There is no single AC scrap price per kg in Saudi Arabia. An air conditioner is not one metal. It is copper, aluminium, steel and plastic bolted together. Buyers weigh the unit, judge how much copper and aluminium it holds, then quote a blended rate per kilogram. Call 0572188268 for a rate on your unit.
If you have an old split unit sitting on a roof in Dammam, or twenty window units pulled out of a hotel in Al Khobar, the first question is always the same. What is it worth per kilo? This guide explains how the number is built, so you can judge any offer you get, including ours at MAB Scrap Metal.
What does “AC scrap price per kg” really mean?
A scrap buyer does not pay you for “an air conditioner”. He pays for the metal he can recover from it and sell on.
A 1.5 ton split unit might weigh 45 to 55 kg in total. Inside that weight you have copper tubing and motor windings, an aluminium fin coil, a steel casing and compressor shell, plus plastic and foam that is worth nothing. The copper is the expensive part. The steel is the cheap part. The final per-kg number you are offered is an average of all of it.
That is why two ACs of the same weight can fetch different money. One may have a copper coil. The other may have an aluminium coil. Same box, different value.
What decides the price of your old AC
1. Total weight
Everything starts on the scale. Heavier units carry more recoverable metal. A ducted or package unit from a shop or mosque will always beat a small window AC on total value, even if the per-kg rate is similar.
2. How much copper is inside
Copper drives the number more than anything else. Older units tend to use copper coils and copper tubing. Many newer budget models use aluminium coils to cut cost. An AC with a full copper coil is worth noticeably more per kilogram.
3. Complete unit or stripped
A complete unit with its compressor still attached is worth more than an empty shell. If the compressor has already been removed and sold, tell the buyer before he arrives. It changes the quote.
4. Condition and contamination
Rust on the casing is fine. Metal is metal. What lowers the rate is a unit packed with dirt, concrete, insulation foam or water. That is weight the buyer pays for and cannot sell.
5. Quantity
One AC from a villa and forty ACs from a hotel renovation are different jobs. Bulk lots get better rates because the collection cost per unit drops. If you are a contractor clearing a building, say so on the first call.
6. Location and access
A ground floor storeroom in Dammam is easy. Twelve units on a fourth floor roof with no lift is labour. Access affects what a buyer can pay.
Value levels by AC type
We do not publish fixed riyal rates, because scrap rates move with the global metal market and would be wrong within a week. What stays true is the ranking. Use this table to see where your unit sits.
| AC type | Typical weight | Copper content | Value level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ducted / package unit | High | High | Highest |
| Split AC (copper coil) | Medium | High | High |
| Split AC (aluminium coil) | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Window AC | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Car AC parts | Low | Low to medium | Medium |
| Empty AC casing only | Low | None | Lowest |
For a current figure on your exact lot, call 0572188268 or send photos on WhatsApp.
Split AC vs window AC vs ducted: which pays more?
Ducted and package units pay most, simply because of size. One rooftop package unit can weigh more than six window ACs.
Split units come next. The outdoor condenser holds the compressor and most of the copper, so it carries the value. The indoor unit is mostly plastic and thin aluminium and adds little.
Window ACs are compact but dense. They hold a decent amount of copper for their size, which is why they still sell well by weight.
How much copper is inside an air conditioner?
It varies by model and age, and nobody can give you an exact figure without opening the unit. As a rough guide, the copper sits in three places: the condenser coil, the connecting pipe between indoor and outdoor units, and the compressor windings. Older and larger units generally hold more.
One warning. Do not cut open the unit yourself to pull the copper out. AC systems hold refrigerant gas under pressure, and releasing it is both unsafe and against environmental rules in Saudi Arabia. Licensed buyers recover the gas properly before dismantling. You will usually earn more selling the unit whole than damaging it trying to strip it.
How we calculate your price at MAB Scrap Metal
- You call or send photos. Type of AC, how many, and where they are.
- We give an indicative range. Based on the current market and what we can see.
- We inspect on site. Free, at your location, at a time you choose.
- We weigh on a digital scale. You watch the weight. No guessing.
- You get paid in cash. Same visit, before we load.
If our number does not suit you, there is no obligation. Call two or three buyers and compare. A short comparison call is the single best thing a seller can do.
Where we buy AC scrap
We collect across Dammam, Al Khobar, Al Qatif, Al Jubail, Al Hofuf and Al-Ahsa, and we also serve Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Taif, Yanbu and Rabigh for larger lots. Homes, villas, workshops, hotels, mosques, offices and factories are all fine. See the full list on our Area We Serve page.
Four mistakes that lower your AC scrap price
- Letting units sit in the rain for a year. Water and dirt add dead weight and cost you.
- Selling one unit at a time. Collect them, then sell in one go.
- Mixing AC scrap with general rubbish. Sorted metal always earns more than a mixed pile.
- Accepting the first quote without weighing. Always ask to see the scale.
Frequently asked questions
What is the AC scrap price per kg in Saudi Arabia today?
It changes with the copper and aluminium market, so no honest buyer will quote a fixed figure that stays valid. Call 0572188268 and we will give you today’s rate for your unit type.
Do you buy non-working air conditioners?
Yes. Whether it cools or not makes no difference. We buy for the metal, not the function.
Is a split AC worth more than a window AC?
Usually yes, mainly because it weighs more overall. Per kilogram the two can be close, depending on the coil material.
Do you remove the AC from the wall?
Yes. Our team handles removal and loading. You do not need to dismount anything.
How many ACs do I need before you will collect?
There is no strict minimum for most of the Eastern Province. For small single-unit jobs far from Dammam we may ask you to combine it with other scrap.
Do you buy AC scrap from companies and contractors?
Yes. Hotel refits, office fit-outs, mosque upgrades and factory HVAC replacements are regular work for us. Scheduled collection can be arranged.
Should I remove the copper myself first?
No. It is unsafe, it breaches refrigerant handling rules, and damaged units usually fetch less than intact ones.
Do you pay cash on the spot?
Yes, cash on collection after weighing. Bank transfer can be arranged for larger commercial loads.
Can you also take the old fridges and freezers?
Yes, along with cables, aluminium, batteries and general metal scrap from the same site.
How fast can you come?
Same day or next day in most of the Eastern Province, subject to the schedule that day.
Ready to sell your old AC?
Send us a photo and a rough count. We will tell you what it is worth and when we can come. Call or WhatsApp 0572188268, or use the contact form. You can also read our detailed AC scrap rate guide or see everything we buy on our Air Conditioner Scrap page.