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Why Is My Air Conditioner Freezing Up?
When the heat of summer sets in, you dream of evenings resting in the cool respite of your air-conditioned home.
You fantasize that moment when you drive home from your commute, pull into the driveway and open the door to feel the blast of cold air waiting for you.
Anticipation transforms into disappointment almost immediately when warm air greets you.
The stagnant air leads you to your air conditioner, and you immediately see the problem.
Your air conditioner freezes up.
Angry thoughts and a single question fill your mind: why is my air conditioner freezing up?
Why Is My Air Conditioner Freezing Up?
You will know your air conditioner has frozen up when it stops blowing cold air.
It may begin to blow warm air, or it may just stop blowing a good quantity of air but rather just a gentle puff every once in a while.
A frozen air conditioner might look cold, but it does not lead to the high air quality you want.
An air conditioner freezes up for one of several reasons.
Air filter problems, a dirty unit, low coolant, and an airflow obstruction will all lead you to call an AC repair company.
Before you make that call, make sure you can’t solve the problem all on your own.
When you recognize the unit has frozen up, turn everything off immediately.
Turn off the HVAC unit via your thermostat, and give the lines and unit a chance to thaw out.
Have towels nearby since you’ll most likely end up with a puddle around the offending parts.
Then assess the situation and determine what the problem is.
Air Filter Problems
You should change your furnace air filter every 90 days.
In the summer months when you’re running your air conditioner for most of the day and into the evening, you may need a filter change even more often.
Failing to change your filter will result in a clogged filter and ultimately a frozen air conditioner.
The HVAC system will have to work harder to push air through the dirty filter, and as a result, it can freeze up.
Your unit may also be freezing up if you put in the wrong filter or if you put your filter in backward.
Many a homeowner has called in an HVAC expert to discover that they just needed to put their filter correctly.
The frequency of your filter change depends on a variety of environmental and personal factors.
For example, you will need to change your filter more often than every 90 days if you have one of these conditions:
- A high-pollen count in your environment
- A family member who smokes living in the house
- A filter that requires frequent changes
- The presence of pets in the home
- A household member diagnosed with allergies, COPD, congestive heart conditions, or asthma
Furthermore, if you’re running your system often, such as in the summer, you will need to change the filter frequently.
Plan on changing the filter every 30 days to avoid a clogged filter and frozen air conditioner.
Dirty AC Unit
A dirty evaporator coil and a dirty outside unit will cause your air conditioner to freeze up.
The evaporator coils can attract hair, grime, and dust, forming a clog and preventing the coil from doing its job.
Moisture trapped inside the clog will freeze and restrict airflow.
As a result, your entire air conditioner unit will freeze up and quit.
To prevent this problem, clean the coil and the outside unit regularly.
Use a vacuum to suck out dust and debris, and then hose off the outside unit before you start it up in the spring when temperatures start to rise.
If your unit is currently frozen, do not attempt to just thaw out the coil and unclog it yourself.
Call in a professional HVAC service to service the unit.
Low Coolant
Refrigerant plays an essential role in regulating the temperature of your air conditioner unit.
If you have too low of a refrigerant level, the unit will freeze up.
Coolant does not just simply run out.
It’s not fuel.
If you have low coolant, you probably have a coolant leak.
At this point, you need to call in an air conditioner specialist and have them find the leak, repair it, and refill your coolant.
You cannot handle refrigerants on your own.
They are toxic.
Also, schedule annual maintenance for your HVAC unit.
The contractor will perform a thorough inspection that should catch any leaks and low coolant levels.
Airflow Obstruction
To keep humidity from settling on coils and freezing, you need a constant flow of air in an air conditioner.
Blocked vents and registers will prevent the necessary airflow, and this can cause an air conditioner to freeze up.
Maintaining airflow also goes back to have a clean air filter.
Experts claim that you can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by as much as 15 percent just by replacing a dirty filter.
You can also keep your air conditioner running.
By keeping furniture away from your registers and keeping your filters clean, you can avoid the airflow obstruction that freezes up your AC.
Stay Cool, Not Frozen
The next time you ask, “why is my air conditioner freezing up?” you know where to begin.
Check your vents and registers, change your filter, and call an expert to assess your coolant levels.
These simple steps will keep your AC running night and day, and you no longer have to worry about coming home to tepid, stagnant air.
Is your HVAC unit acting up?
Do you need to schedule regular maintenance?
Contact us for all of your Southeast Phoenix HVAC needs.
Our highly experienced HVAC contractors provide solutions such as heating and air conditioning installation, troubleshooting, preventative maintenance, and repair.
Our professionals will help you get your house back to the cool paradise you want.
Are you looking for the best AC repair in Apache Junction or other nearby valley locations? Contact your 5-star, emergency HVAC experts at Mark Daniels Air Conditioning & Heating. We’ve been serving the Valley Since 1996. Call (480) 571-7219 or request service online today!
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