Value of used heat pump?

[vavet]

My 6 year old son goes to a YMCA after school program at a local church. They are typically in a modular building behind the church itself. They have access to the church itself if there’s a tornado warning or some other reason. A couple months ago, as the weather was warming up, they were on the church because it was too warm in their building. Someone had stolen the 2 outdoor heat pump units.
Why?
Is there value in used outdoor heat pump units?
Who would buy them?

 

[jbwilkins]

Copper.....

I've seen crack heads pulling wire from street lights that were energized.....When homes are under construction they'll steal the HVAC line sets too....

 

[brewchief]

There isn't even that much scrap value, a few years ago we when scrap was very high we averaged 50-60$ per unit, that's broken down into copper, copper aluminum coil, steel and electric motors (fan motor).

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[Jim greengo]

There isn't even that much scrap value, a few years ago we when scrap was very high we averaged 50-60$ per unit, that's broken down into copper, copper aluminum coil, steel and electric motors (fan motor).

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I'm guessing they were probably 3 ph anyway,pretty short list of people who could actually use it.

 

[bonneyman]

Thieves are getting more sophisticated all the time. Most steal units for the copper, but lately it seems they're closing off the unit charging valves when taking the cond unit and reclaiming the R-22 as well. Just a little bit of knowledge and a few hand tools and thieves can make a bundle. Even the tamper-resistant schrader caps are not foolproof!
I've seen condensor motors and mounting frames taken, as everyone on the block has the same floor plan and same unit. And someone fan motor went. So, off to the unoccupied house up for sale, remove 4 screws and snip the wires and they're gone. Once installed in their unit there's no way to tell it was stolen. Same with disconnect pullouts and fuses.