Stop Copper Thieves From Stealing Your AC Unit (14 Tips)
With copper prices soaring over $5 per pound, you can stop copper thieves from targeting your HVAC equipment. Review my 14 tips, you don’t have to do them all.
Update – April 2025: With copper prices over $5 per pound again, AC unit theft is on the rise. These 14 tips can help you secure your HVAC system before it becomes a target.
Just a few minutes of vandalism can cost homeowners thousands. Many experts have said that it only takes about 20 seconds to disconnect and steal an air conditioner and I believe them. Here’s how to protect your system from becoming their next target.
1. Install Security Cameras
Visible cameras are a top deterrent. Thieves don’t want to be caught on video. You’ve got to stop copper thieves in their tracks. We live in a reasonably low crime area. At least we haven’t been picked on much. I had an engine hoist stolen from my backyard, so I don’t leave anything out anymore.
Product Pros
Product Cons
My heat pumps are water source so I don’t have any outdoor units, but I’m still cautious and keep things locked up. I like the idea of security cameras most of all the ideas here because like I said “thieves don’t want to be caught” and they don’t like cameras.
2. Use a Lockable Security Cage
A heavy-duty steel cage makes your unit far less appealing. A very simple straight forward device to thwart the robber in his tracks. When copper thieves see this cage they immediately know that time is not on their side and they will leave you alone and pick on the next victim.
AC unit anti-theft cages in most cases, will merely slow a thief down in the process of stealing your equipment. There are several types available at various prices.
These cages work for either an air conditioner or a heat pump. Be sure the dimensions fit your unit and read the return policy in case it doesn’t fit. Service technicians will not necessarily love you for having one of these cages, especially if the keys are hard to find.
3. Add Motion-Activated Lighting
Lighting is controversial but thieves prefer the dark. Lights that trigger when someone gets close can scare them off fast.
4. Install an AC Alarm
Alarms that detect tampering or refrigerant loss can sound the second a thief starts work.
5. Lock the Electrical Disconnect Box
Most electrical disconnect boxes are kind of flimsy to begin with. Since thieves are sensitive to electricity just like any of us, they want to turn off that power before they start removing your air conditioner. Adding most any kind of lock will be a slight deterrent and make them think you are prepared for them with maybe more ammo.
6. Mark the Copper Tubing
Make your copper hard to sell. Paint it or mark the copper in some way. Use your imagination with something that can be reported to the copper buyers in your area.
Police in some areas recommend using spray paint, engraving or other ways to distinctively mark the copper tubing in your unit so that thieves will have a much more difficult time selling it.
7. Install a Fence or Barrier
A solid fence or screen makes access tougher and helps conceal the unit from view.
8. Trim Bushes and Shrubs Around the Unit
Thieves love hiding spots. Keep the area around your AC unit wide open.
9. Remove Landscaping Around Outdoor Unit
Two reasons for clearing the area around an air conditioner or heat pump. The main reason we are talking about here is to not give AC thieves anywhere to hide while conducting their business.
The other is condensing units need lots of air to work efficiently.
10. Install Security Signs
Even a fake camera and a bold sign can deter a casual thief. Make sure your signs look authentic. Burglars may be stupid for stealing air conditioners, but they know a fake sign when they see one.
If your choice of sign resembles a big name security company be careful about infringing on a companies trademark or name. Along this same idea you could add fake security cameras.
11. Encourage A Neighborhood Watch In Your Area
Word spreads fast. If thieves decide to hit one house because it looks easy, the neighbors are next. Neighborhood Watch began in 1972 with funding that has been discontinued. But the movement is still alive and has some very good success.
12. Add Gravel Around the Unit
Walking on gravel is noisy — and it slows people down. It might make your service technician angry but if they are like me they carry a pad to kneel on. But then again so might a copper thief. But they can only carry so much for a quick getaway.
13. Chain the Unit (When Practical)
A heavy-duty chain and padlock can act as a backup barrier. This seems like a small deterrent but like we’ve discussed every little bit adds a little bit of discouragement to stop copper thieves.
14. Schedule Regular Maintenance Checks
Catch early signs of tampering before it’s too late. Perhaps you were targeted and thieves began to dismantle your AC unit. A good technician will know when a AC unit has been tampered with. Have scheduled maintenances done. Maintenance will prolong the life of your HVAC equipment anyway.
Bonus Tip:
Have A Big Loud Dog
Even a little loud dog can scare copper thief or make them think twice about neighbors being alerted. But if you are serious about having a dog for protection of yourself, your family and property, then picking the right breed is very important.
Some of the best breeds for protection are:
Bullmastiff
rover.com
Doberman pinscher
Giant schnauzer
Akita
German shepherd
Staffordshire bull terrier
Rottweiler
Puli
Rhodesian ridgeback
It seems inhumane to just get a dog and park it in the back yard to guard the AC unit. Dogs can be very sensitive to sounds outside the home when kept inside with the family though.
We have had lots of dogs but currently we don’t own a dog. From past experience of having dogs we recognize how much of an investment in time, money, and inconvenience animals can be. It just doesn’t fit our life style, and it may not be yours at the moment to own and properly care for pets especially a big dog.
The more defensive mechanisms you create to stop copper thieves from stealing an outdoor air conditioner or heat pump, the greater the chance homeowners will have of saving their units from theft. Every little deterrent adds up to a thief skipping your HVAC equipment and going to the next unit that’s easier to steal.
My da told me that he would like o to install a new AC system in his second home but he is afraid that someone steals the outdoor unit. I like how you suggest anchoring the HVAC system to a concrete pad to make it impossible for thieves to take it. Thanks for sharing this article, I will definitely tell him to look fora place where he can buy a concrete pad to place the equipment. http://unitstepjoliet.com/commercial-precast-products/
Hi Derek, Maybe he should pour a concrete pad that would be oversized for the unit and then anchors can be placed in the bottom pan and that would really discourage theft of the unit. The precast pads on the market are very light weight and nothing to anchor to because they are nothing but foam inside.
Today’s going to be a great day.