Table of Contents
How do I keep my window air conditioner from being stolen?
The following are a few ways you can burglar proof your home if you have a window AC unit.
- Consider Placement of the Air Conditioner.
- Securely Mount the Window Unit.
- Extend the Accordion Panels.
- Install Flaps.
- Brackets and Braces.
- Add a Window Lock.
- Air Conditioner Without Window.
- Install a Monitored Home Security System.
How safe are window AC units?
Perhaps the biggest risk associated with window air conditioner units is fire. In fact, it has been proven that room AC units have a higher fire risk than central AC systems. In fact, a window unit is thought to be 1.8 times more likely to cause a fire than a traditional unit.
How do you secure a theft air conditioner?
Prevent AC Theft With These 10 Tips
- Lock Down the Disconnect Box. The disconnect box houses the unit’s connection to electricity.
- Keep the Unit Well Lit.
- Install Security Cameras.
- Apply Unit Fence or Cage.
- Lock all Property Gates or Fences.
- Remove or Secure Ladders to Deck or Roofs.
- Add an Alarm.
- Tamper-Resistant Screws.
Do window AC units need to be screwed?
A properly installed air conditioner should sit securely in the window without an additional support bracket. However, very heavy units (those more than 100 pounds) do require additional support and some locations, notably New York City, require the use of a bracket for all window air conditioners regardless of weight.
Can a window AC start a fire?
Why do people steal air conditioner?
These criminals typically abscond with HVAC compressor/condensers not because they want to use them for cooling or heating. Instead, they covet the valuable copper, platinum and other metals that these units are manufactured with, which can be sold for a modest profit.
How safe are window air conditioners?
What causes AC to catch fire?
An overheating motor can make your air conditioner catch fire. Some of the factors that could lead to motor overheating include: Accumulation of dirt. Dirt can collect inside and around your system’s motor.
How do I protect my air conditioner?
Shield your HVAC system from water and debris by covering it with a tarp that can withstand strong winds. Buy and use a specially designed cover or place a metal or plywood cage around the outdoor air conditioner unit to protect it from flying debris if strong winds occur.
Can window AC units start fires?
How common are AC fires?
How Common are Air Conditioner Fires? According to the National Fire Protection Association’s 2017 report on Home Structure Fires, air conditioners were involved in the ignition of 2,800 home fires per year, on average, from 2011-2015.
Can you cover an air conditioning unit?
Mold risk: Your air conditioner is made to be open to the air. Covering your air conditioner will block proper air flow which can lead to mold growth on your evaporator coils. The mold can block proper airflow through your coils and decrease your air conditioner’s efficiency.
Do AC units get stolen?
Air conditioner theft is not uncommon, even in the heat of summer. However, criminals who steal AC units aren’t taking them to keep cool and comfortable. They don’t even want the whole unit. They are more likely to vandalize your system, taking any valuable scrap metal to liquidate for quick cash.
Can an AC start a fire?
Fire officials say proper unit maintenance is the key to preventing fires. Experts say summer heat can put a strain on air conditioners, which can become fire hazards if they are not well-maintained.
Why you shouldn’t cover your air conditioner?
What can I use to cover my air conditioner?
Use a cover made of breathable material. Put plywood over the top of the unit only to shield from snow and ice, weighing it down with bricks or rocks to keep in place. Install a wood awning or shelter attached to the building that covers the top of the unit.
Can burglar proof your home with a window AC unit?
However, window air conditioning units can also make your property a target for burglars who intend to use the window to gain easy access inside your home. The following are a few ways you can burglar proof your home if you have a window AC unit.
How do you secure an air conditioner from burglars?
They prevent burglars from sliding the window up and down. Attach the lock into the frame just above the window. Tighten it securely. Measure the length from the side of the unit to the wall. Purchase and attach a steel corner brace to each side of the air conditioner. Connect the other end to a secure section of the wall.
How to protect windows from air conditioning unit damage?
Some of the extra security measures can still be used on the windows when the air conditioning unit is no longer in place. Install an air conditioner bracket to the outside of the unit. The bracket not only supports the air conditioner, but it attaches to the bottom of the unit and the house, making it harder to move the air conditioner.
How to secure a window AC from intruders?
It can be used to prevent the intruder from opening the window on which the unit is located, or any other window for that matter. 3. Air Conditioner Support Bracket A good support bracket can be used to secure a window AC and reduce the load on the window to prevent damages to your home and woodwork.