It can be really frustrating when you walk outside to see that your a/c unit has turned into a mini iceberg. You might be wondering; Will it ever recover? We are here to tell you that this situation might not be as drastic as it may seem. It most likely isn’t the death of your a/c unit.
Why is My Air Conditioner Frozen?
A Frozen Outdoor Unit Can Be Due To A Few Things:
- Refrigerant problems
A refrigerant leak or a low level of refrigerant can cause a pressure drop inside the air conditioner’s evaporator coil outside. This will allow enough moisture in the air to make your a/c coil freeze over.
- Running the AC when it’s not hot enough outside.
The A/C outdoor unit is most likely not built to function in temperatures below 60°F. If temperatures dropped overnight and your air conditioner was still running, this might be what caused your little igloo of an air conditioner.
- Airflow issues, or a clogged filter.
When airflow is restricted it can cause the temperature within the evaporator coil to drop below freezing. This, in combination with humidity in the air settling on the coil, it will form an ice build up. Sometimes this is due to the issues with your ductwork, or parts malfunctioning, but sometimes it is as simple as a clogged air filter.
What To Do:
Turn the unit off
You are going to want to turn the unit off so that it can begin defrosting, a process that can take up to a day for a severe situation. If your thermostat provides power to the system you can turn the unit off by the thermostat but leave the fan on in efforts to speed up the thawing process. Turning off the a/c is also for your safety while you are checking a few things that we will mention next.
Check the airflow
Check to see if it was caused by insufficient airflow. First, clean or replace the filter if it appears dirty, this could be the simple fix that was needed. Next, inspect your vents. Be sure that there isn’t anything blocking and restricting airflow. Check every room for shut vents. Having some vents shut is okay, but too many of them can mess with the airflow and cause a frozen a/c. Open them all up prior to turning the air conditioner back on.
Turn the AC back on
Turn the air conditioner back on and run it as normal. Keep an eye on it throughout the day to see if new ice formations begin. If it is icing up again, turn it back off with the fan on so it can begin to melt while you wait for a professional HVAC technician to take a look at it.
Call The Professionals
If you’ve already inspected the filter and ensured there are no airflow blockages, and the issue persists, it’s advisable to contact a reliable HVAC company. The issue can be due to a failing part or a refrigerant leak. Identifying these kinds of issues can be complex, so it’s best to hire a professional with the right tools to diagnose and fix the problem.
If your AC is frozen over, give us a call! Our experienced technicians specialize in diagnosing and resolving AC problems swiftly and effectively. Whether it’s low refrigerant levels, restricted airflow, or any other issue causing your unit to freeze, we have the expertise and tools to get your system back up and running efficiently.
Don’t let a frozen AC unit disrupt your comfort any longer – contact Bucks County Fuel & HVAC today for reliable service and peace of mind. – 215-245-0807