On the whole, coastal homes will always have significantly different material requirements compared to homes located further inland. The harsh conditions on the coast call for materials to have higher resilience to extreme weather conditions and the corrosive salty sea air. Your HVAC system is no exception.
When choosing a heat pump for your coastal home, you must choose one made with corrosion-resistant materials that can withstand harsh coastal conditions. Both Trane and Carrier produce a range of superior quality heat pumps designed specifically to be used in salty coastal conditions.
When embarking on any project along the coast, you must remember that conditions are significantly different from inland areas. As a result, any materials used must be suitable for exposure to salty air and extreme weather. This includes the materials of the components in HVAC systems, such as heat pumps.
Best Heat Pump For The Coast
As a general rule, everything on the coast has a shorter lifespan than anything situated inland. The salty ocean air and generally harsh weather conditions play havoc on materials, especially anything containing metal.
The coastal environment is highly corrosive, so any mechanical or electrical equipment components are susceptible to corrosion unless they have been specifically treated for these conditions.
While your average heat pump situated away from the coast will last between ten and twenty years, a heat pump in a coastal area will last between seven and twelve years.
Bear in mind that because a heat pump performs the functions of both heating and cooling, this equipment is used throughout the year. As a result, there is significantly more wear and tear on the components of the equipment overall.
Remember that as your system becomes older, it will lose efficiency, thereby becoming more expensive to run with increasing costs of repairs and utilities.
What usually warrants replacing a heat pump is the corrosion – and resultant leaking – of a failing compressor or condenser. This will happen more rapidly on the coast, and even a small amount of corrosion will affect the unit’s performance. Prevention and maintenance are paramount.
The internal parts of heat pumps – such as those produced by Trane and Carrier – are made with coastal conditions in mind. This will result in slower corrosion of the condenser under salty coastal conditions.
It’s important to remember that despite a heat pump being designed to withstand harsh coastal conditions, there are several interventions you can employ to ensure its longevity. Firstly, proper placement of the unit is extremely important.
By ensuring that the unit is placed away from the direct line of fire of breezes coming off the water, you will minimize the unit’s exposure to the salty, corrosive air. If your area ever experiences floods, your heat pump should be raised above the floor to protect it from additional exposure to seawater that will reduce the system’s lifespan.
Carrier Heat Pumps
Carrier’s specially designed coastal heat pumps – such as the Infinity 16 Coastal Heat Pump – come standard with a 10-year warranty that assures you it will last exceptionally well on the coast.
One feature that makes this an excellent choice for the coast is the dual paint coverage on all parts of exposed metal. This dual paint system coats the metal components completely to ensure it is properly protected from corrosion – internally and externally.
Baked-on powder coating offers excellent rust protection overall. The coil fin is protected from the harsh ocean air through an ArmorPlate coating. This is achieved through permanently bonding a specially formulated epoxy to all coil surfaces.
This coating will prevent the highly undesirable occurrence of galvanic corrosion ubiquitous along the coast. The ArmorPlate coating has been thoroughly tested and proven to last far longer than standard coils under harsh coastal conditions.
Trane Heat Pumps
Trane heat pumps boast several features that make them suitable for the coast despite the moist, salt-laden air. The biggest standout feature of Trane’s heat pumps is the all-aluminum fin coils.
Corrosion is the biggest problem for metal elements on the coast, which is made significantly worse by galvanic corrosion. This phenomenon occurs when two metals of different types are located close to each other. Copper and aluminum are often used alongside one another when making coils.
As a result, if these coils are exposed to salt spray – an excellent conducting fluid – the two dissimilar metals will essentially act as a battery. One of the metals will be sacrificed to the other.
With Trane’s all-aluminum coils, the chances of corrosion are significantly lower. These coils undergo a 2000-hour salt spray test to see if and how corrosion occurs. This is significantly higher than the industry standard of only 1000 hours.
Trane conducts field tests with their units in real coastal locations to ensure the highest quality levels to check and improve the materials’ performance when exposed to salt spray.
The heat pumps produced by train also boast several other features that are a huge benefit on the coast. To begin with, these heat pumps are made with a “Seacoast Shield” that protects the joints from salt spray. This excellent added durability feature helps eliminate an overriding need for anti-corrosion materials.
The fasteners used for the Trane heat pump are highly resistant to rust, meeting a 1000-hour salt spray test. In addition, the heat pump features an integrated steel cabinet that offers a tight fit and excellent protection for the internal components.
Other Methods of Ensuring Heat Pump Efficiency
To ensure your heat pump remains at an efficient level of functionality over the years, you should ensure the rest of your home is as efficient as the unit. One of the most important factors is proper insulation in the walls and attic. This will ensure the heat pump doesn’t have to work as hard, allowing it to last longer.
Weatherstripping around doors and caulking around windows will ensure that the house remains tightly sealed from the external environment. Ductwork should be properly sealed, and the ducts in attics and crawlspaces should be insulated.
Conclusion
Due to harsh, salty conditions on the coast, the components of features such as heat pumps will quickly become damaged and corroded in the harsh coastal conditions. As a result, several manufacturers have created heat pumps specifically designed for use under these conditions. If your house is on the coast, choosing one of these heat pumps is important to ensure longevity and optimal functionality.
Sources
- https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/heat-pumps/buying-guide/index.htm
- https://www.carrier.com/residential/en/ca/products/heat-pumps/25hnb6–c/
- https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2422828/need-new-heat-pump-system-in-coastal-area
- https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/224731/docs/Carrier_Comfort_Coastal_HP_-_Web.pdf?t=1501700035684
