Common questions

What people ask before booking.

Anti-corrosion coating, preventative maintenance, the difference between SALT and ceramic AC coatings, warranty terms. If your question isn’t here, email support@saltcc.co.

• 01

  When should I get my AC coated?

  As early in the unit's life as possible. Coating doesn't reverse corrosion — it prevents new damage. Brand new to 5 years old is the strongest ROI window. 5 to 7 year units are case by case (we review photos before charging). 7+ years or visibly corroded — we usually recommend the SALT Maintenance Plan instead to extend what's left rather than coat a unit on its way out.

• 02

  How is this different from ceramic coating for AC?

  You've probably heard of ceramic coating for cars — a clear protective layer that shields paint from environmental damage. Same idea, different chemistry, for AC. We use marine-grade urethane (Bronz-Glow TVS) instead of ceramic. The U.S. Navy uses the same urethane on shipboard HVAC because it holds up better than ceramic in saltwater conditions. Functionally — both shield the metal from what would otherwise destroy it.

• 03

  What is Bronz-Glow TVS marine urethane?

  A two-coat marine-grade urethane developed for U.S. Navy shipboard HVAC equipment — the AC systems on aircraft carriers and offshore platforms. The U.S. Navy's Technical Report N-1560 found that unprotected coastal HVAC systems lost up to 55% of operating efficiency in 24 months; coated systems held their performance. We apply two thin coats over a chemically cleaned coil and outdoor cabinet.

• 04

  How long does the coating last?

  The coating itself doesn't peel or fail under normal coastal exposure. The 5-year written warranty covers any coating failure. Most coated units we apply this to reach 13–15+ years of service life, versus 8 years on average for uncoated condensers within 3 miles of the ocean.

• 05

  What if my coil is too corroded for coating?

  We review every booking's photos before charging. If the coil is past the point where coating gives you 5 honest years, we tell you straight and your card is never charged for the coating. We'll offer enrollment in the SALT Maintenance Plan instead — twice-yearly chemical cleaning and rinse to extend the life of what you've got.

• 06

  What is the SALT Maintenance Plan?

  An annual preventative maintenance subscription for AC units that need cleaning rather than coating. Two visits per year — early April (pre-summer) and mid-August (mid-season). Coil chemical clean + outdoor cabinet rinse + drain check. $199/year for the first condenser; +$99/year for each additional unit at the same address. Cancel anytime.

• 07

  Do I need to be home during the service?

  No. Most customers leave a gate code or confirm by text when we arrive. We work outside, never need to enter the house, and leave the area around the AC unit cleaner than we found it. You won't be interrupted — most subscribers say they only know we were there because the cobwebs are gone.

• 08

  What's covered by the 5-year warranty?

  Defects in the urethane coating itself — peeling, blistering, or coating failure under normal coastal exposure. If the coating fails inside 5 years from your installation date, we come back and recoat at no charge. The warranty is written and tied to your service address. Coil failures from manufacturing defects, pre-existing damage, or physical impact (hurricane debris, lawnmower hits) aren't covered, which is why we do the pre-arrival photo review.

• 09

  What towns does SALT service?

  All of Monmouth County and Ocean County, NJ. Heaviest concentration in the coastal towns: Spring Lake, Bay Head, Mantoloking, Sea Girt, Manasquan, Point Pleasant Beach, Long Beach Island (Barnegat Light, Surf City, Beach Haven), Sea Bright, Monmouth Beach, Avon-by-the-Sea, Belmar, and surrounding shore communities.

• 10

  Why are coastal AC units more vulnerable than inland units?

  Salt air corrodes aluminum and copper — the metals that make AC coils transfer heat. Within 3 miles of the ocean, microscopic salt particles settle on the coil fins and accelerate galvanic corrosion. The result: uncoated coastal AC condensers fail at 8 years on average versus 15+ years inland. This is HVAC manufacturer-acknowledged — most warranties explicitly exclude salt-air damage. Coating is the only preventative measure that actually works.

• 11

  Is the SALT coating service the same as routine HVAC maintenance?

  No. Routine HVAC maintenance — filter changes, refrigerant top-offs, electrical checks — keeps your existing unit running. SALT is preventative anti-corrosion treatment — we don't service the internal components or refrigerant. We protect the metal from the outside in. The two are complementary; many customers do annual HVAC maintenance with their installer and a single SALT coating in the unit's first 5 years.