How Do I Secure My Air Conditioner From Theft

Air conditioner theft is becoming increasingly common in urban areas. Newly installed air conditioners are being plundered within days, and those involved in the theft don’t take the whole cooling unit with them; they just strip off whatever part they deem valuable.

Thieves go after the copper parts in AC units which can be sold as scrap metal worth a few hundred dollars. If they have the time, thieves won’t mind stealing the whole AC unit – which costs you a fortune.

Most homeowners don’t consider protecting their unit after air conditioner installation. This makes their air conditioner an easy target for unscrupulous robbers. It will take an experienced thief a short amount of time to harvest the copper metal. A few protective measures can save you from regret in the future.

Our AC installation experts at Quick Air have identified some ways by which you can secure your air conditioner from theft.

TIP 1: Install the AC Unit in a Visible Place

While this may sound counterintuitive, making your air conditioner unit visible can help reduce the chances of theft. No criminal wants to be seen committing a crime. Your neighbours or passersby can witness the theft and alert you or the police. Make sure that your unit is not covered by bushes or other objects.

TIP 2: Motion Detection Lights

As thefts happen in the cover of darkness, illuminating your AC unit or placing it in an open place where everyone can see it is a good tactic. You can also place motion detector lights which will activate as soon as the thief gets close to your air conditioner. This sudden burst of light will cause the thief to stop dead in his tracks.

TIP 3: Home Surveillance

Security cameras will make thieves think twice before trying to steal your AC. This is a great way to secure your air conditioner from theft. You can also install a security alarm that will alert you once it detects any tampering in the AC systems components. This sound will be loud enough to scare the thief and make them run away.

Modern systems provide the facility of contacting the police or emergency contacts in case of theft detection. These alarms can be added at the time of air conditioner installation.

TIP 4: A locked Cage

Installing a locked cage for your outdoor Air Conditioning unit is one of the most reliable security methods.  These cages are installed by skilled professionals only. This will cost you a few hundred dollars. However, a thief will not bother wasting their time trying to open a locked cage and will move on to find other easy targets.

It is advised that you do not go for cheap cages which provide little or no protection to the copper parts in your air conditioner.

TIP 5: Get a Guard Dog

If you’re a dog person, getting a guard dog could be the perfect solution. The guard dog will bark or attack any unknown person who tries to break into your property. This is another viable solution to secure your air conditioner from theft.