E-Scrap & Compressors Scrap Price Trends

over the last 30 days

In the last month in the E-Scrap & Compressors category: price is up for 5 grades, price is steady for 4 grades, and price is down for 1 grade.

How Have Prices Moved Over the Last 52 Weeks?
Over the past year, the category average ranged from $0.17 to $0.27.
Mar '25Jun '25Sep '25Dec '25Today
How Yard Prices Track the Exchange (COMEX)
Average discount to the exchange for this category: ~92.9% (-$3.79/lb). Based on 10 grades with exchange data. Normal range for this category: 84%–98%.
✓ All 10 grades are within normal market range

U.S. National Price Benchmark — E-Scrap & Compressors in Connecticut

Local scrap yards in Connecticut sometimes post their prices with a short delay. To keep you informed of what your metal is worth right now, we use U.S. national averages as a reference. The secondary metals market responds to exchange moves in sync across the country — use this national benchmark when negotiating with local buyers. E-Scrap & Compressors prices across the U.S. →

Current E-Scrap & Compressors Scrap Prices in Connecticut by Grade

Here is the E-Scrap & Compressors data we have on file for Connecticut. Local yards don't always update their online prices daily — if your grade isn't listed, use the National Benchmark above as leverage when negotiating with local buyers.

+32.1% / 30 days
Automotive Alternators U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.48 / Range: $0.35 – $0.60/lb
Trend (30d): +32.1%
View Details
+11.7% / 6 mo.
Copper Transformers U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.43 / Range: $0.30 – $0.55/lb
Trend (6m): +11.7%
View Details
+20.7% / 90 days
Automotive Starters U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.40 / Range: $0.30 – $0.50/lb
Trend (90d): +20.7%
View Details
Copper Electric Motors U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.38 / Range: $0.25 – $0.50/lb
Trend (30d): 0.1%
View Details
+3.8% / 30 days
Sealed Unit Compressors (Appliance) U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.32 / Range: $0.20 – $0.43/lb
Trend (30d): +3.8%
View Details
Automotive AC Compressors U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.28 / Range: $0.25 – $0.30/lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
View Details
+21.5% / 6 mo.
Light Ballasts & Power Supplies U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.23 / Range: $0.15 – $0.30/lb
Trend (6m): +21.5%
View Details
Scrap Engines & Transmissions U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.17 / Range: $0.15 – $0.18/lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
View Details
Aluminum & Steel Transformers U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.16 / Range: $0.12 – $0.20/lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
View Details
Aluminum & Dirty Motors U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.16 / Range: $0.09 – $0.22/lb
Trend (6m): -17.8%
View Details

Best Scrap Yards for E-Scrap & Compressors in Connecticut

Live prices from local scrap yards in Connecticut. Compare offers and find the buyer paying the most.

Updated 2/17/2026

Cable Management

Meriden, Connecticut6 grades on price list
ELECTRIC MOTORS (SMALL)
$0.15 /lb|🠅 $0.05 (50%)
AC COMPRESSORS
$0.18 /lb
ALTERNATORS
$0.40 /lb
STARTERS ALUM NOSE
$0.25 /lb|🠅 $0.01 (4%)
PALM TRANSFORMERS (CU)
$0.29 /lb|🠅 $0.04 (16%)
STEEL CASE TRANSFORMERS
$0.05 /lb

Don’t see your scrap yard in Connecticut? List it for free.

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E-Scrap & Compressor Load Value Estimator

Selling a mixed load? Pick the grades below — a weight field appears after you select at least one grade, then the calculator estimates your haul’s value from current average prices in Connecticut.

Select a metal above to calculate its value

Yield Analysis: Understanding E-Scrap & Compressor Recovery

The exchange price represents pure, refined metal (99.9%+). Each scrap grade contains varying levels of impurities, which require different amounts of processing. The higher the percentage, the more valuable the grade and the closer its payout is to the spot price.

GradeExchange (100%)Yard Price (per lb)Grade Quality
Scrap Engines & Transmissions $1.00 LME$0.17
High Grade16%
Aluminum & Steel Transformers $1.00 LME$0.16
High Grade16%
Aluminum & Dirty Motors $1.00 LME$0.16
High Grade15%
Automotive Alternators $5.30 COMEX$0.48
Mid Grade9%
Copper Transformers $5.30 COMEX$0.43
Low Grade8%
Automotive Starters $5.30 COMEX$0.40
Low Grade8%
Copper Electric Motors $5.30 COMEX$0.38
Low Grade7%
Sealed Unit Compressors (Appliance) $5.30 COMEX$0.32
Low Grade6%
Automotive AC Compressors $5.30 COMEX$0.28
Low Grade5%
Light Ballasts & Power Supplies $5.30 COMEX$0.23
Low Grade4%

