Why is my AC Freezing?

Jul 1, 2020 | Air Conditioner, Blog, HVAC

Is your air conditioner freezing up?

There are a variety of reasons why a homeowner’s A/C system could begin to freeze up. To help you understand some of the more common reasons this might be happening, we at Delaware Heating & Air present the following.

REASONS YOUR AIR CONDITIONER MIGHT BE FREEZING IN YOUR DELAWARE, OHIO, AREA HOME

All air conditioners need proper airflow to keep their cooling coils warm. Because of this, at times the flow of air (or the lack of it) is the reason this could be happening. As such, warmed air from a home is required for the coil to remain the right temperature above the freezing point. Without this warm air, coils can freeze up before the condensed water is able to drain out of the unit. Because dirty air filters and closed-off air registers limit the flow of air, it’s always a good idea to start investigating this problem by checking the air filter and guaranteeing the registers are clear and that they’re opened. If this is the problem, it’s an easy fix. Just open the registers or get a new air filter. Air filters need to be replaced regularly anyway, so even if it’s not the source of the problem, you should be checking it and changing it frequently regardless.

That being said, freeze-ups could also be a result of low refrigerant levels, or the fan might not be functioning properly. Normally, low refrigerant levels make the coils too cold, and a faulty fan prevents air from proper flow.

If these aren’t the problem, you should check your thermostat. Defective thermostats and drainage problems are another common cause of freeze-ups. Throughout the natural cooling process, an A/C unit compresses water vapor into a liquid and it drains this liquid outside. If the coils are frozen, the ice will create a barrier in the drainage opening. If this is happening, the air conditioner will still function. However, it will not cool the home as it should and it will waste a lot more electricity than normal, costing you more in energy. If you have an air conditioner in a window, you can use a household hair-dryer to thaw out the coil. It’s also a good idea to check the drain pipe for potential blockages like debris and twigs. Be mindful that running an air conditioner with frozen coils can cause some serious damage to its compressor. Because the compressor is the most expensive component of an air conditioner, it’s not a fun repair or replacement to make. If you find yourself unable to correct a frozen coil issue yourself, it is always wise to get a certified technician for the task.

HVAC Service You Can Depend On

At Delaware Heating & Air, our trusted certified professionals do all types of HVAC repairs and installations for business owners and homeowners. Taking care of an A/C freeze-up is no exception! We understand that the summers here in Ohio can get quite hot and miserable. As such, we always respond promptly to all HVAC repairs and A/C repairs in the greater Dayton area. Our customers realize they can call us any time and any day. With our round-the-clock emergency HVAC repair service, we are always a quick and easy phone call away, ready to repair any A/C problems you might encounter. Your comfort and satisfaction as a valued customer is our highest priority.

We dispatch top-notch technicians to all of our service calls. They are both factory-trained and NATE certified, outfitted with cutting-edge tools for troubleshooting, diagnosing, and performing repairs on the spot. You’ll have peace of mind when we’re done, too, because we put a 100 percent guarantee on all of our repairs. For more information, call Delaware Heating & Air today at 740-227-8302, or schedule an appointment online now at https://www.delawareairandheat.com/schedule-now/