Vandana Bhairwa
Ever wondered what secret lies behind your AC’s cooling? The condenser coil in an AC is a remarkable component that holds the key to optimising cooling performance. This condenser coil made of different materials like copper and aluminium can sometimes be exposed to pollution, dust and other elements. This coil may corrode due to the humidity, dust and other particles present in the air or outer element, which impact the functioning of the air conditioner and lead to product damage and refrigerant leakage.
So it is essential to maintain the condenser coil to prevent damage. Hence, many ac manufacturing companies use different technologies with the same basic concept. This technology names Bluefin, Gold Fin, Ocean Black, and Durafin.
In this article, we will get to know everything about this technology briefly, including their brief understanding, the pros and cons of each technology, and which brands use which technology. Also, we will discuss the difference between each technology and why one should prefer this.
Before proceeding let’s discuss first why these coils require protection.
How does a Condenser Coil in an Air Conditioner work and why these coils require protection?
The ac cools any closed area by removing the humidity and excess moisture level. Especially in monsoons when the air has a moisture level, which creates a layer over the AC condenser coils and affects the heat exchange rate. The creation of other layers over the coil restricts the airflow, which increases strain on the air conditioner and reduces life.
The condenser helps condense the refrigerant gas from gas state to liquid state by cooling, which requires four stages to complete:
Stage 1: Compression
The refrigerant gas is compressed and converted into hot liquid in this phase.
Stage 2: Condensation
In the next stage, this hot liquid passes through the condenser coil, which converts it into liquid.
Stage 3: Expansion Valve
This valve changes the higher-pressure liquid to the lower-pressure liquid.
Stage 4: Evaporation
The evaporation coil absorbs heat and changes the liquid into a gas from where the cool air is distributed in the room.
So the condenser coil plays an important part in transferring the inside air to the outside air, which determines the appliance’s efficiency. And hence protection of the coil is necessary.
What is Gold Fin Technology
Gold fin technology is best known for protecting the condenser coil, especially from humidity, and is a little similar to blue fin technology. Gold fin condenser coils coated with an exclusive gold nano-coating derived from titanium dioxide. This coating is a barrier shielding the coils against water droplets, rust, acids, and other contaminants.
This technology uses copper and aluminium (good conductors of heat) metal to form condenser coils in air conditioning units for refrigeration and heat transfer. However, compared to aluminium, copper is an expensive material. To cut the cost, many brands use aluminium coils welded to the copper tubes to accelerate the performance; however, when these two metals are used simultaneously, resulting in increasing galvanic corrosion.
( Galvanic corrosion, also known as bimetallic corrosion, happens when two different metals come into contact with each other in the presence of moisture, which leads to an electrochemical reaction where one metal corrodes as the anode, while the other metal remains protected as the cathode.)
Pros of Gold Fin Technology
- Improves the heating efficiency of acs by increasing the defrosting process.
- Eco-friendly
- Better when compared to blue fin technology.
- Make the product last longer making it durable.
- Lowers energy consumption.
- Can work best especially in the monsoon and if you live in the humid climatic conditions.
- Protect the condenser coil from salt, water, and other elements.
Cons of Gold Fin Technology
- However gold fin technology is more expensive when compared to blue fin technology but it is worth investing as it will reduce the power consumption and running cost.
Which Brands use Gold Fin Technology
Some of the high-end brands like LG and IFB use gold fin technology which will act as a barrier between coil and other climates.
What is Blue Fin Technology
The Voltas company first utilized the blue fin technology to improve the performance and maintain the durability of an air conditioner. This blue fin coating over the condenser coil protects the coils from rusting, moisture, and humidity.
Bluefin technology uses the epoxy element – a raisin-like element that makes it appear blue; that is why it is named blue fin technology. These epoxy elements have fantastic properties, including low surface tension and non-reactiveness to acids, minerals, and other impurities, which protect the coil from rusting and make your ac long-lasting and durable.
This epoxy element is a hydrophilic element that doesn’t allow the formation of water drops and improves the process of heat exchange and makes the process of cooling faster, which makes the coil reliable and enhances the functioning of air conditioners.