📊 What Determines Grade Value:

  • Copper-to-Steel Ratio: Items like Copper Electric Motors command higher prices because the copper windings inside are more valuable than the heavy steel housing.
  • Winding Material: Buyers look for copper; Aluminum & Dirty Motors fetch less because aluminum is cheaper and harder to extract from the motor core.
  • Component Density: Heavy casings on Sealed Unit Compressors (Appliance) lower the overall payout percentage relative to the total weight compared to lighter automotive components.
  • Core Charge Potential: Many yards pay more for Automotive Starters and alternators because they can be sold as 'rebuildable cores' rather than just straight scrap metal.
💡 Pro tip: If your load of Aluminum & Steel Transformers is landing in the low-grade tier, try to separate them from your copper-heavy units. Mixing them often results in the whole bin being downgraded to the lowest price per pound.

Maximizing Returns on E-Scrap & Compressors in Connecticut

In the world of scrap, 'breakage' items like motors and compressors are where many peddlers lose money by not knowing their grades. The current range for this category in Connecticut spans from $0.09 to $0.60 per pound. While these aren't as high as clean copper, the weight adds up fast. Our data shows that Copper Electric Motors and Automotive Alternators remain the most sought-after items by regional processors due to their high recovery of non-ferrous metals.

Why Sorting Your Motors Matters

Not all motors are created equal. If you toss Aluminum & Dirty Motors into a gaylord box with premium copper units, don't be surprised when the yard pays you the lower rate for the whole load. This 'downgrading' can cost you upwards of $0.32 on a single heavy load. Local yards in Connecticut are looking for the copper content, so being able to identify your Copper Transformers versus aluminum versions is the difference between a good day and a great one.

Yard Pro Tip: When dealing with Sealed Unit Compressors (Appliance), never cut them open yourself unless you have the proper EPA certifications for refrigerant recovery. Most yards want them sealed and intact; if they see a jagged torch cut, they may refuse the load entirely due to environmental liability.

E-Scrap Prep & Sorting Guide

  • Automotive Scrap: Keep Automotive Starters and AC compressors separate. These often go to specialized core buyers rather than the shredder, resulting in a better price.
  • Electric Motors: Remove any attached pumps, pulleys, or heavy steel brackets. You want to sell the motor, not the junk steel attached to it.
  • Transformers: Large Copper Transformers are a goldmine, but check the weight. If they have heavy steel mounting frames, some yards will knock the price down to 'Mixed Motors' grade.
  • E-Scrap Power Supplies:Light Ballasts & Power Supplies are often graded as a mid-tier electronic scrap. Ensure ballasts are marked 'No PCBs' or yards in Connecticut might reject them on sight.

Market Insights

The Mechanics of E-Scrap & Compressor Pricing

Prices for E-Scrap & Compressors in Connecticut are highly sensitive to both the copper and steel markets. Since most of these items are 'breakage' scrap—meaning they require industrial shredding or manual teardown to recover the internal metals—the prices reflect the labor involved. Local yards track the COMEX closely, but your actual payout is determined by the yield percentage. If a motor is 15% copper by weight, expect the price to move in tandem with copper futures minus a significant processing spread of approximately 92.9.

Pro Tips for Better Scale Payouts

  • Cut the Cords: Don't leave long power leads on your motors; cut them off and sell them as insulated copper wire for a higher per-pound rate.
  • Drain Your Fluids: Many yards will reject or deduct weight from Scrap Engines & Transmissions if they are dripping oil or coolant.
  • The Magnet Test: Transformers with copper windings are worth significantly more than aluminum ones. Scratch the wire—if it’s silver inside, it’s aluminum.
  • Separate AC Units: Ensure Automotive AC Compressors are separated from steel compressors to secure the premium aluminum-case pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are 'Sealed Units' in the scrap world?

Sealed units are the compressors found in refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners. They consist of a thick steel shell housing a high-quality electric motor. Because they are difficult to process, yards pay a flat 'Sealed Unit' rate.

Are alternators and starters worth more than regular motors?

Yes, usually. Automotive Alternators contain a high density of copper and specialized components. Many buyers offer a premium over standard electric motors because of their higher recovery value.

Do yards pay more for large engines?

For Scrap Engines & Transmissions, weight is your friend, but purity is your enemy. An engine with the transmission and all accessories (alternator, starter) still attached might be bought as a 'Complete Auto Engine' grade, which is often a better deal than stripping it to the bare block.