6 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR BUILDING'S HVAC UNIT FROM THEFT

Building owners and managers know that HVAC units provide an extremely tempting target full of valuable metal and components that can often be easily stolen. The following guide provides six practical and effective ways to protect your HVAC unit from theft.

 

Why Are HVAC Units Targeted?

 

• HVAC units contain valuable metal: Most HVAC units contain copper pipes and coils. This metal can be sold to salvage yards and recycling companies, often with no questions asked about where it came from.
• HVAC units are often in secluded areas: Many times, HVAC systems are installed in out-of-the-way locations where they're not easily seen. These can include roofs or hidden areas behind buildings. This may improve the aesthetics of the area, but it provides an environment where thieves can operate more easily.
• HVAC units are portable: Some smaller HVAC units can be stolen whole after refrigerant lines and power cables are cut.

How to Protect Your HVAC Unit from Theft

 

• Install an alarm system: Alarm systems are available that can monitor the specialized characteristics of an HVAC unit. Install an alarm system that sounds if the HVAC system is tampered with or damaged. You can also get an alarm that keeps track of refrigerant line pressure and sounds if the refrigerant lines are cut or damaged. Some of these HVAC system alarms can also create a loud siren-like sound if an attempt is made to move the unit.
• Put the HVAC unit in a cage: Construct a heavy metal cage around the outdoor HVAC component to keep unauthorized  individuals from getting near it. These cages are usually very strong and take a long time to break through. This keeps thieves from having the time to quickly access the unit and get away. A tall fence can also help prevent easy access to the equipment, but may be easier to get through, or over, by a determined thief.
• Increase outdoor security: Boost the amount of lighting in the area of the HVAC system and incorporate motion detectors that turn lights on when movement is detected. Motion detectors can also be integrated into alarm systems. Install video cameras that give you constant visual surveillance of HVAC units and the surrounding area. Even realistic fake cameras can improve security if thieves aren't able to tell they aren't real. Make sure lights, cameras and other security equipment are installed at a height that prevents intruders from damaging or destroying them. If you have security personnel, make sure they take extra care to check on HVAC equipment and maintain a frequent visible presence in the area.
• Reduce accessibility: You can help protect your HVAC unit from theft by reducing or eliminating accessibility. For example, make sure that no ladders are left on the side of buildings that can allow access to the roof. If possible, move the exterior parts of the HVAC system to a more visible location or a spot where it's more difficult for thieves to operate.
• Install a wireless GPS tracker: Put a wireless GPS tracker on your HVAC unit. If the unit is stolen, you can find out where it is, which will assist you and the police in finding the thief.
• Take steps to frustrate thieves: For example, paint copper lines a bright color. This makes the material traceable and reduces the chance it will be purchased by a salvage company. Or you can attach the HVAC unit to a strong concrete base that makes it difficult to remove.

HVAC Maintenance

The average household spends more than $2,200 a year on energy bills, and nearly half of that comes from heating and cooling costs. With the summer heat ready to peak, homeowners across the country are turning their air conditioning up to full blast. But you can save electricity and avoid hefty repair bills by giving your HVAC system an annual check-up.

The best time for HVAC maintenance is right before extreme temperatures hit, so try our energy-saving tune-up tips today.

DIY Maintenance:

• Clean/change the air filter. If you only make one tune-up this season, clean your air filter – doing so can lower your air conditioner's energy consumption by up to 15%. In the summertime, you should wash your reusable filter or replace your disposable one once per month.
• Clear the area around the outdoor unit. Keep vegetation at least two feet away from the unit so it is free to pull in air. This  includes raking up leaves in the fall.

Calling in a Professional

Some parts of a thorough annual check-up require disassembling an AC unit, so you'll have to call a service technician for a quick, professional check-up. The technician will:

• Clear the drain. A clogged drain can waste nearly as much energy as a dirty filter because your unit has to work harder to send out even less cool air.
• Clean the outdoor and indoor units. The technician will keep the outdoor condenser fan running efficiently by cleaning the fan blades, and will maintain the unit's ability to cool the air moving through it by removing dust and other buildup from the indoor evaporator coil.

Help Your HVAC Do Its Job

​To get the most bang from your HVAC buck, use these general energy-saving tips. They'll help you support your system and save energy around the house.

• Get a programmable thermostat. It's easier to save energy with a programmable thermostat than a regular one because you don't have to think about it each time you want to change the temperature. You pre-program your settings so that the thermostat raises the temperature while you're at work and asleep, and kicks on the air conditioning when you're at home and awake. With "smart"  programmable thermostats, you can even control the temperature from your smartphone.
• Seal your heating/cooling ducts and any open spaces. Make sure doors, windows, and nooks and crannies are shut and properly sealed. The less cool air that escapes your home, the less energy you'll waste, and more comfortable you'll be.
• Set your thermostat to your ideal temperature (not any colder). Setting the air conditioner to a colder-than-desired temperature doesn't cool down your house any quicker – it just keeps the unit working longer than necessary. So, set it to where you want it. And remember: You save up to 1% on your yearly cooling bill every time you raise the temperature by one degree for a period of eight hours. So, set it to around 78° - after all, it is summer!

Why and How to Keep Unit Cool

Don't Make it Work So Hard

Extend the life of your AC system by keeping blinds or shades down during the day; you can also install awnings to shield south-facing windows from intense sun. Consider running the AC in conjunction with floor or ceiling fans to circulate cooled air more effectively.

Keep your Condenser & Compressor free of obstructions.

A central AC system's air compressor and condenser are usually located outside the house, close to your foundation. It works best when there's about 24 inches of clear space in all directions, so get rid of nearby shrubs, tall grass, leaves, and hanging branches. Install condensers or window units on the north or east side of your house, or build a screen to shield them from the sun. Putting them in direct sunlight reduces their efficiency by as much as 10 percent.

Insulate, Insulate, Insulate...

Keeping your AC in shape will help you stay cool and save dough
Ducts in hot attics or crawl spaces should be wrapped to keep the air within them cool. You can use spray foam, batt insulation, or rigid-foam insulation. Seal batt and rigid insulation with foil tape (not duct tape). For tight spaces, wraps like Reflectix offer some degree of insulation.

Why and How to Use a Timer

There's no need to blast the AC while you're away. For central units, install a programmable thermostat that lets you set higher temps when you're gone and cooler temps when you're home. Newer window units have built-in timers and adjustable thermostats, or you can buy a timer at any home store for $10 to $20; just make sure it matches your device's voltage. Unless you're going on vacation, don't shut off the system; otherwise, the air compressor will need to work harder to cool your house later.

Why and How to Fix Duct Leaks

Ducts can lose up to 30 percent of airflow through leaks. Find leaks using the old "smoke trick": For window units, light a stick of incense and hold it where the unit and the window frame meet; for central AC, hold the stick near duct connections. If the smoke blows around, you've got leakage. For ductwork, use foil tape to seal small gaps and duct mastic for larger ones; for window AC units, stuff foam between the device and the window frame, taping as needed. 

EXPERTip:

Wash and dry several loads at once. This way your dryer doesn't completely cool down the next time it needs to heat up for your load.