If your air conditioner stops blowing cool air or stops altogether, check to see if your coils are frozen. What exactly will that look like?
A freeze-up is when a layer of ice forms on the outside of your air conditioning unit. It can look a bit disconcerting but don’t panic. It’s fixable. Whether you have a central air system or a window unit, the causes and effects, as well as the solutions, are the same.
The ice buildup on your air conditioner creates the inability for it to cool effectively and puts stress on the compressor. Over time, this can lead to a costly repair or the need to replace the compressor.
At Reliable Air & Heat, we can help. First, let’s explore a number of the possible reasons for the freeze-up:
Insufficient airflow. Anything restricting the airflow in your unit will cause the system’s evaporator coil to freeze. There are a few reasons your air may not be flowing efficiently. The most common problem is a dirty air filter. If you are running your air conditioner continuously, we recommend replacing or cleaning the air filter once a month. Other air flow problems include blocked or closed ducts and vents, a faulty fan, and/or dirt on the evaporator coil.
Dirty Evaporator Coils. Over time, layers of dirt, dust, and grime will start to accumulate on your coils which restricts them from absorbing heat from the air. Ultimately, when the system is not able to absorb the heat from the air, it will cause condensation which will start to freeze up. Evaporator coils need regular cleaning, and we recommend cleaning once a season.
Low refrigerant or Freon®. Another thing that causes an air conditioner to freeze is low refrigerant or Freon. This causes a drop in pressure inside the evaporator coil, which then allows moisture in the air to accumulate and freeze on the coil. A leak is typically responsible for the low refrigerant. If the cause of your freeze-up is low refrigerant, you need to contact one of our trained and experienced technicians to assist you in the repair. This includes finding and repairing the leak, then refilling your refrigerant to its proper level.
If your air conditioner freezes, turn it off. Let your unit thaw a while. One of our professionals will be able to work on it as soon as the ice has melted completely.
Call Us Today
At Reliable Air & Heat, our professionals are always willing to assist you no matter the issue! Whether you’re in need of service or you have some questions, you can give us a call at 936-890-8991 or request service online. If your air conditioner stops working, whether it’s frozen or for any other reason, we are here to help. We will have it cooling your home again in no time.
