Air Conditioner Theft Does Happen—Prevent It!
Posted by AC World on June 4th, 2014
Summer weather is taking over the U.S., and air conditioner sales are skyrocketing across the country. While we all love a little warm weather, it can be hard to bear with no AC. Some desperate people may turn to theft to acquire an air conditioner, and indeed this is a common crime in summertime. How can you make sure your air conditioner stays safe? Horizon Services created a WikiHow page with some useful tips—following them will keep your AC World conditioner secure.
Perhaps the most basic and effective way to keep your AC safe is to put a cage around the unit. A cage is a major physical obstacle to a theft, but it has further value. Thieves are always on the lookout for signs that their targets are or are not keeping a close eye on their belongings. A cage will send a signal to any would-be thief that the air conditioner is locked up tightly.
An air conditioner alarm is also a highly effective theft deterrent. Though this costs more than a cage, it is a bit more subtle, which has its advantages—cages can be a bit aesthetically tacky, and an alarm may allow a home or business owner to catch a perpetrator red-handed. It is also possible to combine a cage and an alarm, if you dearly want to keep your AC safe! Even a fake alarm or alarm sticker is a popular option—the deterrent value is often enough for the nervous thief to go elsewhere.
Surveillance cameras are another sound option. The mere sight of a prominently visible camera is enough to deter many would-be criminals. Fake cameras are possible; just as is the case with alarm stickers and cages, their presence is a signal of vigilance.
Placing your AC out of plain sight is an obvious preventative tactic, and it works. If an air conditioner is well hidden, it will not be noticed by strangers. Since many thieves specifically seek air conditioners in hot weather, for their own use or to re-sell, the lack of a visible AC will go a long way toward keeping the bad guys away.
Lastly, the homeowner may purchase a GPS tracking device for an AC. This sophisticated option can track unusual motion by or around an air conditioning unit, and alert its owners if anything is amiss. For those looking for a high-tech solution to security problems, this may be the way to go.
As summer arises, remember to keep cool with an AC World air conditioner, and make sure to keep your unit safe and sound!