Corrosion is costly. By definition, corrosion is the destruction of a metal or alloy through chemical, physical, or electrochemical reaction with the environment. As applied to HVAC equipment, environmental exposure can lead to galvanic action or general corrosion of heating and cooling coils. Improperly protected equipment in corrosive environments can lead to performance degradation, unsightly surface conditions and, under the most severe conditions, equipment failure. This can be costly to the customer and cause perception of poor product quality. Fortunately, corrosion can be minimized in most cases with proper protection.
Commercial equipment which may be susceptible to environmentally-activated corrosion includes:
- Rooftop Units
- Air-cooled Chillers
- Air-cooled Condensing Units
- Remote Air-cooled Condensers
- Make-Up Air-Handling Equipment
If improperly applied or left unprotected, this equipment can experience rapid corrosion from exposure to aggressive environments. However, measures can be taken to diagnose potentially corrosive environments prior to equipment selection. With this information, the best-suited protection can be applied to minimize the harmful effects of corrosive atmospheres and ensure long equipment life.
This guide will assist you in securing solutions in potentially corrosive environments by describing:
How to identify potentially harmful environments
How to select proper coil protection
Coil maintenance and cleaning recommendations
Postcoating chemical resistance guide
With this information, intelligent equipment selection decisions can be made to optimize the level of corrosion protection and maintain the highest level of long-term equipment quality.
