Is it possible that a very old wall air conditioner could have asbestos inside it?
By admin on Sep 19, 2009 in Maintenance & Repairs
Josh S asked:
I live in an apartment that came with a very old air conditioner. When I opened the front panel I discovered that there is a blackish gray brittle material used as installation around the inside edge. I don’t know how old it is, but it reminds me of asbestos. I don’t know what asbestos looks like exactly, so I was wondering if anyone knows if this is what it is or if it is just some other harmless material. I don’t trust the apartment manager to have followed the proper safety regulations and removed asbestos from the property. Give me a shout if you know the answer.
I live in an apartment that came with a very old air conditioner. When I opened the front panel I discovered that there is a blackish gray brittle material used as installation around the inside edge. I don’t know how old it is, but it reminds me of asbestos. I don’t know what asbestos looks like exactly, so I was wondering if anyone knows if this is what it is or if it is just some other harmless material. I don’t trust the apartment manager to have followed the proper safety regulations and removed asbestos from the property. Give me a shout if you know the answer.
On Sep 20, 2009, wwwstat said:
i dont think this asbestos as that sounds like the normal insulation in nearly all window and thrun the wall and evaporator units…asbestos was outlawed from ac usuage back in the seventies…most asbestos used is in heat or ac is a whitish or grayish looking color and breaks off very easy…havent seen asbestos in any ac or furnace made after 1975
On Sep 21, 2009, Selvan said:
If that unit was manufactured before 1970’s, the chances is high. At one point of time, asbestos was used as Insulation.
On Sep 23, 2009, Just wonderin' said:
While anything is possible, it is not probable. I have sold, installed and serviced literally hundreds of wall A/C units over the last 30 years and I have never seen a wall or window unit with asbestos in it. Asbestos usually is a very light gray to white in color and comes in a variety of different conditions, from fairly flat like card-stock to corrugated like regular cardboard to hard,thick almost concrete like material. I am confident that if you have a wall A/C unit with factory installed asbestos, I would guess that it would be in excess of 40 years old, and probably would not be operational any more.
On Sep 25, 2009, carl said:
this blackish/gray brittle material is used for insolation.does not have asbestos.it is brittle should be replaced.
On Sep 27, 2009, mel said:
how something can “remind” you of asbestos, yet you’ve never seen it, is a complete mystery to me.
asbestos was used as an insulation on HOT WATER AND STEAM PIPES because IT DOES NOT BURN.
not on air conditioners.
you don’t trust your apt manager? move.
are you looking for a way to sue and make money? look elsewhere.
stop trying to create drama where none is warranted.
On Sep 29, 2009, grayhambone said:
what are YOU doing, opening the ac cover? If I was the apartment mgr I wouldn’t TRUST YOU!!!
On Oct 2, 2009, josh said:
Here is a good resource for Asbestos: