For HVAC contractors to be optimally productive on the job, stopping the accelerated corrosion of metal components and facilitating maintenance is essential. Left unprotected from rain, snow, runoff, humidity, condensation, and coastal salt air, a host of metal HVAC parts can seize up with corrosion, slowing routine maintenance and repair jobs considerably until the “frozen” part is worked loose.
So, it can be advantageous for HVAC contractors to streamline future maintenance by preparing surfaces and connections with lubricants and protectants on a variety of components – from air fans and cooling coils, to mechanical dampers, pulleys, and adjustable motors, to shafts, fittings, and even fasteners. This can significantly speed service and repair, optimize heating/cooling performance, and even extend the life of equipment.
“As an HVAC contractor, the more jobs you can perform each day, the more money for the company. So, you do not want to waste time trying to break a seized, corroded component loose – or in the worst case cut it off [which can happen with seized fan blades] – so you can complete the service or repair,” said Louis Bakane, an HVAC technician in Alabama who has worked with residential, commercial, and industrial clients since 1979 before his recent retirement.
For contractors seeking to become significantly more productive and profitable in the business of delivering reliable HVAC service, now all-purpose sprays been developed. These function as corrosion inhibiter, lubricant, and cleaner to protect metal components such as heat exchange fins and cooling coils to keep them in good working order, so servicing can be accomplished in a fraction of the time.
“Labor is the biggest HVAC contractor expense, so if they can cut their service time by a third or even in half – like I did – with an anti-corrosion spray, lubricant, and cleaner such as Force5 HVAC, that is a great return on investment,” said Bakane.
The Force5 HVAC corrosion inhibitor penetrates into metal parts to prevent rust and corrosion while forming a bond that repels water and other contaminants. The protectant goes on wet and dries in place. A shield-like film coating protects equipment against the effects of moisture and corrosion, including coastal salt air. This helps to ensure HVAC equipment reliability and prolongs its usable life.
As a lubricant, the fast-acting, penetrating compound cuts through corrosion, rust, and dirt, quickly getting into metal parts that have become frozen or encrusted to get them working again. It contains synthetic-based additives that act like microscopic ball-bearings to reduce friction, facilitate maintenance, and improve operation.
According to Bakane, he has used the anti-corrosion spray and lubricant on anything metal with mechanical, moving components.
“I have sprayed it on nuts, bolts, shafts, fittings, and anything that I put in new, so I didn’t have to work so hard to open the HVAC unit, get inside, and fix it if it breaks down,” he said. “It has helped to prevent freeze up on rooftop equipment, exhaust hoods, air balancers, mechanical dampers, pulleys, fans, and adjustable motors. Any HVAC equipment exposed to the elements can benefit from its use.”
The end result is expedited maintenance, which allows the HVAC professional to complete more jobs in the work day, with less physical strain and exertion.
“If a contractor is replacing belts on a six-month basis, he or she can spray the connections, shafts, etc. so servicing it is simplified,” he added. “I've had jobs where it cut my service time in half because I was able to change out a belt, motor, fan, or condensing unit so much faster.”
According to Bakane, use of the corrosion inhibitor, lubricant, and cleaner extends the life of HVAC equipment and improves its reliability as well.
Without sufficient protection, HVAC condenser and evaporator fins, made of aluminum or copper, will corrode in humid or moist settings, particularly in high salt environments near the coast. These components, as well as cooling coils, can fail due to corrosion and electrolysis in these environments.
The protectant and cleaner also helps waterproof and dry out wet electrical gear and other water-sensitive parts, and improves electrical performance by cleaning and protecting contacts and internal circuitry. Because of this capability and its dielectric properties (ability to transmit electric force without conduction) to 40,000 volts, it helps keep motors, electronics, circuit boards, lighting, wiring, connectors, switches, etc. working properly.
“I use it on HVAC control boards where there might be a lot of humidity,” said Bakane. “When I install new equipment, I spray some on the control board, which helps to prevent it from shorting out if ‘sweat’ [condensation in a heated environment] drips onto the control board connections.”
Due to such capabilities, adding use of the spray to an annual HVAC checkup will help to prolong the life of the unit, which is a key benefit for the contractor’s clients. For best results, apply the spray once a year, or twice annually if the heat exchangers are fully exposed to sunlight to compensate for some UV breakdown of the product.
For contractors who know that using the right tool simplifies the job, the availability of effective, all-purpose anti-corrosion, lubricant, and cleaner sprays can help to expedite HVAC work.
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