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Increasingly, thieves are targeting the outside condenser/compressor units of air conditioners and heat pumps in residential areas. They aren’t looking to use the A/C, but rather to strip the copper coils and other valuable metal parts from the appliance and sell them for scrap. Some thieves will strip the outside unit right on site, while others will pull up a truck, cut all the lines and wiring and haul the whole thing away. Fortunately, protecting your A/C unit from theft isn’t difficult if you take the right steps.

Steps for Protecting Your A/C Unit From Theft

• Anchor the outside unit to a reinforced concrete base set into a 10-inch pit the same diameter as the base. Install the A/C into the concrete pad using half-inch raw bolts.
• Buy a custom-made cage to cover the outside A/C unit, or have one custom built. It should be sturdy and durable with a locking gate so you can access the A/C for maintenance and repairs.
• Install an alarm. Special A/C alarms are available that will trigger an alarm if the unit is messed with. Some of these systems are designed to sound the alarm if the refrigerant line has been cut or otherwise starts leaking. You may be able to connect the A/C alarm to your home security system.
• Install motion-detecting lights near your A/C. These will flash on when they sense someone in the area. Most thieves will be scared away if they find themselves under the bright lights.
• Install the A/C inside a fenced yard. Also, if your A/C’s outside unit isn’t visible from the street, it’s less likely someone will target it for theft. On the other hand, if you live on a well-traveled street or road, some experts argue that installing the outside unit in a visible spot will discourage thieves who would worry about being spotted.

For more helpful advice on protecting your A/C unit from theft, please contact us at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide superior service to the Metro Twin Cities area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about protecting your A/C unit from theft and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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As the weather starts heating up this summer, homeowners in hot and humid areas such as Maple Grove, MN should think about having their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems inspected for any needed repairs. Here are some pointers on how to ensure that your HVAC system lasts long and operates at peak efficiency this season. With the proper adjustments, your system can cool the house much faster, which should cut down on your monthly energy bill.

If you’ve decided to upgrade to a programmable thermostat, good for you. But don’t think you’ve won the battle against energy waste. Now you have to figure out how to program and use the device. Let’s take a look at the basics.

Why Not Stick With Your Manual Thermostat?

There’s nothing wrong with a manual thermostat, except that it’s highly prone to user neglect. If you forget to set back the temperature before you leave for work in the morning, you’ll waste energy heating or cooling an empty house. The same applies when you’re sleeping at night. And unless you have a gremlin at home who can readjust the temperature to your comfort level shortly before you arrive home from work, you’ll have to freeze or bake for 30 minutes to an hour before your home gets comfortable.

With a programmable thermostat, you don’t have to worry about remembering to adjust and readjust the thermostat. You can program energy-saving setbacks into the thermostat to fit your schedule seven days a week.

Tips for Using Your Programmable Thermostat

• Program energy-saving setbacks for at least several hours, preferably eight or more. Otherwise, you won’t get consistent and substantial energy savings.
• Don’t resort to the “hold” or override feature unless absolutely necessary. This stops the programmed setting until you remove the hold, or in the case of the override setting, until the next preset period begins. Either way, nullifying the programmed setting defeats the purpose of the thermostat.
• If you’re leaving your house for more than a day or two when it’s especially hot or cold, program the thermostat for an energy-saving setting throughout the period. This typically is 8-10 degrees warmer or cooler than your comfort zone, depending on the season. While you don’t want the house to get excessively hot or cold while you’re gone, there’s no need to fully heat or cool an empty house.
• For obvious reasons, always make sure the batteries are fresh in battery-operated thermostats.

For more tips on using a programmable thermostat in your Twin Cities home, please contact us at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about programmable thermostats and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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If the broiling Twin Cities area summers have you looking for an A/C replacement, take a little time to plan first. Getting clear on how much a new system will cost to buy versus how much it will cost to run makes it easier to find the right model for you.

Even if indoor air quality isn’t on your mind, you probably notice its effects, like dusty rooms that make you sneeze and allergies that cause your eyes to itch and your nose to run. The quality of your indoor air can have a big effect on your health and happiness, even more so because Americans spend so much of their time indoors.

When homeowners have faulty air conditioning systems, the comfort of their home and the quality of their indoor air can suffer. For homeowners to avoid extensive or long term damage to their air conditioning units, they will need reliable HVAC experts like Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning to help maintain their Plymouth, MN heating and air conditioning units at home.

In the Twin Cities area, where the cold winters make gas furnaces and fireplaces popular, testing carbon monoxide detectors is an essential part of home maintenance. Keeping them in shape just might save your life some day.

Like any urban space, the Twin Cities metro area is prone to its share of pollutants, including dust. By taking steps to reduce household dust, you can rest easier knowing fewer irritants are getting into your lungs.

Staying comfortable in the Twin Cities metro area’s continental climate takes a well-engineered heating and cooling system. Today’s ductless mini splits can easily handle the job, but only if cared for properly.

After a bitterly cold Twin Cities area winter, it’s tempting to focus your spring plans on your garden, but don’t overlook the inside of your home. Investing in a few home energy upgrades now will help you save over the coming summer and next winter, too.