Residential Air – What Causes an Air Conditioner to Freeze Up?
If your air conditioner is freezing, you will see frost buildup on the outdoor unit. Sometimes, the accumulation of frost can form an ice block, but the good news is that solving it is quite simple. The first thing you should do to fix your frozen air conditioner is to turn off the system. In other cases, you might even have to turn the thermostat to accelerate the thawing. Here are the common reasons that might cause your air conditioner to freeze up.
Dirty air filters
A dirty filter is the primary cause of low airflow and added stress on the AC compressor and other components. Low airflow will deliver less air to the AC evaporator coil. To prevent this coil from freezing, you need an adequate flow of hot and humid air. Clean your filter every month to prevent your air conditioner from freezing up.
Low refrigerant levels
The evaporator coil of your AC unit can become too cold if the refrigerant levels are too low. Contact an HVAC service to fix any leaks that might be causing the problem and charge the unit according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Poor airflow
If an air conditioner is not getting sufficient air, it’ll not have enough heat to prevent the coil condensation from turning into a block of ice. Inspect all the air vents in your home for air leakages from the sides of your grates. Also, look for closed dampers, blocked ducts, and blocked or closed grates to know the cause of the problem.
Insufficient fan speed
The fan of your air conditioner should blow fast enough to help keep the right amount of air moving over the unit’s evaporator coil. A HVAC professional can increase the fan’s speed and eliminate what is causing your AC unit to freeze.
Conclusion
If you manage to identify why your AC unit is freezing early enough, you might be able to solve the issue yourself. However, if the air conditioner is freezing due to water damage or dirty coils, you can contact Residential Air in Loomis or schedule your appointment online. Our crew of experienced technicians offers efficient and fast AC repairs when your unit is freezing up.