Introduction
You might think your Mitsubishi air conditioning system is safe from outsiders, but thieves are relentless. They steal copper piping to high-end sound equipment, and an outdoor air conditioning unit is a prime target.
Criminals don’t play fair, so your best defence against air conditioner theft is to make it as difficult as possible for them.
Tips to Prevent Theft of Your Outside Air Conditioning Unit
It’s not the unit itself, but the scrap metal. Thieves don’t care if they destroy a unit worth hundreds of dollars—they only want the copper tubing and aluminium parts inside.
Here are some tips to deter criminals from your air conditioning unit:
Enclose the Unit
A thief might get twenty dollars for the items inside the unit. If it’s standing in the open, unprotected, it’s quick money. Installing a cage around the unit makes it less accessible.
Thieves will need tools to break open the cage, which is a more challenging proposition. There is a caveat here, though–make sure the enclosure doesn’t obstruct airflow.
Put in Lights
Thieves like working in dimly lit areas. It reduces the chances of being caught out.
If possible, position the unit where it’s easy for your neighbours to see and light up the area. Motion-activated sensor lights do the job well and require less power to operate.
Tie the Aircon into Your Home Security System
If someone breaks off the cover, you’ll know about it immediately. The noise might be enough to warn them off but connect the alarm to your security company or police anyway.
Make Your Property Less Appealing as a Target
A determined criminal will find a way past any security measure. It’s better to adopt a multi-layered approach.
An intrepid thief might think nothing about scaling a wall, but barbed wire or spikes are trickier. Electrify the fence as another barrier and add in a guard dog. Even the most daring thief will think twice about tampering with your air conditioning unit.
