Commercial 5 ton Air Conditioner Locked in a cage
Surprisingly, air conditioning systems are stolen regularly. Thieves prey upon unexpecting building owners, most frequently targeting churches and commercial buildings. Thieves rip out systems and units, which can award them with maybe $50 per unit in scrap metal. However, the cost to replace the unit will be thousands of dollars to the building owner.
Secure Your AC System
The most common approach is to cage the unit (see above), as it’s the most intimidating strategy. However, there are a number of ways to cage an HVAC condenser. We always recommend having a professional who is experienced in caging air conditioners perform this kind of work. This is because systems need to breathe and be accessible for repairs while still being secure. If the panel is blocked by a cage the unit can be much more difficult, and sometimes impossible, to repair.
A cage is just one of many ways to protect your HVAC unit. Take a look at these alternative (or additional) strategies.
- Locking the disconnect box prevents thieves from being able to turn the unit off. This ensures that anyone who attempts to move the unit will experience quite the electrical shock.
- AC unit alarms connect to the system and emit a loud alarm sound when tampering occurs. Just like the sound of a home alarm, this system will stop the theft in its tracks.
- Having the condenser unit located in a well-lit but hidden spot can prevent theft. Keeping the condenser in the back of the building or keeping the area well-lit makes the task of stealing it too difficult for the reward.
- Security cameras aimed at the condenser will deter thieves because they’re more worried about being caught than getting the unit. Many won’t even risk it.
The Cost of an AC Cage
Cages can be purchase and installed for around $600, depending on the size of the unit and application. The cost to do so may seem like too much to prevent something that may not happen to you, but investing in a cage will ensure that your unit never gets stolen.
Contact Mission AC today for an estimate and to start a service request.
