Picture this: It’s 100-degree Fahrenheit outside, and you have started to feel the heat in your home. So, you turn on your air conditioner, but you aren’t hearing any sound coming from the air conditioner. To check what’s the problem, you go to the condenser of the air conditioner, and you notice that it’s iced over.
If you don’t fix this quickly, you’ll have to pay heavy repair fees while other parts of your air conditioner get damaged.
In this article, I’ll talk about the reasons behind the air conditioner freeze up problem, but before that, I’ll tell you about how to know whether your air conditioner is frozen or in perfect condition to function properly.
Do I have an Air Conditioner Freeze Up Problem?
Check the supply registers of your air conditioner. If the air conditioner supply register is hot then there is a high chance that you have a frozen evaporator coil.
Now, open the panel of your air conditioner and check whether it has ice or not. If you see ice in the panel, it’s guaranteed that your air conditioner is frozen.
Top 3 Reasons behind Air Conditioner Freeze Up
1. Low Air Flow
An air conditioner needs constant airflow to produce your desired temperature. Besides, constant airflow prevents humidity from settling on the evaporator coil and freeze. There can be a number of reasons behind air conditioner low airflow, such as – dirty air filter, clogged air ducts, etc.
When you have a dirty air filter, dust and debris start to accumulate in your HVAC system. These dust and debris block the airflow and allows humidity to settle on the evaporator coil. As a result, your air conditioner freezes up.
To fix this problem, you’ll have to replace your air conditioner air filter regularly. Air conditioner air filters are cheap, and if you change them regularly, you won’t have to face heavy repair fees. According to the US Department of Energy, regular air conditioner air filter change can increase your air conditioner’s efficiency by 10 to 15%.
If you find out that your air conditioner is frozen because of the dirty air filter, you’ll have to defrost your air conditioner first. For that, you’ll have to turn off your air conditioner. This defrosting process can take up to 3-4 hours. During this defrosting process, change the air conditioner air filter.
Again, if you find out that the air ducts of your air conditioner are clogged, you’ll have to call an HVAC professional to clean the air ducts.
2. Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerant plays a key role in providing cool air in your space. It absorbs the heat from your space and releases the heat to the outside condenser unit. This way, your air conditioner cools your home. But due to mechanical problems, your air conditioner can start leaking refrigerant.
There can be a number of reasons behind air conditioner refrigerant leak, such as- clogged air filter, faulty fan motor, leakage in the refrigerant line, etc. If any of these problems occur, your air conditioner’s internal pressure will fall, which will result in a refrigerant leak. However, some of these problems are easier and cheaper to fix. But if your air conditioner has a coolant leak then you should consider replacing your air conditioner.
If you’re facing a refrigerant leak problem, you should take help from an HVAC professional. An HVAC professional knows how to deal with refrigerants. Refrigerant is toxic, and you’ll need special skills to handle refrigerants. However, refrigerants are safe to use in homes, but you should leave it for an HVAC professional. When it comes to refrigerant leak repairs, you should avoid DIY repairs.
3. Chilly Summer Nights
Summer nights are usually cold, and if you continue using the same temperature 24/7, it’ll freeze up your air conditioner.
The best way to solve this problem is by installing a smart thermostat in your air conditioner. A smart thermostat measures the outside temperature and set the temperature accordingly. As a result, you won’t have any air conditioner freeze up problem.
Again, a smart thermostat gives a futuristic look to your house. With a smart thermostat, you can control the temperature remotely. Besides, you can schedule your air conditioner thermostat according to your daily routine.
Curious about the smart thermostat? Click here.
See the summary of this content here in an infographic – 3 Reasons behind AC Freeze up [Infographic]
By the way, are you looking for an HVAC system for your home?
Check out Green Leaf Air Store where we have a wide range of residential & commercial HVAC system including: –
Complete Goodman HVAC System – Complete Trane HVAC system – Heat Pumps – Air Handlers – Gas Furnaces
Besides, for any Air Duct Cleaning, AC installation, AC replacement and AC repair services, call Green Leaf Air to ensure you get the best quotes and satisfying service.
