufacture of the refrigerator is a determining factor. Devices manufactured in the USSR or in the 90s almost always contained the maximum amount of copper in all components. Engineers of that time prioritized reliability and maintainability, therefore copper tubes windings were the standard, despite the high cost of the material.
The brand and class of equipment also play a role. Premium models from well-known European and Japanese brands often retain copper in heat exchangers, even in new lines, providing better heat transfer. Budget Chinese and domestic mass market models are actively switching to aluminium steel in order to reduce the cost of the final product.
⚠️ Attention: Prices for copper scrap and acceptance conditions may vary depending on the economic situation and the policies of collection points. Before handing over the equipment, check the current prices and requirements for metal sorting in your region.
The type of refrigerant indirectly affects the design. The transition from freon R12 to R134a and R600a (isobutane) required changes in the system. Isobutane is explosive, which required tighter connections but did not necessarily affect the tubing material. However, the general trend towards minimizing weight and cost leads to a decrease in the share of non-ferrous metals.
☑️ Evaluation of the refrigerator before delivery
Completed: 0 / 5Economic feasibility of copper extraction
Is it worth disassembling the refrigerator yourself for the sake of copper? The answer depends on your goals and the tools you have. If you have access to free cutting equipment (grinder, metal shears, scales) and the ability to sell copper at a high price of "mix" or "burnt wire", then the activity can be profitable.
However, if we consider labor costs, then extracting copper from the compressor requires significant effort. It is necessary to carefully cut the steel case, knock out the rotor and stator, then remove the winding. It is often easier and faster to hand over the entire compressor to the “electric motors” or “mix” category, where the price per kilogram is lower, but labor-intensive cutting is not required.
In addition, when handing over an entire refrigerator as scrap or household appliances, you save time and get rid of other components (plastic, glass, rubber), which also need to go somewhere. Economic benefit copper extraction is offset by time costs only if you have a large amount of equipment (batch of 5-10 pieces or more).
Environmental aspect and disposal
Proper disposal of refrigerators is important not only for the sake of obtaining copper, but also for protecting the environment. Inside the circulation system there is a refrigerant that, if released into the atmosphere, can harm the ozone layer or increase the greenhouse effect. Modern freons are less dangerous, but their release into the atmosphere is still undesirable.
When disassembling yourself, you must follow safety precautions. There may be oil mixed with freon in the system, which requires special disposal. Environmental responsibility implies the delivery of all components to specialized points, where they will be processed accordingly and not thrown into a landfill.
Copper is a material that is 100% subject to recyclable without losing its properties. By extracting and donating copper, you help conserve natural resources, as smelting scrap requires significantly less energy than mining and primary processing of ore. This makes the recycling process an important contribution to the circular economy.
What to do with compressor oil?
Technical oil from the compressor should not be poured down the drain or onto the ground. It must be collected in a sealed container and handed over to waste oil or hazardous waste collection points.
How many kilograms of copper are in a Soviet refrigerator exactly?
In Soviet refrigerators (for example, "ZIL", "Biryusa" of the old series) the copper content was maximum. The compressors were heavy, with massive windings, and all the tubes were copper. The total weight of copper could reach 3-4 kg, and in some large models up to 5 kg. This made them a “gold mine” for scrap collectors in the 90s.
Is it possible to determine the material of the tubes without disassembling?
Yes, indirectly. Look at the rear grille (condenser). If it is black and steel (check with a magnet), and the tubes going into the compressor are copper, then part of the system is copper. If the grille is aluminum or steel, and the tubes are silver, most likely there is no copper in the heat exchanger. The exact answer will only be given by stripping a section of the tube: the copper inside will be reddish.
Why is there less copper in new refrigerators?
The main reason is cost. Copper is an expensive non-ferrous metal, the price of which is constantly rising. Replacing with aluminum or steel allows manufacturers to reduce the cost of a unit of equipment by tens of dollars, which provides huge savings on a scale of millions of copies. In addition, modern technologies make it possible to work effectively with less thermally conductive materials.