How to Fix a Frozen Air Conditioner
Summer’s coming (as hard as it is to believe right now) and here’s an often cited scenario with the average homeowner: They’re at home, minding their own business, having a bowl of popcorn and watching Netflix, when all of a sudden — that distant dreadful sound: drip… drip… drip. They look over to see the household pet licking at a puddle that’s steadily forming on the dining room floor. Suddenly: Anxiety, stress, and that feeling. What caused the leak?; water heater, leaky toilet, shower, faucet? Not necessarily — the air conditioning equipment may be frozen. This can occur anywhere, from the U.S. to Timbuktu, regardless of summer heat.
Why Air Conditioners Freeze
When a central air conditioner freezes up, what actually freezes is the condenser unit's evaporator coil. This component of the air conditioner transfers (evaporates) heat from the inside to the outside of your the U.S. area home. Usually there are two factors why the evaporator coil may freeze:
- The restriction of the system's airflow
- Low refrigerant
Either way, the outcome is that the air conditioner’s evaporator coil will be unable to properly transfer heat, and in essence ‘overcools’ itself. The net effect of this super-cooling is condensation (that’s water formation), and over time ice forms from that condensation as it cools below the freezing point. In other words, the A/C transformed into an old-school icebox.
What Might You Do When Your A/C Freezes?
- Turn the unit completely off at the thermostat, and don't try to thaw the system by increasing the temperature at the thermostat. Ensure the A/C system is completely OFF.
- Check to ensure that the airflow around your system is unrestricted. Replace the furnace or air handler’s filter and replace any return air filters. Open all the registers completely and verify that they are not impeded by furniture or curtains.
- Call Service Experts. The air conditioning system needs to be serviced by a professional that is ACE-certified to ensure there are no refrigerant leaks or damage to the equipment. Simply schedule a Performance Inspection or Repair Diagnostic online, or call to talk to a live person right away.
What Does it Cost to Repair?
This can become a pricey repair. When your AC ices over it can lead to damage to the compressor. Replacing your compressor could easily cost as much as a down payment on a high efficiency model. In fact, many homeowners are forced to decide between installing a new system and repairing the damaged one. If you follow the steps above and quickly call an ACE-certified technician, you have better odds of having a less expensive emergency.
Your technician will diagnose the situation and how to avoid the issue from repeating in the future. If a leak is present (and that is rare, but possible), the leak has to be repaired or the unit will most likely freeze again.
