Corrosion in Air Conditioners: Why It Happens

Corrosion is a common problem in a number of metal devices and appliances. A result of long-term moisture exposure, it can develop quickly along evaporator and condenser coils and potentially lead to the failure of the air conditioning system.

Corrosion in Air Conditioners: Why It Happens

In this post, Stone Heating and Air — one of the area’s most trusted HVAC companies — shares more information about corrosion in air conditioners.

What Causes Corrosion in Air Conditioners?

Outdoor AC units are constantly exposed to the elements, and moisture in particular poses a threat since it can trigger corrosion on the AC’s metal coils. Although the AC cabinet can keep water away from most of the AC parts, it can’t provide complete protection. Water can get in via the unit’s grille, or your AC can be afflicted with formicary corrosion.

Formicary corrosion is a type of corrosion caused by the reaction of copper to formaldehyde. It produces weak patches along the copper and affects the indoor components of an air conditioner. It’s also one of the most common causes of refrigerant leaks. Formaldehyde is found in many homes, and it can be difficult to get rid of. Chlorine and fluoride, which are present in homes as well, may also cause corrosion.

Another common source of corrosion is a dog’s urine. If you have dogs at home, make sure that they relieve themselves away from your AC unit.

How Can Corrosion Affect Your Air Conditioner?

Air conditioning companies usually warn about the loss of refrigerant as a result of corrosion. As the copper of refrigerant coils corrodes, this high-pressure chemical finds it easier to escape, which reduces the amount of refrigerant in your air conditioner.

When the refrigerant level dips below the recommended amount, your whole AC unit could be at risk of damage or failure. Your AC will likely lose its cooling power, the indoor coil will freeze over, and the compressor will overheat and burn out. In this case, it’s best to replace the entire AC unit.

Stone Heating and Air is one of the most reputable cooling and home heating companies in the area. We offer a variety of HVAC services ranging from repairs to replacement. Call us at (541) 855-5521 or fill out our contact form to request a quote.

Category: ,

Tags: ,

Request An Appointment

Please subscribe me to the newsletter
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

We had our AC go out on one of the hottest days of the year. We called as soon as they opened and they came out so quickly and offered us some loaner units to keep our babies and animals cool in the meantime. Matt was so helpful and fixed the problem quickly. He went above and beyond to help us and we will be using Stone Heating and Air to replace our unit when it’s time. They’ll be our first call in the future!

Elizabeth T.

Matt's response was extremely quick, he was very professional and friendly. He explained everything in detail and was very knowledgeable. He had my unit up and running within no time! I highly recommend calling stone heating and air. I will be signing up for the yearly service plan with them!!

Tim S.

I had a wonderful experience to hangout with this superior crewmen who came to install a new HVAC system at my house. To see these professional guys were at work with their best, I would recommend to anyone to do business with this wonderful company! Best regards

Bryan H.

I’ve used Stone Heat and Air for several projects and every time they have preformed beyond my expectations. I would highly recommend them for any of your HVAC needs.

Matthew V.S.

Excellent Service I could not have been more happy with the service, quality and honesty that I received from Stone Heating and Air. I will refer this HVAC company to all of my friends.

Gene S

Great Service, knowledgeable service technician This was for our guest house heater. I was very happy with the service provided. They were on time, polite and clean. They inspected the Monitor heater and then proceeded to clean it and they were able to fix that. Will definitely use for jobs in the future

Amanda S

Maintenance Great service, and great price

Mike J.

Great Company Dave was fantastic. He is very knowledgeable about the system and his cleaning job was incredible. He was able to explain everything that he was doing and make it make sense for general homeowner. Good Job guys!

Brian F

Excellent service! Excellent service! Knowledgeable staff! I was very impressed with the responsiveness and knowledge of your team. Shortly after 1 called for an appointment, Dave and Gino did a thorough inspection of my system and explained all of the areas that needed repair or replacement. They gave me short and long-term options and the benefits of both. HVAC is not something I know a lot about so I had appreciated their patience. Overall, it was a great experience! 5 STARS!! Highly recommend Stone Heating and Air!

John L

Related Content

Environmental Factors Impacting HVAC Maintenance

Environmental Factors Impacting HVAC Maintenance

By Stone Heating & Air | July 15, 2024
Maintaining efficient and reliable HVAC systems is a critical component of facilities management that directly impacts your company's employees and customers. HVAC systems are the heart of any building's comfort,...
When should I clean my air ducts

Spring Cleaning: When Should I Clean My Air Ducts?

By Stone Heating & Air | July 1, 2024
Something about longer days of sunshine makes many of us want to improve our living environment. Maintaining a healthy and efficient home environment is a priority for every homeowner. One...
Issues with Your AC

Beat the Heat: Top Issues with Your AC and How to Fix Them

By Stone Heating & Air | June 17, 2024
As the summer heat rolls in, there's nothing more disappointing than flipping the switch on your air conditioner and finding it doesn't work as expected. The scorching sun outside makes...