In summer we are often being asked the question “Why My Air Conditioner is Frozen?”. Here in Toronto in summer, we may have hot weather, regardless you should know what to do when your AC unit freezes up. That is right, an air conditioner unit can freeze up in the summer! Before you call us, you can read this article and you should be able to find out the reason why your A/C is doing so. We wrote about all possible reasons why ac coils get frozen. By the end of this article, you will decide that you can avoid an AC repair visit but if you need us, a friendly Vese Heating & Cooling tech is ready to help!
Here Are 6 Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner Freeze Up
1. Refrigerant Leaks
Low refrigerant levels are a surprisingly common reason when it comes to ice buildup on air-conditioning systems. As the unit attempts to operate with less refrigerant than intended by manufacturer, the resulting drop in pressure can cause evaporator-coil temperatures to dip below freezing.
When the temperatures dip like this, it can cause nearby water vapor to freeze onto the coils’ surface. While this initially creates a light coat of frost, the frost can eventually build up into a thick sheet of ice.
It’s a good idea to have your HVAC technician check your air conditioner’s refrigerant levels and, if necessary, track down any leaks that could be robbing your unit of its refrigerant.
2. Check Your Furnace Air Filter
Good airflow is absolutely necessary for your air conditioner system in the case of bad air flow a/c will freeze over. Your AC air filter is not something that should be casually neglected, though it is all too easy to forget. That filter sits between your dusty home vent and the AC itself, keeping the air (and your compressor coils) clean. But when it fills up with dust, like any filter, it becomes a clog instead of a pathway. If your air filter is clogged, it slows down airflow to a crawl and no amount of blower efficiency can keep your coils from freezing.
3. Debris BLOCKING THE A-COIL
Running without an air filter, a low-quality filter, or not changing your filter has another risk. AC refrigerant coils are often damp from moist air condensing on the cold surface. When dusty air blows past damp coils, it builds up into a thick blanket. That dust acts as an insulator, trapping the cold inside the coils themselves creating an excessive amount of freezing cold. This combines with more moisture which builds up on the dust and can create the ice-box effect.
4. Make Sure Your Blower Fan Is Working Properly
A faulty blower fan can also make life hard for your air conditioner, either because it can’t generate enough airflow to keep the coil from freezing over or because it won’t function at all. In either case, you’ll need to have your HVAC technician take a good look at the blower fan. In addition to checking the age and overall wear condition of the blower fan and its motor, your HVAC technician may also check the fan’s rotational direction, rotation speed, and power output.
5. Check Your Condensate Drain Line
Your air conditioner cools the surrounding air by absorbing its latent heat and transferring said heat outdoors. Any moisture that was condensed out of the once-humid air ends up in the condensate drip tray, where it eventually flows out of the air conditioner through a built-in drainage system.
If any part of that system becomes clogged, the water in the tray can back up and eventually overflow. More importantly, the resulting excess moisture can make the evaporator coil more vulnerable to freezing over. If you notice any blockages, try using the suction power of a wet/dry shop vacuum to dislodge any debris.
If your air-conditioning system is giving you the cold shoulder due to ice buildup, schedule an appointment with one of our seasoned HVAC technicians via our contact form today.
6. Check Your Vents
Check that your vents (both supply and return) are open and not blocked. Move furniture away from any vents so air can easily pass through. Don’t close more than 2-3 supply vents. While you may think you are saving money by cooling less area of your home, you could be restricting air flow too much and potentially cause your air conditioning system to freeze up.
What to Do When Your AC Unit Freezes Up Summer?
Turn off your AC unit at the electrical breaker and let the ice thaw. Be advised, it could take a whole day for the ice to completely thaw. Pick a day when you plan to spend time elsewhere, just be mindful of any pets in the house and the forecast. If a day’s rest is impractical, turn the AC off but leave the blower running.
Make every effort to avoid using the AC while the evaporator coils are frozen. Running the AC with frozen coils strains the AC compressor.
The AC compressor is the most expensive component in your air conditioning unit. The strain may damage this valuable part and set you up for an unplanned expense.
Finally, NEVER break up the ice with a heavy object or sharp tool. This easily damages components and creates new problems.
We are Here To Help 27/7
In conclusion, repairing broken air conditioners is not exactly rocket science. However, it is always a good idea to work with professionals to ensure high-quality and consistent results without the risk of injury or further damage to the device. You can also contact us for A / C service in Edmonton to keep your system running at peak performance on hot days. If you really want to get your hands dirty, you can contribute to the process by working to identify faulty systems. The guidelines provided should help you get a pretty good idea of where to start. Tips for finding good repair businesses should also ensure that you get into the most qualified hands and get results worth every penny invested. We also provide air conditioning installation if it is determined that a new system is required. Call us at (825)343-6222
