Protect your property: The demand for copper fuels AC unit thefts
Take steps now to secure your AC equipment and avoid a mid-summer meltdown.
By Fritz Hahn
World demand for copper is making it a profitable businesses – so profitable that thieves see an opportunity to cash in. Air conditioners’ copper components make them prime targets.
During previous price spikes, copper bandits have undertaken outrageous and risky thefts – often in broad daylight – of church and commercial air conditioning units. Often they succeed. Units weighing thousands of pounds have been pulled off second-story rooftops. And of course many others are much easier to steal.
Depending on a church’s size and HVAC needs, the replacement cost could be more than $100,000. And that doesn’t count the cost of letting the temperature in your building soar during the heat of summer.
Air conditioning units are the most frequent target, but they’re not the only copper items being stolen. Others include wiring, pipe, gutters and appliances.
This crime is not confined to any particular geographic area: Urban, rural and suburban buildings are all routinely hit.
What can you do?
First, understand that doing something is better than doing nothing. Most crime prevention tactics are deterrents. They aren’t absolutely foolproof. Instead, they slow criminals down by creating barriers. The more the better.
Below are some measures, courtesy of GuideOne Insurance, that will deter the theft and/or vandalism of your facility’s air conditioning units. In closing, a word of caution: Avoid direct confrontation with criminals or strangers on your property. It's not worth the risk of someone's life. When in doubt, call the police.
If we can be of further assistance, please let us know. We’re here to serve you.
Fritz Hahn is the founder of Ministry Pacific, a brokerage representing more than 1,000 churches in the Western United States.
