Comments on: Air Conditioner Vandalism Motivated by High Copper Prices http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/materials/air-conditioner-vandalism-motivated-by-high-copper-prices/ Home improvement and related topics from four evening and weekend warriors striving for the perfect homes... Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:09:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Joanne http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/materials/air-conditioner-vandalism-motivated-by-high-copper-prices/#comment-540 Joanne Wed, 16 Apr 2008 05:51:59 +0000 http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/materials/air-conditioner-vandalism-motivated-by-high-copper-prices/#comment-540 That's the first I've heard air conditioners were a target. In Chicago, it's becoming more and more common for abandoned/foreclosed buildings and new construction to be stripped of supplies. People have even been losing aluminum siding off their houses. While I generally applaud the local tinkers, men in pickup trucks who prowl the alleys looking for scrap metal that's being thrown away, I've heard some shady stories and I've become worried lately as I saw one parked next to my open garage. The guys very obviously checking out the contents. By the time I made it outside, they were gone. Must have seen me coming! That’s the first I’ve heard air conditioners were a target. In Chicago, it’s becoming more and more common for abandoned/foreclosed buildings and new construction to be stripped of supplies. People have even been losing aluminum siding off their houses.

While I generally applaud the local tinkers, men in pickup trucks who prowl the alleys looking for scrap metal that’s being thrown away, I’ve heard some shady stories and I’ve become worried lately as I saw one parked next to my open garage. The guys very obviously checking out the contents. By the time I made it outside, they were gone. Must have seen me coming!

]]> By: Fred http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/materials/air-conditioner-vandalism-motivated-by-high-copper-prices/#comment-538 Fred Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:07:48 +0000 http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/materials/air-conditioner-vandalism-motivated-by-high-copper-prices/#comment-538 @Robin-I would think the 23rd floor would be a major deterrent... it's amazing the length to which criminals will go. You'd think they could put that ingenuity to legal use and make just as much $ @Why S- This just happened in the front of our friends' house... cost $1600.00 to have a new one put on. My friend was told they go for between $100-$200 black market-which is sad considering the replacement cost-not to mention the hassle. He ended up putting in a new car alarm that has a catalytic coverter sensor as part of the alarm aparatus to deter thieves. I'd never heard of that before. @Robin-I would think the 23rd floor would be a major deterrent… it’s amazing the length to which criminals will go. You’d think they could put that ingenuity to legal use and make just as much $

@Why S- This just happened in the front of our friends’ house… cost $1600.00 to have a new one put on. My friend was told they go for between $100-$200 black market-which is sad considering the replacement cost-not to mention the hassle. He ended up putting in a new car alarm that has a catalytic coverter sensor as part of the alarm aparatus to deter thieves. I’d never heard of that before.

]]> By: Why S? http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/materials/air-conditioner-vandalism-motivated-by-high-copper-prices/#comment-537 Why S? Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:13:45 +0000 http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/materials/air-conditioner-vandalism-motivated-by-high-copper-prices/#comment-537 We have not personally experienced copper theft but my husband's truck was targeted for catalytic converter theft. http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_8913.aspx Fortunately, there was a bolt or something that stuck and the thieves were thwarted but the part did come loose and we needed to pay for repair. Anyone with a pick up truck should be more aware because they sit up higher and are easier to get to than with cars. More stuff to worry about. We have not personally experienced copper theft but my husband’s truck was targeted for catalytic converter theft. http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_8913.aspx

Fortunately, there was a bolt or something that stuck and the thieves were thwarted but the part did come loose and we needed to pay for repair.

Anyone with a pick up truck should be more aware because they sit up higher and are easier to get to than with cars.

More stuff to worry about.

]]> By: Robin http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/materials/air-conditioner-vandalism-motivated-by-high-copper-prices/#comment-535 Robin Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:00:46 +0000 http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/materials/air-conditioner-vandalism-motivated-by-high-copper-prices/#comment-535 I used to work for a mechanical contractor and we had to replace condensing units all the time for small commercial buildings. Unfortunately, it is all too common. We had to replace a lot of copper pipe too. I now work for a mechanical consultant where I design HVAC systems for large hospitals and have even seen it affect this industry. Mechanical rooms and rooftops are becoming more and more difficult to access to prevent theft and someone contaminating the air. I'm not sure how they expect someone to steal copper tubing from a 23rd story penthouse though. :) Love your blog by the way! We're moving into a "fixer upper" house at the end of the month so I'm sure I'll be here a lot. I used to work for a mechanical contractor and we had to replace condensing units all the time for small commercial buildings. Unfortunately, it is all too common. We had to replace a lot of copper pipe too.

I now work for a mechanical consultant where I design HVAC systems for large hospitals and have even seen it affect this industry. Mechanical rooms and rooftops are becoming more and more difficult to access to prevent theft and someone contaminating the air. I’m not sure how they expect someone to steal copper tubing from a 23rd story penthouse though. :)

Love your blog by the way! We’re moving into a “fixer upper” house at the end of the month so I’m sure I’ll be here a lot.

]]> By: Ethan http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/materials/air-conditioner-vandalism-motivated-by-high-copper-prices/#comment-533 Ethan Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:41:56 +0000 http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/materials/air-conditioner-vandalism-motivated-by-high-copper-prices/#comment-533 A contractor told me the copper was stolen out of a house four times before the remodel was finished. Kinda crazy A contractor told me the copper was stolen out of a house four times before the remodel was finished. Kinda crazy

]]> By: jennifer http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/materials/air-conditioner-vandalism-motivated-by-high-copper-prices/#comment-531 jennifer Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:37:57 +0000 http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/materials/air-conditioner-vandalism-motivated-by-high-copper-prices/#comment-531 How frustrating! Never been a victim of copper theft, but my father-in-law has had lots of steel stolen from his stone shop... luckily it was mostly stuff he was getting rid of and saving to take to the scrap yard. How frustrating! Never been a victim of copper theft, but my father-in-law has had lots of steel stolen from his stone shop… luckily it was mostly stuff he was getting rid of and saving to take to the scrap yard.

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