Pros of Blue Fin Technology
- Help in energy saving hence the most energy-efficient option.
- Less expensive compared to gold fin technology.
- Alleviate the heat transfer rate.
- The epoxy coating protects against acid, salt, water, and other elements which cause rust.
Cons of Blue Fin Technology
- This coating produces an extra layer, which disturbs the heat exchange of refrigerant and impacts the condensation process.
- It is not a highly resistant agent.
Which Brands use Blue Fin Technology
What is Ocean Black Protection Technology
The ocean black technology consists of a weatherproof coating over the ac, the same as gold and blue fin technology and prevents it from rusting and damaging.
This technology utilizes a hydrophilic film layer which makes sure not to accumulate water and salt, reducing the deposition of salt, dust acid and moisture and increasing the product’s longevity. It prevents both internal and external parts of ac, meaning the condenser and external parts like fan motor brackets, the base pan, and the service valve supporter.
Initially, the LG brand used gold fin in its air conditioners; however, taking innovation a step further, LG has introduced Ocean Black Protection technology for superior protection and durability. To provide comprehensive protection, LG implements this technology by applying it to all metal components of their ACs parts, including coating valve supporters, fan motor brackets, the base pan, and outer panels, ensuring optimal durability and safeguarding against environmental factors.
Pros of Ocean Black Protection Technology
- Ac with this technology comes with ISO certification.
- Gold and blue fin technology can help alleviate the performance of the AC, while ocean black makes them durable.
- As per the salt spray test, ocean black technology ac is 50% to 90% more durable than other air conditioners.
Cons of Ocean Black Protection Technology
- Hence LG has patented this technology, so it is available only in the LG brand air conditioners.
Which Brands use Ocean Black Protection Technology
- LG use the Ocean Black Protection technology in its latest models.
What is Durafin Technology
Like Ocean Black Protection, Samsung introduces DuraFin technology condenser coil protection as an exclusive condenser coil protection solution. As the name suggests, duration technology offers double-layer protection, including an anti-corrosive layer beneath a hydrophilic layer. This combined structure effectively safeguards the AC condenser coils and ensures their longevity and resilience. It passes the salt spray test; therefore, people living in humid areas can benefit from purchasing Samsung ACs equipped with Durafin technology.
Pros of Durafin Technology
- Durafin technology prevents the air conditioner from corrosion and increases heat transfer rate.
- Thicker as compared to others.
- Less friction which improves the air flow.
Cons of Durafin Technology
- You will get this technology only in the Samsung brand.
Which Brands use Durafin Technology
- Samsung is the only brand that uses Durafin Technology in its air conditioner. Apart from this technology, there is another technology in Samsung air conditioners: Micro-Channel Condenser Coil Technology. The only difference is in terms of construction, as it consists of many micro channels for gas to flow through and several flat tubes, which decrease air resistance, resulting in more cooling.
Difference between Blue Fin and Gold Fin Technology - Which is Better?
Both technologies prevent the ac from rusting, enhance performance and increase durability. Both gold and blue fins are similar in terms of working. However, it depends on the personal requirements. Both are suitable for humid climatic conditions.
- The difference is a coating, which both technology use. Gold fin technology is made from gold coating derived from titanium, while blue fin coating is of epoxy elements.
- Gold fins are usually found in premium and high-end AC, while bluefin is best for budget-friendly air conditioners.
- Gold fin is expensive when compared to bluefin.
Difference between Gold Fin Technology or Ocean Black Protection - Which is Better?
The ocean black protections and gold fin both are the best technologies. Blue fins offer durability and longevity while gold fin offers efficiency and performance. Both technologies are perfect for coastal areas. Another advantage of the gold fin is 100% eco-friendly.
Conclusions
With a deeper comprehension of air conditioner technology and manufacturers’ technology to identify and prevent corrosion, you can confidently select an AC equipped with design and technology. By understanding the significance of corrosion protection and technologies, I hope this article will help you understand all the technologies used in the ac.
Still, if you have any questions, let me know in the below comments.
