The one thing that opportunistic thieves in the Yuma area can easily take from your yard is the copper from the outdoor condenser for your air conditioner or heat pump. When the price of copper rose in the early 2000s, condensing units have been the target of many thefts.
Since air conditioning isn’t an option in this area, it’s important to safeguard your condenser, especially if it sits on the ground. Even though most homes in this area have backyard fencing, it’s not uncommon for ambitious thieves to hop the fence to disconnect the condensing coil from the unit to quickly remove it.
These techniques will work to reduce the odds of someone stealing your condenser’s coil. While it’s inconvenient to lose the conditioned air it provides, you might have to replace your entire system if an exact match for your air handler isn’t available, which could be costly, depending on your homeowner’s insurance deductible.
- Putting a metal cage over it. These cages allow for plenty of airflow around the condenser for optimal operation and bolt into the concrete slab. Their locks prevent anyone without the key from accessing the unit. You’ll be able to open the cage for periodic cleaning, as will your HVAC contractor.
- Shining a light on it. Place a motion-sensing outdoor light near the condensing unit. An LED spotlight on a motion sensor won’t use much electricity and will deter any intruder.
- Tying it into your home security system. Whether you use cameras or sensors, you might be able to tie your condenser into the system. Your security provider can help you which would work best with your system.
- Alarming it. If you don’t have a security system, ask your HVAC contractor to put an alarm or switch on the condenser’s refrigerant line. Anytime the pressure drops quickly, an alarm will sound.
Safeguarding your home’s condenser with any of these options reduces the risk of copper theft from your yard. The pros at Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company can help you find the best solution, providing trusted HVAC services for Yuma-area homeowners.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Yuma, Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about keeping your HVAC system safe and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 928-723-3183.
Credit/Copyright Attribution: “monam/Pixabay”
