how to protect heat pump? (by carla [SC]) Jan 25, 2011 3:50 PM
how to protect heat pump? (by Bill [TX]) Jan 25, 2011 3:57 PM
how to protect heat pump? (by Robert,Ontario,Canada [ON]) Jan 25, 2011 5:24 PM
how to protect heat pump? (by Reid [KS]) Jan 25, 2011 5:28 PM
how to protect heat pump? (by Virden [OH]) Jan 25, 2011 5:51 PM
how to protect heat pump? (by tyler [NC]) Jan 25, 2011 5:58 PM
how to protect heat pump? (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Jan 25, 2011 6:25 PM
how to protect heat pump? (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Jan 25, 2011 6:25 PM
how to protect heat pump? (by gevans [SC]) Jan 26, 2011 4:53 AM
how to protect heat pump? (by del [MD]) Jan 26, 2011 1:05 PM
how to protect heat pump? (by BOBC [MD]) Jan 27, 2011 6:28 AM
how to protect heat pump? (by gevans [SC]) Jan 27, 2011 7:31 AM
how to protect heat pump? (by carla [SC]) Jan 27, 2011 9:32 AM
how to protect heat pump? (by carla [SC]) Posted on: Jan 25, 2011 3:50 PM Message:
How do I protect my heat pump? are the cages worthwhile?
Any ideas how to protect a vacant house? only vacant a couple of weeks. I have thought about putting in baseboard heat, but electric bills run high on my other houses with baseboard heat. --67.49.x.xxx |
how to protect heat pump? (by Bill [TX]) Posted on: Jan 25, 2011 3:57 PM Message:
Cages are worthwhile unless all the units in the area have cages. Cages do not keep your equipment from being stolen; it just makes it harder for the thieves. Thieves are usually lazy, and will tend to go after the easy pickings.
Bill [TX]
--71.158.xxx.xxx |
how to protect heat pump? (by Robert,Ontario,Canada [ON]) Posted on: Jan 25, 2011 5:24 PM Message:
Air sourced heat pumps will not work here as it too cold during the winter. A ground sourced heat pump has nothing on the outside therefore one has to break into the house. --216.110.xxx.xx |
how to protect heat pump? (by Reid [KS]) Posted on: Jan 25, 2011 5:28 PM Message:
Get a Infrared scout camera available at Walmart for less than $100 . They may steal your stuff but you'll have pictures of who did it --99.151.xx.xx |
how to protect heat pump? (by Virden [OH]) Posted on: Jan 25, 2011 5:51 PM Message:
I am not sure if you are asking about icicle droppings that sometimes bend the fins or the theft of the unit - as mentioned the theft is hard to stop but easy to slow them down with any ironwork looped over the top and 2 sides, now that these are getting all wrapped up it makes it hard as heck to open and service like we used to do, rooftop mounting is an easier way to keep theft limited and the mower clippings do not get drawn in this way. --99.147.xx.xxx |
how to protect heat pump? (by tyler [NC]) Posted on: Jan 25, 2011 5:58 PM Message:
yes -cages are worthwhile...
some build homemade cages and they can be effective too...
bill(tx) has the right thinking... --98.24.xxx.xx |
how to protect heat pump? (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Posted on: Jan 25, 2011 6:25 PM Message:
After losing several outside condenser units, we are installing fencing around them. I know it's not super tough, but it's quick, somewhat inexpensive, and mostly gets them out of site. Counting on the "out of site out of mind" concept combined with "the neighbors' equipment is easier to steal than mine". We use the plastic 6' high fencing and square head screws. Looks neat, clean, and normal.
I know it's not as good as a steel cage, but it's up. --67.175.xx.xxx |
how to protect heat pump? (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Posted on: Jan 25, 2011 6:25 PM Message:
BTW - the new units are soooo light one guy can pick up the whole thing, throw it in a truck, and disappear. --67.175.xx.xxx |
how to protect heat pump? (by gevans [SC]) Posted on: Jan 26, 2011 4:53 AM Message:
If you build fences around your condensers, make sure you maintain AT LEAST the minimum distances in the installation manual. Typically 2-3 feet all the way around.
When you restrict the airflow, you are making the unit work harder and therefore shortening its lifespan. Cut off enough airflow and you will almost certainly kill the compressor.
You will be hoist'd by your own petard. --141.129.x.xx |
how to protect heat pump? (by del [MD]) Posted on: Jan 26, 2011 1:05 PM Message:
I had a new central A/C installed in an area known for A/C theft. Here is what I did to protect the outside unit
Bought 4 sixty inch long T fence posts - get the solid steel ones
Bought 2 pieces of perforated angle iron - get the thicker stuff if possible
Had Miss Utilty mark all underground lines. No use driving a fence post into a buried line!
Set the 4 fence posts around the condensing unit. Viewed from above they would be at Noon, 3, 6, and 9 oclock
Drilled holes in the fence posts and secured the perforated angle iron to the posts with 5/16 inch bolts. The angle irons form a cross RIGHT above the condenser.
peened the bolt ends over with a heavy hammer
30 bucks and my unit is protected from grab and run crackhead copper thieves. A rechargeable sawzall would cut the posts but most only carry bolt cutters.
The unit is still there after 3 years so I guess I am slightly smarter than a crackhead
--72.85.xx.xxx |
how to protect heat pump? (by BOBC [MD]) Posted on: Jan 27, 2011 6:28 AM Message:
I used to put cages aground my units but it got expensive. I now pour a 4"-6" thick concrete pad for the unit to sit on. After the installer is finished, usually the same day i secure the unit to the concrete pad. Its easy to remove the top of the unit and using a hammer drill i drill 4 holes thru the bottom plate into the concrete pad. Using lag shields and 4" lags with large washers i screw the unit to the pad. You cannot remove the unit without it coming apart and all the interior parts are secured to the base. Most crackheads or thieves will move on to easier pickins when thy cannot move it. Total time about 30 minutes and costs about $5 in materials. --72.81.xxx.xxx |
how to protect heat pump? (by gevans [SC]) Posted on: Jan 27, 2011 7:31 AM Message:
BOBC:
I did the same to a few units. The problem is, most crackheads don't want the whole unit, only the valuable coils. The coils can easily be removed, leaving the rest of the now junk unit bolted to the slab.
You want to use some VISIBLE protection, something that will deter a crackhead from even taking a closer look.
Cages and fences will do that. For closer in, motion lights, concealed cameras, and loss of power/loss of pressure alarm will sometimes stop them before they finish the task. --141.129.x.xx |
how to protect heat pump? (by carla [SC]) Posted on: Jan 27, 2011 9:32 AM Message:
Thanks for all the responses, there was a fence around it. But Del I like your idea of the fence post cross plan.
Hopefully this will "outfox" the crackheads! --67.49.x.xxx |
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