Salt Air and Your Outdoor AC Unit
Homes near the water around Pensacola live with salt in the air. It's hard on outdoor AC units, but a few habits slow the damage.
Request an AC technicianWhat salt does
Salt settles on the outdoor coil and hardware, holds moisture and speeds up corrosion of aluminium fins and steel parts.
Rinse it
With the power off at the disconnect, gently rinse the outdoor coil with fresh water from a garden hose every month or two. Don't use a pressure washer, which bends fins.
Placement
Where possible, place the unit on the side of the house sheltered from the prevailing wind off the water.
Coated coils
When replacing, ask about factory coil coatings and corrosion-resistant cabinets and fasteners.
Inspect for rust
Check the cabinet base, fasteners and electrical box for rust each spring.
Elevated units
Units raised for flood protection need sturdy, corrosion-resistant stands and safe access for service.
Expect a shorter life
Even with care, coastal units often wear out sooner than inland ones, so plan replacement earlier.
More help
See AC maintenance.
Keep it off the ground
Units sitting low in sand or soil pick up more moisture and salt. A sturdy, level pad keeps the base dry and the coil out of splash.
Watch the indoor side too
Salty, humid air also reaches the air handler in garages and closets. Rust on the cabinet or drain pan is worth mentioning at the next tune-up.
Rinse after storms
Storms blow extra salt and sand inland. A gentle freshwater rinse of the coil a day or two after a big blow, with the power off, washes it away before it does harm.
Mind the fins
Bent fins block airflow. A technician can straighten them with a fin comb during a tune-up.
More air conditioning guides
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