How To Fix Your Air Conditioner Freeze Up
It seems ironic that during the hottest days of summer, your AC unit is literally frozen! I’ve heard the questions many times…”Why is my air conditioner freezing, and how can I fix this frozen AC unit?” First the why:
AC units need proper air flow to keep the “cold coil” warm enough to function. Warm air from your house is helps the coil remain cold, and keeps the core temperature above freezing. Otherwise the coil freezes before the condensed water can be drained away from your AC unit. An air conditioner freeze up can also be caused by low levels of refrigerant or a broken fan. Low refrigerant levels make the coils way too cold while a broken fan keeps air from circulating properly.
During the cooling process, your air conditioner condenses water vapor into liquid and then later drains it. If the coils are frozen, the ice will cause a blockage for the drain hole. The bad part is that although your AC is still running, it isn’t properly cooling your house despite using alot more electricity. Bad for your wallet, and for the environment : (
If it’s an outdoor unit, you can try watering it with a hose for about 15 minutes. If you have a window unit, you can use a blow dryer to unfreeze your coil. Keep in mind that running an air conditioner with frozen coils can lead to extensive damage to your compressor – and this is where the big bucks can come in. When this goes, your whole system is shot and you are looking at a big, big bill. If you’re unable to fix the frozen coil problem yourself, get professional air conditioning repairs done early. It’ll save you in the long run.
We’ve been lucky so far that the summer hasn’t been too hot – but that may all change soon! Before the hottest days are upon us, it’s best to get small problems addressed. Call us anytime at 573-449-7050, we’ll be glad to help with your AC freeze up (or any other HVAC issue that you’re having!)