Trends around the United States suggest that air conditioning and refrigeration units are in more danger than ever from thieves. Once targeted for the valuable metal such as copper, A/C units are increasingly being hit by drug users in search of refrigerant. Thieves inhale the refrigerant for a quick and intense high. This practice, known as refrigerant huffing, is both dangerous to the health of the user and expensive to the owner of the HVAC system.Refrigerant huffing is becoming more and more common among teenagers. Thieves extract refrigerant from air conditioning and refrigeration systems by opening the service valve where other refrigerant would normally be added during maintenance. They capture the refrigerant in a plastic bag or other container, then quickly inhale it before it can be lost. The high is very strong but does not last long, which means repeated thefts are likely.Some refrigerants are extremely dangerous substances controlled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The effects of refrigerant huffing include the high the user is seeking, but also other harmful effects such as skin burns, headaches, dizziness and nausea. In the long term, exposure to refrigerant can cause lung damage, vision loss, coronary problems and cancer. In severe cases, refrigerant huffing can kill instantly.Air conditioner owners who are victims of refrigerant theft will experience possible damage to their HVAC equipment, especially the service valve. Lowered levels of refrigerant in the air conditioner will cause reduced cooling and will make the unit work harder, placing additional wear and tear on the system.Refrigerant thefts can be reduced by installing a specially designed locking cap on the service valve. These caps, constructed of very tough metal, prevent attempts to open the valve. If someone tries to remove the cap, it simply spins in place. A specialized key is required to remove the cap.Air Assurance has served the HVAC needs of customers in the Tulsa and the Broken Arrow areas for more than 30 years. Contact us for more information on air conditioner safety and for help preventing refrigerant thefts from your cooling or refrigeration systems.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock