Any suggestions on how best to secure air condenser units?

Question

My condensers are being stolen from my rentals at an alarming rate. I've started to lose count. Just had another one stolen, and this time the thieves ripped the steel cage right out of the ground! Any suggestions on how this might be prevented or deterred?

Drew Sygit · Answer

Account Closed couple of random ideas:

1) put the posts in deeper

2) install motion-sensing floodlights

3) Install VERY loud siren also triggered by motion-sensors. Send letters to neighbors warning them you've done this and asking for their assistance to monitor and call you if triggered - but warn them it will take a couple of hours to get someone there to turn siren off. This will motivate neighbors to actually assist you as who wants to listen to siren blaring for hours.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

How is a used condenser even worth that much trouble? It seems car tires would be an easier option.

Have you considered investing in a different market?

Alex Evans · Answer

Hello Account Closed

A lot of people in the Memphis area will schedule with the tenant to install the AC units at the time of move in.

I have also seen people remove and store them in a storage unit while the turnover is happening.

Account Closed · Answer

@Alex Evans, yep we typically do this during tenant turns. This one fell through the cracks apparently.

Account Closed · Answer

Thanks everyone! All great suggestions.

@Drew Sygit, I've considered asking my property managers to put the posts in deeper. They mentioned adding rebar to the concrete as an additional counter-measure. I do like the idea of flood-lights - but sirens could get pricey (and could trigger more work orders - in the event we'd have to call someone out to turn them off). Maybe a temporary alarm that would go off after 5 minutes could work. Not sure how that would be implemented or installed. I still wonder if there is something super creative that we could come up with that would do the trick.

Pat L. · Answer

We had an old 1800's stage theatre restored on a busy Main St in a local town nearby. They installed several new a/c condensers & all of them were swiped in one night. Now they are all on the 3rd story roof, problem solved. Good Luck..

James Martin · Answer

Just as Erin said we schedule with the tenant during move in before we install the unit. We actually remove the a-coil and water tank as well in certain areas of Memphis.

Erin Dreher · Answer

Wow!! Here in Little Rock if the house is in a bad area...we will wait until a tenant moves in to replace it. As far as preventing it, its so hard to do. If these guys are serious about it they will find a way around whatever you do. A lot of people in downtown here have started placing the units on the roof. We recently have gone through a string of burglaries... 4 brand new fridges stolen from houses that we just placed on the market.

It is truly disappointing that some people put so much time and energy into being a professional criminal instead of doing some legitimate.

Any suggestions on how best to secure air condenser units?

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