Quick Steps to Repair a Frozen Air Conditioner
Does the air coming from your supply registers abruptly feel hot? Check the indoor part of your air conditioner. This piece is located within your furnace or air handler, if you have a heat pump. If there’s water leaking onto the floor, there could be ice on the evaporator coil. The AC coil within the equipment might have frosted over. You’ll need to defrost it before it can cool your home again.
Here’s the steps you should take. If you can’t get the coil frost-free, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is here to support you with air conditioning repair in the U.S. upheld by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.*
Step 1: Switch the Air Conditioning Off and the Blower On
To get started—set the thermostat from “cool” to “off.” This prevents chilled refrigerant from going to the outdoor compressor, which could hurt it and result in a costly repair.
Then, move the fan from “auto” to “on.” This makes heated airflow over the crystallized coils to make them defrost faster. Make sure to set the cooling mode to “off” so the air conditioner doesn’t start a cooling cycle.
It could take under an hour or most of the day for the ice to defrost, depending on the level of the ice. While you’re waiting, check the condensate pan underneath the AC unit. If the drain line is obstructed, it could cause a mess as the ice melts, potentially creating water damage.
Step 2: Troubleshoot the Situation
Insufficient airflow is a leading reason for an AC to freeze up. Here’s how to troubleshoot the issue:
- Look at the filter. Low airflow through a clogged filter could be the problem. Check and change the filter each month or once you see dust accumulation.
- Open any shut supply vents. Your house’s supply registers should stay open always. Sealing vents decreases airflow over the evaporator coil, which might lead it to freeze.
- Check for obstructed return vents. These often don’t have shiftable louvers, but furniture, rugs or curtains can still cover them.
- Low refrigerant: While airflow restrictions are the most common culprit, your air conditioner could also be low on refrigerant. Depending on when it was installed, it may have Freon®. Not enough refrigerant necessitates pro attention from a certified HVAC technician. H2: Step 3: Call an HVAC Technician at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing
If poor airflow doesn’t seem to be the problem, then another problem is making your AC freeze up. If this is what’s happening, just defrosting it won’t repair the issue. The evaporator coil will probably freeze again unless you repair the underlying symptom. Get in touch with an HVAC technician to check for issues with your air conditioner, which could include:
- Refrigerant leak: AC units continuously use refrigerant, so it shouldn’t run low. Insufficient refrigerant is a sign of a leak somewhere. Only a technician can locate the leak, mend it, and recharge the air conditioning to the appropriate level.
- Dirty evaporator coil: If dirt builds up on the coil, air can’t flow over it, and it’s liable to freeze.
- Nonfunctional blower: A bad motor or unbalanced fan might halt airflow over the evaporator coil.
If your AC freezes up, call on the ACE-certified techs at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to fix the issue. We have lots of experience helping homeowners troubleshoot their air conditioners, and we’re sure we can get things running again in no time. Contact us at 866-397-3787 to get air conditioning repair in the U.S. with us right away.