Salt Air and Your Outdoor AC Unit
Living near the water has many perks, but salt air is not kind to air conditioners. Here's how to help your outdoor unit last.
Request an AC technicianWhat salt does
Salt settles on the coil fins and cabinet, draws in moisture and speeds up corrosion. Fins crumble, coils leak and cabinets rust, sometimes years sooner than inland.
Who's most at risk
Homes on the keys, on the Gulf and on the bay. Even a few blocks inland can make a difference.
Rinse regularly
With the power off at the disconnect, gently rinse the outdoor coil with fresh water from a garden hose a few times a year. Don't use a pressure washer, which bends fins.
Placement
Where possible, place units on the side of the house sheltered from direct sea breeze, with good airflow around them.
Coatings and equipment
When replacing, ask about factory coil coatings, corrosion-resistant cabinets and coastal-rated equipment.
Warning signs
White or green crust on fins, crumbling fin edges, rust on the cabinet and refrigerant leaks.
Maintenance
Professional cleaning during a tune-up removes salt deposits more thoroughly.
Get help
See AC maintenance.
Fin straightening
Bent or flattened fins reduce airflow through the coil. A technician can comb them straight during service, which helps the system run efficiently and makes rinsing more effective.
Electrical parts
Salt doesn't just attack the coil. Contactors, capacitors and wiring connections inside the outdoor cabinet corrode too, causing failures that look like a dead system. Regular checks catch corroded parts before they leave you without cooling on a hot day.
Lifespan expectations
Outdoor units right on the water may not last as long as the same model inland. Factoring that in helps when you're deciding between repairing an older system and replacing it with coated, coastal-rated equipment.
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