Although HVACs are built to last a lifetime, many parts are vulnerable to damage under certain circumstances. All HVACs have two types of coils present in them. Both coils are essential to the air conditioning process as they circulate the refrigerant responsible for cooling the room down. The two coils are:
- Condenser coil
- Evaporator coil
Condenser coil
The condenser coil is located in the outdoor condenser of the HVAC. It is prone to damage easily as it is exposed to the wear and tear of the weather.
Evaporator coil
This coil is situated in the indoor unit, protected from the regular weather beating, and is expected to last a lifetime, but even this coil is prone to damage. This coil is responsible for absorbing the hot air in your house and cooling it down by circulating refrigerant to and fro the condenser unit.
What Causes Coil Corrosion?
Many factors can cause corrosion in the coils including:
- Chemicals
- Weather
- Building structure
Chemicals
In many of the units, when the HVAC is exposed to cleaning agents, paints, and carpentering fluids that contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) like fluorides, chlorides, or other acids, they cause a chemical reaction within the coil and cause corrosion. This type of corrosion can occur in both the coils.
Weather
The condenser coil present in the outdoor unit faces heat, rain, and cold temperatures. Over time with usage, harsh weather can cause corrosion in the coil. The HVAC’s location would also affect the corrosion along with climatic conditions. For example, an HVAC working in a place close to the sea will have high salinity in the air, which can also speed up the process of corrosion in the coils.
Building Structure
With the new age of construction making buildings tighter in terms of space and construction, it might seem like a great idea since it will take less energy to heat or cool down the building, but this also means that the air inside the building is trapped, and circulation does not happen as easily. This affects the evaporator coil and causes corrosion.
What Happens if Coils have Corroded?
The refrigerant that circulates between the coils usually stays in a gaseous state. It turns from gas to liquid and liquid to gas. Since the gas is under pressure in the HVAC, it escapes easily from the holes caused by corrosion. This puts your HVACs efficiency at fault.
How to Find Corrosion in Coils?
If you find either your air conditioner or heat pump not working properly, calling a technician to check the coils is ideal. If you live in a place with saline air, it’s better to get a regular maintenance deal so that they can arrange a frequency of service that works for both.
Climate Solutions LLC is one such company where you can put all your beliefs in, as we treat all our clients like family and offer services to cover all your problems. We are situated in Elk Grove and are well known for our air conditioner repair and plumbing. If you ever need our services, please contact us by calling or visiting our website.