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How hard is the air on your unit?
Three questions about where the outdoor unit sits, how old it is and what the coil is made of. The answer tells you how much attention corrosion deserves before it decides for you.
Exposure
ModerateWorth planning for: rinse the coil regularly and have the fins and hardware checked at each service.
- Rinse the coil with fresh water, gently, from the inside out where access allows
- Keep the unit clear of shrubs so it dries between rinses
- Check the cabinet screws and base pan for rust at every visit
What actually helps
Four things that make a difference
- RinsingFresh water carries salt off the fins before it sits and eats them. Gentle pressure, not a jet wash.
- PlacementA unit on the sheltered side of the building, off the ground and out of the spray line, lasts longer than one facing the water.
- Coated coilsFactory-coated coils and coastal-duty cabinets cost more up front and are usually worth it within a mile of open water.
- HardwareStainless screws, proper pads and sealed line penetrations stop the small failures that let water in.
When corrosion decides it
A corroded coil can be replaced on its own while the rest of the system is sound, and sometimes that is the right call. When the cabinet, the base pan and the coil are all going at once, replacing the unit — this time with a coastal-duty one — usually costs less over the next decade.
We show you the parts we're judging, in place, before either conversation starts.