Appliance Removal Cost: Fridges, Washers, and Dryers
Appliance removal cost is deceptively complicated because the rules changed in 2023 and most blog posts you will find online have not been updated. Refrigerators, freezers, and window ACs all contain refrigerants that legally have to be recovered by a certified technician before the unit hits a scrap pile. That drives the price higher than a simple haul job. Here is what you should actually expect to pay in 2026.
Section 01
Refrigerator and freezer removal
Full-service pickup runs $85 to $150 for a standard fridge, $100 to $175 for a large side-by-side, and $120 to $200 for a freezer or wine cooler. The price includes refrigerant recovery at a certified facility. Retailer haul-away (Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe's) runs $25 to $50 with the purchase of a new fridge. Scrap metal yards will pay you $15 to $40 for a fridge, but only after it has been certified as refrigerant-free, and that certification costs $40 to $75 at most HVAC shops.
Section 02
Washer and dryer removal
Washers and dryers are cheaper because there is no refrigerant. Full-service runs $75 to $125 per unit, $125 to $175 for the pair. Scrap yards pay $8 to $25 per unit at 2026 scrap steel prices, so if you can drop it off yourself you basically break even with the transfer station fees. Retailer haul-away on a new appliance purchase is usually $25 to $40.
Section 03
Stoves, ovens, and dishwashers
These are priced like washers and dryers. Expect $75 to $125 for a standalone range or dishwasher, $100 to $175 for a built-in wall oven (because of the extraction labor). Gas ranges add $25 to $50 for safe line disconnection. Always shut off the gas at the valve before the crew arrives, not at the burners.
Section 04
Air conditioners and water heaters
Window AC units run $50 to $100 each (refrigerant surcharge included). Central AC outdoor units run $150 to $300 depending on size and refrigerant type. Water heaters run $95 to $175, with tankless electric running cheaper than 50-gallon tank models.
Section 05
The free option almost nobody uses
Many municipal power companies run appliance recycling rebate programs that will haul your old fridge or freezer for free and pay you a $35 to $75 check for doing it. Check your utility's rebate page before calling a hauler. The catch is that they only take working appliances, not broken ones. If your fridge still runs, this is almost always the best deal available.
Frequently Asked
Questions, answered.
Why does fridge removal cost more than a washer?
Refrigerators and freezers contain refrigerants that have to be legally recovered by an EPA-certified technician before scrapping. That adds about $40 to $75 in compliance cost to every fridge pickup.
Will Best Buy take my old refrigerator?
Yes, with the purchase of a new appliance, typically for $25 to $50. They will not pick up without a new purchase except in limited promotional windows.
Can I scrap my own washer at a metal yard?
Yes. Most scrap yards pay $8 to $25 per washer at current steel prices. You need a way to haul it and the patience to deal with a scrap yard line.
Is there a free way to get rid of a fridge?
Many electric utilities run rebate programs that haul working refrigerators and freezers for free and pay you $35 to $75. Check your power company's efficiency rebate page before paying a hauler.
Need the job done?
Book a crew that knows the work.
Titan Group operates Junk King across six metros. Free on-site estimates, volume-based pricing, same-day and next-day availability.