Do you live in a coastal area such as Wilmington, Swansboro or Topsail? Is the ocean air taking a toll on your HVAC system? The experts at Carolina Comfort Air are here to help.
Those of us who live near the ocean can enjoy the beach all year long, but the coastal air can cause damage to your HVAC unit. Continue reading to learn how you can best protect your HVAC unit from the impact of coastal air.
The Problem: Saltwater Corrosion
Coastal air carries saltwater, and salt is one of the leading causes of corrosion, especially on metal surfaces. Many HVAC units have a protective exterior layer that helps prevent oxidation, but coastal air can quickly wear that down.
Problems caused by corrosion can range from minor to extensive. If your HVAC unit endures prolonged corrosion without intervention, the unit may begin to function inefficiently or break down completely.
Informing yourself of corrosion now can help save your HVAC unit from repair or replacement in the long run. Saltwater corrosion can be a major problem when you live near the beach, but there are several ways to protect your HVAC unit from damage and help prolong the life of your unit.
4 Steps to Protect your HVAC Unit from Coastal Air Corrosion
Step 1: Assess the Location of your Unit
It’s important that your HVAC unit is located in a spot that avoids direct coastal winds. If you are buying a new unit, consider locating it so that your home can be used as a barrier to help protect it from excessive exposure of the corrosive coastal air. If your unit is already in a permanent spot, you may want to consider planting shrubs or adding a barrier around the unit to help block the winds. HVAC professionals can help find the best location for your new unit, or help you optimize the current location of your unit.
Step 2: Perform Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance can prolong the life of your HVAC unit tremendously. The experts at Carolina Comfort Air offer maintenance packages so that you never have to worry about your HVAC unit. During maintenance sessions, your HVAC professional can check the unit to ensure it hasn’t endured any corrosion of damage from the coastal air. Your unit can also be assessed for any necessary repairs to ensure it runs smooth and efficiently all year long.
Step 3: Wash your HVAC Unit
Washing your HVAC unit is a simple yet effective way to combat corrosion. Saltwater will build up on your unit if you don’t wash it regularly. We recommend spraying your unit down with a garden hose monthly to prevent corrosion from any lingering saltwater. Keeping your HVAC unit clean and free from saltwater can help extend the life of your unit and make it more efficient.
Step 4: Apply Metal Protectant
During regular maintenance, it’s a good idea to ask your HVAC professional to apply or reapply a metal protectant. Metal protectants help prevent oxidation on the exterior of your HVAC unit. During regular maintenance appointments, the team at Carolina Comfort Air can combat any corrosion already occurring and prevent future corrosion by applying this protectant for you. Our HVAC professionals can also inspect the rest of your unit for corrosion that you may have overlooked.
Let the experts at Carolina Comfort Air protect your HVAC unit so you can enjoy the coastal air all year long. Call us today at (919) 367-3818 to learn more!