Residential Condenser Care
An air conditioning system is an investment that should bring your customers years of cool relaxing comfort through the dog days of summer. The repeated beatings by nature (sleet, wind and salty sea air) and the build up of debris (leaves, twigs, grass and sand) in and around the condenser decreases efficiency, causes damage and over the years will lead to components becoming rusted and corroded. By protecting the system, not only will the air conditioning system have a longer life but will work and keep its efficiency. Keeping the air conditioning unit clean and protected will save money in a number of ways:
- Keeping the condensing coil cleaner will allow it to run at peak efficiency, reducing the energy bill.
- Decrease maintenance and repair costs because as the system becomes dirty, the motors and components have to work harder and longer to achieve the thermostat setting.
Corrosion is the oxidation of aluminum and other materials due to pollution from industrial plants or salt air from the Gulf. Corrosion costs home owners thousands of dollars each year. For this reason, corrosion control methods are particularly important on the Gulf Coast.
Oxidation is seen in the form of corrosion on condenser coils but the effect is felt in the compressor motor. As the corrosion forms on thin aluminum coil fins, it insulates the metal and also blocks air flow across the fins. When fins cannot reject the heat carried by the system from inside the house to the outside, refrigerant pressure in the system increases and compressor motors have to work harder. As the compressor works harder, it generates more heat internally adding to the problem. Increased system pressure and heat, breaks down the compressor lubricating oil and it fails. Replacing the compressor without replacing the condenser coil or the whole condenser results in a disservice to the customer because a new compressor will fail within a year at best and for the very same reason.
Studies show a new unit can lose more than 20% efficiency in three months and more than 35% in a year, because of dirt and corrosion. Corrosion can reduce unit life expectancy by one half. I have seen some condensers fail within 2 or 3 years after installation because of their proximity to Gulf waters. The Texas Gulf Coast with southerly winds and industrial plants is one of the most severe corrosive environments in the United States.
Ants and lizards are common hazards to Gulf Coast equipment. They are attracted by the electricity and will crawl in between the electrical points of a contactor (electrical switch). The insects die and become an insulator between the points. In some cases the air handler transformers have been shorted by insects. Sand, grass, twigs, acorns and leaves also help in the corrosive process by blocking the rinsing effects of rain and water.
How can the homeowners help prolong the life of their outside condenser?
- Rinse the air conditioning condensing coils with water to remove salt deposits. This should be done weekly on the Gulf Coast. (Make sure the electrical power is turned off first.)
- Ask your air conditioning contractor for maintenance and cleaning of the condenser coil. (Chemically)
- And ask about what kind of protective coating is offered to protect the coil fins from corrosion.
Clayton Air offers Pro-Tec Coating from SM Technology. This is a chemically applied ceramic surface modification treatment for aluminum and other metals. This technology was derived from well know silicate/silane chemistry and is used to produce a protective preceramic glass or silicate film. The Pro-Tec Coating chemically bonds to the metal surface and is clear, thin and impervious to breakdown by salts, acids and soot. PTC chemical ceramics are suitable for aluminum, copper and steel.
Using a surface coating on the inside components will provide additional benefits in improved evaporator life as it mitigates clogging by mold, dust, and soot.
Most reputable air conditioning companies offer a maintenance program and protective coatings for the customers’ air conditioning needs.
Rick Barto
Supervisor
Clayton Air
