Is your air conditioner freezing up? It can be surprising to see a chunk of ice sitting on your outdoor AC system, especially in the center of summer. But from time to time you can’t even see the ice on the exterior of the unit. While you may additionally think something like this at some point of the most up to date days of the 12 months is impossible, an air conditioning unit freezing in the summer is something that occurs frequently. If you concern you’re experiencing a frozen air conditioner, proceed studying to hear what causes it, what to do if you’re experiencing a frozen AC system, and how you can prevent or hold something like this from taking place again.

What Causes an Air Conditioner to Freeze?

To understand how an AC unit can start freezing up, you first need to apprehend the basics of how central air conditioning systems work. And it all starts off evolved with your evaporator coils.

This key air conditioning aspect is full of extraordinarily bloodless refrigerant. When the coils are activated, the refrigerant will want warm air to blow throughout them. This cools your air and keeps the coils at a warm sufficient temperature that they do now not freeze. The indoor coil removes heat from the interior air, and then will switch it using the refrigerant to the out-of-doors coil which pushes the heat to the outside. The gadget is definitely pulling warmness from your indoor air and transferring the more warmness outside. This is why if you ever put your hand over the fan going for walks on your outside unit the air feels incredibly hot.

However, if something in the air conditioner malfunctions, the total machine receives disrupted. If something prohibits the warm air from blowing over the coils, these motives the evaporator coil to allow the refrigerant to cool too much, inflicting it to fall below freezing and ice over. Or if the refrigerant strain is incorrect inner the coils, then your system’s coils can turn out to be too bloodless and can rapidly freeze up. And that can go away you with a frozen AC.

What To Do if You Find Ice on your Outdoor AC Unit

If you trust you are experiencing a frozen outdoor AC, there are some simple steps you can take in order to get matters back up and walking again.

Step 1) Thaw

Make each and every effort to keep away from the usage of the AC whilst the evaporator coils are frozen. Running the AC with frozen coils strains the AC compressor. Go to your electrical breaker and turn off the electricity to your AC unit. This will maintain the gadget from freezing up even extra and start to let the ice thaw. The AC compressor is the most high-priced factor in your air conditioning unit. The pressure may want to injury this highly treasured phase and set you up for an expensive air conditioning repair service call.

Even if it’s blistering warm outside, it could take a total day for the ice to absolutely thaw away. Don’t be tempted to damage up the ice with a heavy object or sharp tool. This without problems damages factors so a lot so you’ll want to change a couple of parts, which can add up financially, or worse be forced to substitute the machine altogether.

Step 2) Dry

Once the ice is totally melted away, you want to dry the evaporator coils. You can use some paper towels, or let the components dry out in the sun if in direct sunlight. Restore the strength to your gadget and turn the blower on. Run interior and set your thermostat to solely run the blower or fan, relying on the mannequin of the thermostat you have. This circulates air round and via the coils to dry them quickly. Once the coils are dried thoroughly, your system should resume working normally.

Now that you understand what to do if you ever encounter a frozen air conditioner, let’s speak about how you can keep this from happening.

How to Prevent a Frozen Air Conditioning System
It’s vital to apprehend this is preventable. Take these measures to keep your HVAC device from freezing over.

Change Your Air Filter

The main cause of a frozen HVAC system is a dirty air filter. The air filter cleans the air circulated into your home. As your AC device runs in the course of the summer, the filter catches dirt, pollen, dust, and other allergens. This can prevent airflow and ought to lead the HVAC coils to freeze. Typically, we endorse you take a look at your filter monthly. Change it as needed. For most folks, this is one to each three months. Filter changes range primarily based on factors, such as:
The type of filter you have
If you have kids or pets in the home
If you stay in a high-pollen rely on area
Whether a smoker lives in the home
If any person with asthma, allergies, COPD or congestive coronary heart conditions lives in the home
Schedule Regular Maintenance
It is just correct practice to have an annual air conditioning renovation service call. The expert HVAC technicians at ARS/Rescue Rooter make sure all the following are checked and cleared for your gadget to run true for the summer ahead:
Inspect coolant ranges and stress to make sure your device runs at peak efficiency
Calibrate thermostat(s) and take a look at appropriate cycle and temperature to improve remedy and control
Inspect and tighten wiring, contacts, capacitors and relays to keep away from expensive repairs
  • Ensure the evaporator coil is clean
  • Ensure the condensate drain is clear
  • Inspect and easy the condenser
  • Inspect the outside disconnect switch
  • Inspect the condenser fan motor and blades; lubricate if needed
  • Check compressor amps at startup
  • Carry out additional safety and efficiency checks
It’s also protected to avoid managing coolant chemical compounds seeing that they can be toxic. Leave it to our technicians and keep your self away from handling them if possible.

Have an HVAC Airflow Inspection

Obstructed airflow can preserve the coils from proper cooling and lead to a frozen AC unit. Similar to a clogged filter, blocked vent returns and registers stop adequate airflow to and from the system. This reasons your device to work harder besides a way to release the cooled or heated air. Another exact exercise is to stroll round your home and take a look at that indoor air vents and registers are clear from any obstructions. If you fear you’re experiencing susceptible airflow through your vents, your ductwork may additionally be to blame. In some cases, the ductwork is installed properly however the incorrect dimension for your house or the capacity. Or there’s a duct leak or a section of ductwork has collapsed someplace inside your walls.

Clean Evaporator Coils

The condensate strains drain extra moisture from your HVAC system. If there’s a clog in the line, the water becomes caught and the extra water freezes. And that frozen water in your traces should go away you with frozen HVAC coils too. These motives your system to war or not work at all.

Check the Forecast

Are summer temperatures anticipated to drop at night? An excellent rule to have in mind is when the outside air temperatures dip, you turn your air conditioner off. Icing can show up if you’re going for walks your outdoor AC on cooler nights. A exclusive ambient temperature control hooked up can assist stop your unit from walking in cooler weather.

A Frozen AC is Avoidable

While it can be irritating to locate a frozen AC machine as a homeowner, the troubles that cause this are preventable. It’s necessary to not overlook ordinary preservation and tune-ups on your air conditioner every year. Hiring an expert HVAC service team, like ARS/Rescue Rooter, or taking benefit of maintenance service plans, can assist hold your system running strong all 12 months long and keep you money.
Find our nearest location to timetable service online or over the phone. We’re standing through for any emergency air conditioning service -- such as a freezing AC unit.

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