Refrigerant theft has been a well-known problem for years. However, an even larger problem is that most refrigerant is not being taken for resale, but is being consumed as a drug. Unprotected refrigerants are easily accessible with a simple pair of pliers or fingers, and the thieves can sniff the refrigerant directly from the valve or store it in a plastic bag for later use. Unfortunately, the "high" or "rush" an individual gets from "huffing" is from the oxygen being displaced in their body. This has resulted in documented cases of brain injury and even death to individuals.

To combat this problem, Anaheim, California-based engineering company, Novent LLC has developed a new, simple, inexpensive, and tamper-resistant cap that can stop the theft of refrigerant. Novent tamper-resistant refrigerant caps were developed by industry professionals after witnessing countless cases of theft or tampering for the purposes of inhaling refrigerants. Novent caps require a special tool to apply and remove the product, making it virtually impossible for a thief to access the refrigerant.

Ron Mihld, HVAC/R supervisor for the San Bernardino City Unified School District, first started using the Novent caps over a year ago to help minimize the loss of refrigerant. "The Novent caps were a success," Mihld said. "We placed them on the equipment that we had problems with in the past. The problem has now migrated to surrounding A/C units. I am interested in acquiring additional caps."

Novent caps also protect refrigerant cylinders and recovery tanks. They are corrosion-resistant and anodized to match refrigerant color codes and stamped with chemical codes to prevent mixing of different refrigerants. The Novent cap offers quality construction and an O-ring seal which provides a positive back-up for leaking service valves. Caps are currently available for R-22 and R-410 refrigerant units (Part #s R-22CAP, R-22KEY & R-410CAP, R-410KEY) and hold Patent #6,612,455.

The Novent cap strongly supports any EPA Management Program and has been proven to minimize refrigerant theft, often resulting in bodily harm.

For more information about Novent Tamper-Resistant Refrigerant Caps, please call 877-439-8727.