The Effects of a Saltwater Climate on HVAC Systems

For those living in coastal regions, there are several factors to consider when it comes to how the unique climate near bodies of saltwater can affect your HVAC system. How the ocean water becomes salty is an interesting process.

Did you know that rain accumulates carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, causing it to become slightly acidic? As the water flows through rivers and tributaries, the acidity helps erode the rock-bed allowing the water to pick up small amounts of salt and other dissolved minerals. All this accumulated salt eventually winds up in the ocean; which causes oceanwater to be salty.

Why Does Saltwater Air Cause Damage to Mechanical Equipment?

We all know the benefits of living close to the saltwater. Beach life is attractive and alluring for both permanent residents and vacationers. The saltwater even provides some benefits to our skin and body. Although saltwater contains vitamins, amino acids, and minerals that have therapeutic effects on our skin and hair, the effects on our homes are not so positive. This includes the mechanical equipment in your HVAC system.

Salt particles from evaporated saltwater floating through the air create a film on mechanical equipment. Air infused with saltwater is especially damaging to electronic circuity; which is found inside air handlers and heating pumps. The salt from the air can corrode the electrical connections and result in faulty equipment if not given proper attention on a regular basis.

The connections between components within your system tend to be most at risk from the saltwater air. Contacts between the copper and aluminum components begin to erode when exposed to moisture containing salt particles. This begins to affect the efficiency of your system and you may notice that your home is less comfortable as the system deteriorates.

What You Can Do to Protect Your Investment

Having a qualified and experienced HVAC technician inspect your property can determine if any changes need to be made to your system. For example, a well-trained professional can determine if your system is pulling air from a properly ventilated area or if any metal components with accumulated salt need immediate cleaning.

The best protection against damage from harsh saltwater air is signing up for a maintenance contract with a professional HVAC service company like Ideal Conditions in Jacksonville. Call Ideal Conditions at 904-379-8762 or use our online contact form to request more info on how you can best guard your HVAC system.