It can be really frustrating when your air conditioning unit starts freezing up. After all, a frozen air conditioner can leave you and your family stuck in a sweltering house on a hot day, and no one wants that. Learn why your a/c is freezing up and what you can do to fix the problem.
Improper Air Flow
If the air isn’t flowing through your a/c unit properly, the humidity in the air collects on the air conditioner’s coils, which creates a buildup of ice on the air conditioner. If this is your problem, replacing the evaporator coils and/or air filter can help solve your problem.
Replacing your air filter is fairly simple, and it should be completed as part of your regular a/c maintenance. However, call an HVAC contractor for an estimate when your a/c unit requires an evaporator coil replacement.
Start by changing the air filter to see if it solves the problem. If it does, great. You should check your air filter on a monthly basis — especially if you have allergies or pets in your home — and change it any time it’s dirty. If changing the air filter doesn’t help, it’s time to call in a pro to assess the situation.
Low Refrigerant
Low refrigerant levels can also cause your air conditioner to freeze up. Fortunately, hiring an HVAC contractor to complete annual air conditioning maintenance for you can help prevent this situation. The HVAC contractor should refill the refrigerant — recharge the a/c unit — during your annual inspection.
Keep in mind, recharge it at the beginning of the season to ensure proper function. If your air conditioning unit is more than 10 years old, you might want to consider replacing it instead of repairing it at the beginning of each cooling season.
Running Your A/C When the Outside Temperature is Too Low
Air conditioners function within a specific temperature range. So if you’re running your air conditioner when the air outside is less the 62 degrees, the pressure inside the unit drops, which can cause your air conditioner to freeze up. Instead of running your a/c when it isn’t overly hot outside, use fans to keep the air in your home cool.
While there are plenty of HVAC contractors in the Marine, IL area who can help you fix an air conditioner that’s frozen, you should try to prevent the problem completely. So have your a/c unit inspected each year, keep your air filter clean, and don’t use your a/c unit when it isn’t really hot outside.
