Do people steal copper from air conditioners?

Do people steal copper from air conditioners?

Unfortunately, thieves steal the copper from the units and sell them to scrap metal dealers for cash. The irony is that they get a couple hundred dollars for the metal, but cost home and business owners thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars in repairs and replacements.

Do people steal HVAC units?

In recent years, a certain type of crime has increased significantly in suburban America – people stealing the outside units of heat pump and air conditioning systems. These criminals typically abscond with HVAC compressor/condensers not because they want to use them for cooling or heating.

Is AC Freon illegal?

As of January 1, 2020, a once very popular air conditioning refrigerant can no longer be made in or imported into the United States. As part of the Clean Air Act passed in 1990, the production and import of ozone-depleting substances is heavily regulated. …

How do I keep my AC unit from being stolen?

Prevent AC Theft With These 10 Tips

1. Lock Down the Disconnect Box. The disconnect box houses the unit’s connection to electricity.
2. Keep the Unit Well Lit.
3. Install Security Cameras.
4. Apply Unit Fence or Cage.
5. Lock all Property Gates or Fences.
6. Remove or Secure Ladders to Deck or Roofs.
7. Add an Alarm.
8. Tamper-Resistant Screws.

Why would someone steal an AC unit?

Copper value has increased over the years. Thieves are starting to not only target the copper coils within air conditioning units, but also the whole unit itself. Generally, criminals who remove the copper from an a/c unit will take it to a scrapyard in exchange for a few hundred dollars.

Do people steal AC parts?

Air conditioner theft is not uncommon, even in the heat of summer. The copper and aluminum coils, fins, and other miscellaneous parts in your AC’s condenser unit are only a small portion of your system. Thieves looking to make a quick buck will often destroy the entire condenser to harvest the these valuable metals.

How long does it take to steal an AC unit?

“Most of the thieves will grab them and run,” CCI Securities owner LC Lomax told 41 Action News. “It only takes 20 seconds to steal a unit.” That has kept Lomax, who builds and installs cages for AC units, busy the day before the summer solstice.

Is R-22 Freon still available?

The U.S. government has placed restrictions on R22 and has issued the requirement that R22 refrigerant must be eliminated from use in cooling systems by the year 2020. R22 is being replaced by R-410A, a safer material which is the current, compliant standard refrigerant in air conditioning equipment.

How do you steal an air conditioner?

A Locked Disconnect Box In order to steal an air conditioning unit, a thief will have to disconnect the power before they haul it away. The power is usually located a few feet from the air conditioner inside a “disconnect box,” and depending on the style of the box, it can be locked using a padlock.

How much copper is in a AC unit?

#2 copper tubing – 3-5lbs. Steel – 8-12lbs. Sealed Unit – 15-20lbs. Electric Motor – 3-8lbs.