by Cooper Climate Control
0
Often when we think of protecting our homes from possible theft, we look to safeguard our precious valuables inside the home. This is part of the reason why copper theft in our area is so insidious. Thieves target air conditioning units that sit unprotected outside the home, where it may take only a few minutes to destroy the unit while yielding valuable copper wiring.
Cooper Climate Control recognizes that market demand for copper continues to increase, which inflates the price for the precious metal. With the nature of supply and demand, copper theft is now a very prevalent crime, especially in areas like ours where the weather dictates the need for a cooling and heating system.
The good news is that prevention goes a long way in this case. Here are a few simple, fairly inexpensive steps you can use to limit your homes a/c unit exposure to copper theft.
Remove any landscaping features or yard fencing that obstruct the view of the outdoor A/C unit. Don’t give thieves the ability to work out of sight of neighbors or passersby.
Install or improve lighting around the air conditioning unit. Consider installing a sensor light to respond solely to activity around your HVAC unit. Thieves don’t want to be seen committing their acts, and the cost for a dedicated sensor light far outweighs the cost of replacing a unit once it has been stripped down.
Enclose the outdoor unit in a special cage or a wire fence installed around the central air conditioner. Thieves want what’s easy, not what they have to work for.
If you live in an area where copper theft is high, you may also consider spraying or brushing information-storing microdots on the copper tubing. Microscopic dots contain information that is unique to your home and your property and can be read with an ordinary magnifying glass.
Ultimately, Cooper Climate Control is happy to address any questions from new and current clients about safeguarding your HVAC system. Make an appointment today and we will inspect your current unit and assess ways you can protect yourself while keeping your home at its most comfortable!