How can an a/c compressor be protected from thieves? A friend just had a central unit stolen and wants to protect the new one so it does not happen again.
Thanks, Robert

Other than putting guard dogs in the yard, not much of anything. If someone wants to steal it they will find a way.

Funny thing, the job I am working on right now is replacing seven units that were cannibalized for the copper. I have an idea, run two wires from the line side of the contactor in the condensing unit to the coil of a relay with normally closed contacts so that if the power is cut off to the condensing unit this relay will close the contacts and make a circuit to set off an alarm or turn on a light, like turning on a light switch.
You could put this on a toggle switch so that you could turn it off when needed.
Good luck, Mike

Ac- it's bad in my area as well. New construction sites are terrible. One fellow also got killed trying to steal live copper wiring. Too bad but hard to feel sorry for him though

Take cover off the top of the unit anchor unit from the inside

Esquire1, I agree with you, they steal the copper and coils, sell it for a few bucks, and costs hundreds to replace, I guess they do it all over the country since the price of copper went up. I am wondering if the copper we installed Friday will be there tomorrow morning.
I asked if they had security cameras and was told they stole them two. So like you said if they want them , they will get them. Mike

Maybe a light and a motion sensor. Perhaps add one of those NRA members stickers to the housing.

Hey labman, I like the idea of the NRA stickers. Good idea! How about some NRA members to post duty as well.

Get a water source heatpump instead of a split system