They to all aluminium to stop formicary corrosion that causes leaks copper coils. We don't repair coils because of formicary corrosion. All of our coils and systems offer a 10 year parts and labor warranty backed by us and we only install American standard.

 

Thank you for your post. I found an article on formicary corrosion, and I think it is very informative about the issue: http://www.achrnews.com/articles/126813-resolving-formicary-corrosion-concerns

If I am reading the article correctly, the more insulated and sealed up my house becomes, the more household air pollutants may get into my system to cause this kind of corrosion. So maybe I should only be looking for all aluminum coolant coils not only in the outside AC compressor unit, but also in the expansion coil (is that also called an air handler (?)) that goes in the attic? This may also explain why my current 12 year old compressor has a coolant coil leak that I am told cannot be fixed.

Thank you for your extremely helpful and informative comment!

 

Aluminum for splits yes, no issues with formicary corrosion, we use Tin Plated on small package.............I still think the formic Acid Issues plaguing the industry started with the MFG process and was transported to us, already infected.........IMHO..........way to may copper coils out there with no issues whatsoever thicker copper yes, but that only equates to time......

 

In my opinion the Am. Std/Trane forefront air handlers are light years ahead of the competition for design,quality,reliability,and lowest cost of ownership.

 

Thank you, I will check out American Standard and Trane equipment. I also read in the article that evaporator coils that use micro-channel coils might stand up better to this type of corrosion. As a homeowner, I find the lack of specific information on the manufacturer's websites frustrating. (Or more likely, I don't know enough about the subject to look in the right place on these websites. The pretty brochures showing happy families and their golden retrievers are a bit thin on the information.) Without this forum, I would be in the dark on many important HVAC issues. You experts have been very helpful in researching a very serious investment in our home. Thank you again (can't say that enough).

 

I do this for a living and would not put a copper coil in my house. Its a guaranteed leaker within 5 years.

 

well, it's all in the design of the house, and the installation of the equipment matched to the house.

aluminum coils are better at withstanding the damage from formicary corrosion, but a house with proper air exchange, and correctly sized to properly condition the house, will have less of an issue with the chemicals that cause the formicary corrosion.

a tight house, does not have to be a house with chemical buildup in your coil... proper air exchange with fresh filtered air along with dehumidification and proper insulation will lower the load on your house, and improve the air quality, removing the issue of chemical buildup in the first place.

 

Chlorine pool chemicals are agressive to aluminum. If near a pool..............

Also, how about sea breeze?

 

1.) Aluminum coils CAN be repaired.
2.) Tin plated coils can and do leak (Ask Carrier about that)
3.) You won't have much of a choice soon as most manufacturers are going aluminum.

 

So far for us 0 tin plate leaks we have several hundred on RTU'S out there

 

I recommend not using the hvac "company" you refered to in you first post.

 

So no pools or sea breezes, and based on what everyone is saying it looks like aluminum is the way to go.

I did read about aluminum mircro-channel coils having some cooling advantages, but I haven't found anybody talking about those on their websites so maybe no one is using them yet.

Trane has a You Tube video that discusses why their proprietary coil design has less leaks (less bends = less chance for leaks) and also has a copper end attached so that installers don't have to do an aluminum to copper weld (or however you guys attach two different metals) for the refrigerant lines. I'm guessing that might be a way to avoid Galvanic Corrosion (right?) leaks. I guess the aluminum coil does as good a job of cooling as the copper? (I know my copper core pots heat and cool better than straight aluminum ones do, but they don't spring leaks either). We're doing our first energy audit on Tuesday so we'll see what equipment this contractor suggests. In any event, I'm glad to hear you can repair a leaking aluminum coil (hopefully mine won't leak)!

Thank you all for your thoughts and opinions. You are all awesome for taking the time to comment.

 

No matter what you choose 10 year warranty, pretty standard and I think the Formic issue is in the past....soon another pink elephant shall appear