How To Burglar-Proof Your Window Air Conditioner Unit
Window air conditioning units are a modern convenience many of us can’t live without. If you don’t have central air conditioning, window units can effectively cool down the rooms in your home at a modest cost. However, window air conditioning units can also make your property a target for burglars who intend to use the window to gain easy access inside your home. The following are a few ways you can “burglar-proof” your home if you have a window AC unit.
Consider Placement of the Air Conditioner
If you have the option, you may want to avoid putting window units on the first floor of your home or apartment. However, if you need the unit in a first-floor room, consider using it seasonally and removing it during the colder months of the year. Only using air conditioning units on the second or third floor makes your home a more difficult target to break into. Remember, heat rises so it’s also important to keep that in mind when you are considering your AC placement.
Securely Mount the Window Unit
Many homeowners make the mistake of not using screws to mount the air conditioning unit. Instead, they rely on the windowsill and gravity to keep the unit in place. Instead, mount the window unit to the window sash (the moveable or fixed frame of the window that supports the glass.) It is important to get a proper window air conditioner bracket. This makes the unit more difficult to remove from the outside to deter burglars from being able to just easily remove the unit from the window.
Extend the Accordion Panels
Many air conditioning units include accordion panels on each side of the main unit. When installing, extend these panels as wide as possible to help eliminate any spots a burglar can use to leverage the unit out of the window. Doing this can also help ensure that your home stays cool and can potentially help limit your energy usage.
Install Flaps
To get a window air conditioner to fit properly, you typically need to install a unit that’s smaller than your actual window size. This makes the space surrounding the unit vulnerable to break-ins. Metal and plastic flaps can be installed over these spaces to better secure the window and ensure it has the best and most secure fit possible.
Brackets and Braces
You can help burglar-proof your AC unit by adding brackets and braces to provide extra support that you can use when installing a window air conditioning unit. These tools serve two purposes. For one, they keep the window air conditioner securely in place. Secondly, the brackets and braces prevent the window air conditioner from being pushed out of the frame.
Add a Window Lock
A common misconception is that you’re unable to lock any window holding an air conditioning unit. You can add two sliding window locks directly onto the window frame. These locks will stop burglars from sliding up the window further to dislodge the air conditioner.
Air Conditioner Without Window
If you’re looking to install a window AC unit without a window you might want to look into portable AC units. If you do opt for a portable AC, it is important to keep in mind that you have to empty the water out of the water tray every so often. This is more of a chore than a security threat but is essential to preventing any mold or bacteria. A better option for your home could be to install a normal air conditioner that you don’t have to mount on a window. Instead, you can just add a drain hose fitted to the sink or other drain in the house. You can also add a drain or other ventilation system to your home yourself. Both options can help cool your home with less risk than air conditioning that relies on a window.
If you don’t have either of these options available, placing a large bowl of ice in front of a fan is a cheap and practical way that can also help cool a room down. There is limited risk and can be a helpful solution if you’re AC stops working or you are in a location that has no AC.
Install a Professionally Monitored Home Security System
Adding a home security system can help keep your property safe from burglars, whether you have window-mounted A/C units or not. Professionally monitored systems are preferred since authorities are alerted in the case of a break-in. Window sensors can be installed to set off the security system if a burglar tries to tamper with the air conditioner and break into the home. Indoor cameras let you catch the unwanted visitor in the act and dissect how they accessed the AC unit in the first place.
Interested in keeping your home safe against burglaries? Allow the professionals at Brinks Home™ to help you choose products and services that work best for your family’s needs.
