Simple Steps for Fixing a Frozen Air Conditioner

Does the air coming from your supply registers abruptly seem hot? Inspect the indoor part of your air conditioner. This piece is situated inside your furnace or air handler, if you have a heat pump. If there’s water seeping onto the floor, there could be frost on the evaporator coil. The AC coil in the equipment might have frosted over. You’ll need to thaw it before it can cool your house again.

Here’s the things you should do. If you can’t get the coil frost-free, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is here to support you with air conditioning repair in the U.S. upheld by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.*

Step 1: Switch the Air Conditioning Off and the Blower On

To get started—switch the thermostat from “cool” to “off.” This prevents chilly refrigerant from flowing to the outdoor compressor, which could hurt it and cause a pricey repair.

Next, adjust the fan from “auto” to “on.” This makes warm airflow over the crystallized coils to make them defrost faster. Remember to set the cooling mode to “off” so the air conditioner doesn’t trigger a cooling cycle.

It might take less than an hour or the better part of a day for the ice to defrost, depending on the extent of the accumulation. While you’re waiting, keep an eye on the condensate pan below the AC unit. If the drain line is obstructed, it could cause a mess as the ice melts, potentially resulting in water damage.

Step 2: Troubleshoot the Situation

Insufficient airflow is a prime cause for an AC to become frozen. Here’s how to get to the bottom of the problem:

• • Exmaine the filter. Poor airflow through a dusty filter could be the problem. Look at and replace the filter once a month or immediately when you notice a layer of dust.

• • Open any sealed supply vents. Your house’s supply registers should remain open all the time. Sealing vents limits airflow over the evaporator coil, which might lead it to freeze.

• • Be on the lookout for blocked return vents. These usually don’t come with adjustable louvers, but furniture, rugs or curtains can still obstruct them.

• • Low refrigerant: While airflow restrictions are the most typical cause, your air conditioning might also have insufficient refrigerant. Depending on its age, it may have Freon®. Low refrigerant calls for pro attention from a certified HVAC technician. H2: Step 3: Get in Touch with an HVAC Professional at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing

If low airflow doesn’t feel like the problem, then something else is making your AC frost over. If this is the case, just letting it melt won’t take care of the trouble. The evaporator coil will probably freeze again unless you repair the main cause. Get in touch with an HVAC specialist to look for issues with your air conditioner, which could include:

• • Refrigerant leak: AC units recycle refrigerant, so it shouldn’t get used up. Insufficient refrigerant signals a leak somewhere. Only a specialist can pinpoint the leak, fix it, and recharge the air conditioner to the appropriate amount.

• • Filthy evaporator coil: If grime accumulates on the coil, air can’t reach it, and it’s liable to freeze.

• • Malfunctioning blower: A defective motor or unbalanced fan could prevent airflow over the evaporator coil.

If your AC freezes up, get in touch with the ACE-certified Experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to fix the issue. We have lots of experience helping homeowners check their air conditioners, and we’re confident we can get things working again quickly. Contact us at 866-397-3787 to get air conditioning repair in the U.S. with us now.