AC Cages FAQ

If the answer to your question is not here, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Why should I purchase protection for my Air Conditioner?

Protecting your unit from copper theft is something most people never think about, much less budget for. However, being pro-active rather than re-active could save you thousands of dollars. 

Consider the following:

1. Educate yourself on the costly epidemic of copper theft.
2. Do not assume you are not a target because of where you live.
3. Consider the uncomfortable situation of being without air conditioning or heat.
4. Get an estimate of how much a replacement A/C unit would cost.
5. Calculate the cost of replacement vs the cost of protection.

IMPORTANT: Residential and commercial air conditioners are now being manufactured with a new ozone friendly refrigerant. If your unit is older than a couple years, the inside portion of your air conditioning system may not work with a new outside condenser. What does this mean? If your outside A/C unit gets stolen and a new unit is required, you may be forced to replace both the inside and the outside unit. 

How do I know what size I need?

Ordering is as easy as 1,2,3.

Please refer to our easy to use order forms.

1. Measure the width, depth, and height of your condensing unit.
2. Measure the condenser pad and determine what material it is made out of.
3. Determine what size is appropriate and contact us.

Is installation difficult?

No. The installation process is simple in most instances. However, since no two scenarios are the same, some installations may require some slight modifications.

I have heard of electronic theft deterrent devices for A/C units, why the Cage?

While there are electronic sirens that help deter A/C theft, our position is stopping the theft, not catching the crook. When a thief is scouting out a potential victim, our goal is to have you ruled out from the beginning rather than having your system damaged during an attempted burglary. The cage is a visible warning that says, “You’re going to work for this one!” An alarm whaling in a secluded area draws little attention and is only as effective as the nearest person willing to respond. In a dangerous world where snitches are often retaliated against, very few people will risk involvement to save an air conditioner. 

My condenser pad is plastic, now what?

We recommend either replacing your pad or ordering a cage the next size larger than your existing pad to allow enough room to mount into the ground. Plastic pads are popular and plenty durable for supporting the condenser, however, we feel that fastening your condenser cage to a plastic pad would compromise the security of your air conditioner.

What if I don’t have much of a condenser pad at all?

Like with plastic condenser pads, we recommend either replacing your pad or ordering a cage the next size larger than your existing pad to allow enough room to mount into the ground. We also fabricate brackets that fasten to the wall. You can see some examples of this in our product gallery.

The cage doesn’t fit properly because it is hitting the copper going into my A/C unit at the bottom.

Our cages in most instances give adequate clearance for copper lines. Occasionally, the copper going into the A/C unit is just plain in the way. In such a case, some adjustments may be necessary.

The electrical power going into my A/C unit is in the way.

This situation can be DANGEROUS if you attempt without a professional contractor. The electrical power will have to be turned off, disconnected, fed through the cage, then reconnected. This takes about 5 minutes to do, but because of safety concerns, Property Armor strongly recommends having a professional or someone familiar with electricity to assist with this step if necessary.

What do I fasten my Condenser Cage to the concrete with?

We sell an installation kit with the anchors you would typically need for installation. If you DIY, we recommend using concrete sleeve anchors. TIP- To keep an un-authorized person from un-bolting your Condenser Cage, we recommend using our security fasteners. Please refer to the installation tips and accessory portions of our website.

How do I install my cage in the ground?

Place the cage over unit and mark out where the holes in the ground will need to be. Remove cage. Dig four holes in the ground approximately 14-16” deep with post hole diggers. Fasten four ground anchors to bottom of cage (sold with installation kit). With assistance, lift the cage over the unit and lower into holes. Obtain some ready mix concrete from a hardware store, mix with water, and pour in holes to set cage. DO NOT allow concrete to cover the bolts or removal for service will be extremely difficult. Use a level during the process for an aesthetically pleasing result. 

Can you make the Condenser Cage in a specific color?

Yes. There are color options available for an additional charge, but black is the standard. Please contact us for details.

Will these cages show rust?

Eventually, yes. Steel begins to rust from the moment you expose it to the elements. Our products are powder coated to provide a durable finish. The rate at which a product weathers is largely due to the environment in which it is subjected to. Products installed in a low rust environment like Arizona would weather differently than a cage installed near the Beach. This is why we do not offer a warranty for the finish. We ultimately do not know where our products will end up.  Some customers have asked about using aluminum to fabricate the cages due to the non-rust factor. The problem with that is two fold. First, the cage would cost more money and not be as strong. Second, you would be providing a thief extra incentive. Now the air conditioner AND the cage have scrap value!

Are these Cages theft proof?

No. In fact, I would be willing to say nothing is absolutely theft proof. However, we know that having a bicycle chain, car alarm, and barking dogs all help deter theft. A thief looking for a quick snatch and grab of your air conditioner has far too many unprotected ones that they would likely skip the protected unit in favor of another one close by. Think of this, if there were two bicycles in front of a department store and one was chained up and the other was not, which do you suppose would be the first one to be stolen? The one without a chain of course. This is NOT because a chain can’t be cut, because it can. It is simply because it is the path of least resistance.

Do you offer a Discount for Volume?

Yes. Large orders are eligible for a discount. Please contact us for details.

What is your freight policy?

Freight costs depend on the style of cage, quantity, and your location. To get an accurate quote for shipping, we would need to know what you are getting and where it is going.

Do your products come with a warranty?

Yes. View our warranty here.