Salt air, wind-blown sand and power surges after load shedding are the three big enemies of aircons in Gqeberha. Most of the repairs we do in the metro trace back to one of them. Here is how each one does damage, and what you can do about it.

Quick answer

Gqeberha aircons fail early mainly because salt corrodes outdoor coils and joints until gas leaks out, wind-blown sand and dust clog coils so units run hot, and surges after power cuts damage boards and capacitors. Regular servicing, rinsing the outdoor coil, sheltered placement and surge protection prevent most of these failures.

Enemy one: salt

Gqeberha sits on Algoa Bay, and the city's strong winds carry salt a long way inland. On an aircon, salt settles on the outdoor unit's coil, a mass of thin aluminium fins wrapped around copper tubes. Salt attracts moisture from the humid air and starts a slow corrosion process.

How salt damage progresses

1. Discolouration. The fins turn dull and white or grey, with a powdery residue. 2. Fin breakdown. Fins become brittle and crumble when touched, reducing the coil's ability to release heat. 3. Pinhole leaks. Corrosion eats through copper tubes or joints. Refrigerant escapes slowly. 4. Loss of cooling. As gas leaks out, the unit cools less and less. Eventually it stops cooling and may shut down on low-pressure protection. 5. Compressor strain. Running low on gas makes the compressor overheat, which can lead to the most expensive failure of all.

Fighting salt

  • Shelter the outdoor unit from direct sea wind and spray where possible.
  • Rinse it gently with fresh water from a garden hose every month or two, with the unit switched off. Never use a pressure washer.
  • Service it every six months near the beach, once a year further inland.
  • Treat it. Anti-corrosion coatings can be applied to coils during a service.
  • Replace rusting brackets before they fail.
  • Choose coated coils when buying a new unit for a coastal home.

Enemy two: wind, sand and dust

Gqeberha's wind blows sand, dust, leaves and litter into outdoor units. Inside the house, dust passes through open windows and collects on indoor filters.

What dirt does

A coil covered in dirt cannot transfer heat properly. In cooling mode, the outdoor unit struggles to get rid of heat, so pressures and temperatures rise, the compressor works harder and electricity use goes up. A clogged indoor filter reduces airflow, which can cause the indoor coil to freeze and then leak water when it thaws.

Fighting dirt

  • Clean the indoor filters every month during summer. Most slide out easily and can be rinsed under a tap and dried in the shade.
  • Keep the area around the outdoor unit clear of plants, leaves and stored items.
  • Remove plastic bags and debris that blow against the unit.
  • Have the coils professionally cleaned during servicing.

Enemy three: power surges

Nelson Mandela Bay has lived through years of load shedding and unplanned outages. Each time power returns, there can be a voltage spike, and sometimes the supply flickers on and off several times. Aircons contain sensitive electronics, especially inverter models, and these spikes can damage:

  • Control boards in the indoor and outdoor units
  • Temperature sensors
  • Capacitors
  • Compressor drive electronics on inverter units

Fighting surges

  • Install surge protection at the distribution board. This needs an electrician, and it protects every appliance in the house.
  • When the power goes off, switch the aircon off with the remote.
  • When power returns, wait a few minutes for the supply to settle before switching it back on.
  • If you are going away, switch the unit off at the isolator.

Warning signs to act on early

Catching problems early is the difference between a small repair and a big one. Book a check if you notice:

  • The unit takes longer to cool the room than it used to
  • The outdoor unit's fins look white, powdery or crumbly
  • Ice forms on the pipes at the outdoor unit or on the indoor coil
  • Water drips from the indoor unit
  • Rust appears on brackets or the outdoor casing
  • The unit shows error codes after power cuts
  • Your electricity bill rises without a change in use

What a proper service does

A good service goes well beyond cleaning filters. It should include cleaning the indoor coil and blower, flushing the drain, cleaning the outdoor coil, checking refrigerant pressures, testing capacitors and electrical connections, and checking for corrosion on the coil, joints and brackets. In Gqeberha, that last check is the one that saves the most money, because corrosion caught early can be treated before it causes a leak.

Suburb by suburb

  • Summerstrand, Humewood, South End, Schoenmakerskop: heavy salt. Service every six months, rinse monthly.
  • Bluewater Bay and the northern beaches: heavy salt and wind. Same as above.
  • Walmer, Mill Park, Newton Park, Richmond Hill: moderate salt, lots of wind. Annual service, rinse a few times a year.
  • Lorraine, Lovemore Heights, Westering, Framesby: less salt, but dust and wind. Annual service, regular filter cleaning.

Frequently asked questions

How long should an aircon last in Gqeberha?

A well-installed, regularly serviced unit can last many years, even near the sea. Units that are never serviced and sit exposed to salt spray often fail much sooner.

Can a corroded outdoor coil be repaired?

Early corrosion can be cleaned and treated. Once the coil is leaking in several places, repair is often not economical, and replacing the outdoor unit or the whole system may make more sense.

Is surge protection really necessary?

In Gqeberha, it is one of the most cost-effective ways to protect your aircon and other appliances from damage when power returns after outages.

Apex HVAC is an independent company and is not affiliated with or authorised by any appliance manufacturer. This guide is general advice. For anything involving electricity or refrigerant gas, use a qualified technician.

Need a hand? See our aircon repair and servicing service in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha).