Rust on your air conditioner isn’t only unsightly but can also affect your unit’s operation. It’s important to take the required preventative measures to ensure that your AC continues to provide your home with the comfort you desire. Let’s take a look at the reasons your air conditioner develops rust and what we at 4 Seasons Heating & Air recommend our customers in Alpharetta, GA can do to remedy the situation.
How Your Air Conditioner Gets Rusty
Your air conditioner is exposed to the elements with the external unit being subject to wind, rain, and snow. If you live near the ocean, salty humidity is carried through the air on windy days and settles on your AC unit. With time, the salt can be quite corrosive, stripping away the protective coat of paint and causing the metallic parts to rust. You should check your air conditioner’s warranty to see if rust may be a cause for it to be considered void.
How to Prevent Rust
Rust prevention is something you need to place as a priority for your air conditioner. Prevention may start with purchasing the right AC unit. For homeowners that live in seaside areas with lots of humidity, a specially coated air conditioner may be the right option. On the other hand, if you have recently purchased a unit that does not have such a protective coating, you can add it yourself.
A Fresh Coat of Paint
In the case that you’ve had an air conditioner and it has started to develop rust on its surfaces, you can still save your unit from serious damage. You will need to remove the rust first so that the corrosion does not continue below the protective coating you will be adding. Use fine-grit sandpaper to rub the rust right off the surface. Use a degreaser to wash the dust from the sanding you’ve just performed. Cover the internal parts with a cloth or a tarp so you don’t get paint all over them. Finally, add a layer of rust-proof primer and finish off with rust-proof paint.
If you’re a homeowner in Alpharetta, GA, and need advice about an air conditioner that’s starting to rust, contact 4 Seasons Heating & Air today to speak with one of our NATE-certified technicians. We also offer heating repair and maintenance as well as emergency services for your heating and cooling needs.
