Safeguard Your Heat Pump From Theft

Copper may not be the most precious metal around, but when it comes to theft, its value is definitely on the rise. Unfortunately, this means that the copper refrigerant coils in your air conditioner or heat pump condenser are increasingly attractive to thieves. All over the country, thieves are breaking into condensers and taking out the copper, forcing homeowners to go through the aggravation of repairing and even replacing their outside units. Here are some preventive measures you can take to safeguard your condenser. 

• Use shrubbery to conceal your unit from the view of passersby. Be aware, however, that a thief can hide behind the shrubs you’ve planted to conceal your unit. Also, plant the shrubs several feet away from the unit. Air needs to freely flow into and out of your condenser.
•  Install motion sensitive lighting which will go on automatically when someone approaches your condenser.
• Get a surveillance system, and install the cameras in a place where you can monitor the condenser.
• Talk to your HVAC-system contractor about moving the unit to another side of your home, where you can see it. Many contractors recommend placing a condenser on the north side of a home. But if your home has sufficient shading, placement on an east, west or south side might be fine.
• Have your HVAC professional recommend and install a steel cage around the condenser. For many homeowners, this is the preferred option, because a cage can’t be easily removed or destroyed. In addition, many cages are aesthetically pleasing. Your HVAC professional will recommend a cage that doesn’t hinder airflow.

Your cooling and heating systems are an investment that you need to protect. At CCAC in Corpus Christi, we’re committed to helping you do that. Give us a call, and we’ll help you with any of your comfort-system needs.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about heat pump thefts and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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