What To Look For In An AC Security Cage

Air conditioner theft and vandalism is a problem in certain areas. These are often crimes of convenience since your AC condenser is outside and easy to access. You can buy an AC security cage for your condenser and make it much more difficult for someone to bother your AC unit. If the vandals or thieves can't reach your AC because it's protected by a sturdy metal cage, they may move on to a different house. Here are some tips for buying an AC cage.

Choose A Cage Made For Air Conditioners

You could buy any type of metal cage and adapt it to fit around your air conditioner, but the best choice is to buy a cage made specifically for condensers. That's because they are designed to allow optimal airflow. You don't want to put your condenser in a cage that blocks the flow of air around the fins and coils or that could harm your AC.

AC security cages are made in different designs. They might have sides of metal mesh or a series of metal bars that keep people away from the condenser. No matter how they're made, they protect your condenser without blocking any airflow.

Look For Sturdy Construction

You'll want a metal cage so it's strong and unlikely to be forced apart. Powder-coated metal is a good choice so you don't have to worry about the cage rusting and becoming an eyesore. Whether the cage is mesh or tubes, the design should keep criminals from reaching the valuable parts of your air conditioner.

Thieves might take their time to pull out the most important parts of the AC, but when they work fast, they grab whatever they can get and sort it later at a different location. You'll want a cage that bolts to the side of your house or to the concrete slab the condenser rests on so the condenser and cage can't be lifted up and hauled away.

Look For A Cage That's Convenient To Use

AC security cages are usually easy to install and use throughout the life of your condenser. If you're installing the cage yourself, you want one that's easy to set up and bolt down. It's also important for the cage to open easily when you want to clean the condenser or when it's time for an AC tech to perform annual service. However, you don't want the cage to be easy for thieves and vandals to open.

An AC cage gives you peace of mind your AC won't be torn apart or stolen from your yard. Replacing your condenser could be a big expense and a lot more costly than investing in a good cage, so compare options in cages and consider if an AC cage is right for you.  

Share