Protecting Your Furnace From Corrosion
The cool, refreshing sea breeze that comes with living in coastal homes could also be wreaking havoc on your furnace. The extra salt and moisture in the air that blows in from the ocean can have corrosive effects on metal and other furnace materials and wear out your furnace faster.
Fortunately, there are some smart ways to keep your furnace protected from the elements so that you can heat your coastal home sufficiently when the weather turns chilly at the beach.
Signs of Corrosion
You might not notice that parts of your furnace are starting to corrode initially, and this is especially true in areas of your furnace that are harder to see.
Signs of a corroding furnace often include:
- Discoloration of the unit
- Rust formation
- The formation of small holes (pitting)
- A white, powdery substance (salt) on the surface
- Corrroded or rusted coils
- Weak airflow
What You Can Do to Save Your Furnace
If you notice corrosion anywhere on your furnace, it might not be too late to take action to save your unit and keep the problem from getting worse. Professional HVAC technicians can also provide support to help you keep your coastal home’s furnace intact.
Choose a Coastal-rated Furnace
Some furnaces are built from materials that are designed specifically to withstand the wearing effects of high salt content in the ocean air. These materials are often coated in substances that can withstand corrosion better. You may also consider buying a variable-speed heat pump made from marine-grade metals.
Apply Anti-corrosive Coating
If your furnace’s materials don’t already have anti-corrosive coating on them, you can apply this coating yourself to give your unit a stronger layer of protection. Epoxy and hydrophilic coating can be especially good for protecting the furnace coil from corrosion.
Clean Your Furnace
Even though it’s usually best to call a knowledgeable HVAC technician to schedule a thorough cleaning of your unit at least once a year, you can still remove a lot of the salt and other debris by wiping down the exterior parts when the power isn’t running. If your furnace has a condenser, you can try rinsing the condensate drain line with fresh water a couple times a month or after rainstorms or windstorms when the power is off to wash away the extra salt accumulation.
Improve the Airflow
Sufficient airflow can keep moisture and debris from building up inside your furnace, and you can promote better airflow by keeping furniture and other items clear of your unit. You should also replace the furnace filter every one to two months in a coastal home and schedule annual duct inspections to make sure that nothing is inhibiting airflow.
Maintain Optimal Humidity
Even some coastal regions are prone to high humidity, and the extra moisture in the air could cause rust formation and other damage that leads to corrosion. A dehumidifier that keeps the indoor humidity level between 30% to 50% can be ideal, especially in the summer months when humidity levels are usually higher.
Set Up a Barrier
A natural or manmade barrier around your coastal home can help block some of the salt that blows in from the ocean and may harm your heating unit. A fence may work well, or you could also plant some bushes or other vegetation to act as a natural barrier.
Schedule Regular Maintenance
Some of the maintenance tasks you can do yourself, such as changing the filter, but others should be done by professionals. In addition to professional cleaning, HVAC technicians can do other maintenance tasks to help protect your furnace against corrosive effects and access areas deeper inside your system that you may have trouble reaching. It’s also a good idea to record the work that was done in a maintenance log to stay on top of your maintenance schedule better.
If you want to prevent corrosion and extend the life of your coastal home’s furnace, the experts from Birmingham’s One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating can offer you comprehensive service. Contact us today to schedule an inspection or any other work your unit might need. We’re on time, or you don’t pay a dime.
