If you’re from Milton, you know the city is all about that saltwater scenery.
This Sussex County sits on the Delmarva Peninsula, right along the Broadkill River that travels into Delaware Bay. However, the waters that contributed to the building and launching of hundreds of ships that sailed worldwide are also responsible for a muggy climate…
So, you should know how to protect your AC unit from salt water.
As a locally owned and operated company with over 10 years of experience, Top Flight Heating & Air has seen dozens of HVAC units suffer from that sticky salt air. We’ll explain what salt air does to your unit and what you can do to prevent this.
Why Is Salt Air and Your Unit Not a Good Combination?
Your cooling unit comprises many metal parts, from the evaporator and condenser coils to the fan blades. When salt passes by metal, it acts like an electrolyte and forces the metal to lose electrons and oxidize.
Because salt attracts surrounding moisture, the water furthers the rusting process, causing corrosion to happen ten times faster in coastal areas like these.
The Top Three Ways to Protect Your Unit
Now that you know this, you’re not moving just to protect your air conditioning unit.
Below are three things you can do instead to protect the unit for your space and prolong its lifespan – even in salty areas.
An AC Without a View
While you may like the ocean view, your AC unit doesn’t.
Winds blow over the ocean, sending a salty breeze to the side of the house facing the water. So, a professional tries to place it facing in other directions to reduce exposure.
(TIP: You may get away with having it face the ocean if natural barriers like hills and dunes bar wind flow.)
A Little Extra TLC
All HVAC units require semi-annual maintenance, from central air systems to portable air conditioners, but ones exposed to salt air need extra care.
Wipe down the salt film that regularly builds on metal components like the fan coils the way you would remove dust everywhere else. Also, rinse the filters that trap salt particles since they can enter your system as the air handlers suck in air from the vents.
A Coat for Your Cooling Unit
What if your small room air conditioners can only go in ONE spot in a given room, and that’s on an exterior wall facing the coast?
For instance, you may only have a window or the wall space on that wall for a window or mounted unit.
An industrial anti-rust coating over your unit’s condenser creates a barrier against the salt air and humidity, which are issues during Milton summers.
Let Your Cooling Desires Take Flight!
When you need cool air during 87-degree Milton, DE, summer highs, you need a team with over 200 five-star Google reviews and an A+ BBB rating for unbeatable services.
Top Flight Heating & Air can help you protect your AC unit from salt, humidity, and more. Call us today at (302) 329-8003 for 24/7 emergency assistance!
