Radiator Recycling: How Much Are Copper, Aluminum, and Brass Radiators Worth in 2026?
A standard car radiator is worth $8 to $45 in scrap value depending on its core material. Copper-brass radiators ($1.80–$3.00/lb) command the highest prices, followed by aluminum-copper hybrids ($0.50–$1.20/lb), and pure aluminum radiators ($0.40–$0.70/lb). Scrap City buys all three types at our Pompano Beach and Delray Beach yards with same-day payment.
If a radiator is sitting in your garage, your shop’s “out” pile, or a customer’s old vehicle, you’re looking at something between $8 and $45 in instant cash — and sometimes a lot more if it’s an industrial unit or a vintage all-copper core. Radiators are one of the most overlooked sources of scrap value in South Florida, partly because most people don’t realize they contain a mix of three of the most valuable non-ferrous metals: copper, aluminum, and brass.
This guide explains how to identify what kind of radiator you have, what it’s worth in 2026, and how to bring it to Scrap City for the best price. Whether you’re a backyard mechanic clearing out a project, an auto repair shop turning out cores every week, or a contractor pulling HVAC units off a commercial job, this is the playbook.
Why Are Radiators Worth Recycling?
Radiators are designed to maximize heat exchange, which means they pack a huge surface area of conductive metal into a small space. That’s exactly the property that makes them valuable as scrap. A standard passenger-car radiator typically weighs between 8 and 20 pounds and is composed almost entirely of recyclable non-ferrous metal — no plastic body, no steel chassis, no fluff.
Three reasons radiators rank among the best-paying common items at any scrap yard:
The metal content is high-purity. Unlike a mixed appliance with screws, plastics, and circuitry, a radiator is built from clean copper, brass, or aluminum with minimal contamination — so the buy price stays close to the spot rate.
The supply is steady. Cars, trucks, HVAC systems, and industrial machinery all use radiators that need replacement every 8–15 years. South Florida’s climate accelerates corrosion, which means a constant flow of cores into shops and yards.
The market is global. Copper from a Pompano Beach radiator ends up in the same global supply chain as freshly mined material — it competes directly with mining output, which is why scrap prices closely track LME (London Metal Exchange) spot rates.
How to Identify Your Radiator Type
Before pricing a radiator, you need to know what it’s made of. There are three main types you’ll encounter in South Florida.
Copper-Brass Radiators (the most valuable)
These are the radiators that built the auto industry — used in vehicles up through roughly the late 1980s and still common in heavy-duty trucks, classic cars, agricultural equipment, and industrial machinery. The fins are usually copper and the tanks are brass, joined by lead solder.
How to identify a copper-brass radiator:
- The fins have a pinkish-orange tint when scratched (copper)
- The tanks (top and bottom reservoirs) are golden-yellow (brass)
- It’s heavier than it looks for its size
- A magnet does NOT stick to any part of it
- It often shows green oxidation in spots (verdigris)
Aluminum-Copper Radiators
A transitional design used in many vehicles from the 1990s through about 2010. The cooling core is copper, but the side tanks are aluminum (or sometimes plastic). These are still valuable because of the copper content, but worth less than full copper-brass.
All-Aluminum Radiators
The standard in modern cars since roughly 2010. Lightweight, efficient, and recyclable, but worth significantly less per pound. The whole unit looks silver-gray, doesn’t develop the green patina of copper, and is noticeably lighter when you pick it up.
2026 Radiator Scrap Prices in South Florida
Prices change daily with the metals market. The figures below reflect typical Scrap City buy ranges in the first half of 2026 — call ahead for that day’s exact rate.
| Radiator type | Price range (2026) | Typical unit value |
|---|---|---|
| Copper-brass (vintage) | $1.80–$3.00 per lb | $25–$60+ |
| Aluminum-copper (90s–00s) | $0.50–$1.20 per lb | $8–$25 |
| All-aluminum (modern) | $0.40–$0.70 per lb | $4–$15 |
| Heavy-duty truck core | varies — by weight | $40–$200+ |
| Industrial / HVAC core | varies — by weight | $50–$500+ |
Two important notes about this table:
Cores are weighed and priced after any tanks, fans, or housings are removed. If a side tank is plastic, it gets discarded and you’re paid only for the metal core.
If you have a large quantity (10+ units, or industrial cores), Scrap City often quotes a flat per-unit or per-pound rate that beats the walk-in price.
Special Cases — When Radiators Are Worth a Lot More
Some radiators significantly exceed the typical price ranges above.
Vintage all-copper cores. Pre-1970 vehicles, agricultural tractors, and stationary engines often used radiators with both copper fins and copper tanks. These are nearly 100% copper and can pay $3+ per pound on the entire unit.
Heavy-duty truck radiators. Class 7 and Class 8 trucks (semis, dump trucks, fire engines) carry radiators in the 40–80 pound range. Even at standard rates, these are $80–$250+ units.
Industrial heat exchangers. HVAC condensers, refrigeration coils, chiller units, and process-equipment heat exchangers can contain large quantities of copper. Scrap City handles these on a per-unit basis — see our HVAC recycling guide for details.
Stainless-steel radiators. Rare but found in certain marine and industrial applications. These are priced at the stainless rate, which currently runs around $0.40–$0.65 per pound.
How to Sell Your Radiators at Scrap City
The process at our Pompano Beach and Delray Beach locations is the same:
- Bring valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or state ID).
- Drive onto the certified scale — we weigh your vehicle in.
- A staff member identifies and grades each radiator.
- You drive off the scale; we calculate the net weight.
- Receive same-day payment by check or electronic transfer.
For loads of 10+ radiators or industrial cores, call ahead at 954-545-1991 — we can prep paperwork, schedule a dedicated bay, and quote a flat rate before you drive over.
At Scrap City, we make the process fast, transparent, and competitive — with real-time pricing, expert grading, and same-day payment at both of our South Florida locations. If you’re unsure what you have or want to maximize your return, our team is ready to help you identify, sort, and price your radiators on the spot.
Don’t let valuable metal sit unused. Bring your radiators in, get paid what they’re worth, and keep the recycling loop moving.
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