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Why Is My Air Conditioner Freezing up [Troubleshooting Tips]
It’s the middle of the summer . . . and your air conditioner is covered in ice.
Needless to say, you’re baffled.
Why is my air conditioner freezing up in this manner?
You might be surprised to learn that this is a common problem.
Wondering what causes it? Curious as to how to fix this?
Then read on!
Why Is My Air Conditioner Freezing Up?
Air conditioners can freeze up for a variety of different reasons.
Some of the most common reasons for an ice-covered air conditioner include the following.
You Haven’t Changed Your Air Filter In Eons
One of the most common reasons for a frozen air conditioner is that you haven’t changed your HVAC air filter in eons (ie. a long, long time).
How does this cause your air conditioner to freeze up?
It’s all about the way that it blocks the flow of air.
See, warm air must continuously enter your AC’s evaporator coils so that the refrigerant within your AC can be transformed into warm gas.
If warm air doesn’t continuously enter these coils, the refrigerant will instead freeze, causing ice to form either on the evaporator coils or within the condensate line.
If you’re not doing it already, you should be changing your HVAC air filter every 2 to 3 months.
This will allow for optimal airflow into the AC system, thus keeping the risk of freezing to a minimum.
Your Condensate Line Is Clogged
Another reason for a freezing-up air conditioner is a clogged condensate line.
This line is meant to catch condensation that drips off of the evaporator coils.
It filters the condensation out so that it doesn’t back up into the AC system.
Unfortunately, over time, the condensate line can become clogged with miscellaneous residue.
When this occurs, the condensation does, indeed, back up.
At some point, it becomes backed up to the extent that it rests right next to the evaporator coils.
Because the evaporator coils are cold, they cause the condensation to freeze.
Naturally, this causes ice to form.
This is why, every year or so, you need to take measures to clean the condensate line.
Generally speaking, you can do this by simply pouring a cup of bleach down the line.
If that doesn’t work, give a call to your local air conditioner repair company.
Your Evaporator Coils Are Dirty
An extremely common cause of a frozen air conditioner is dirty evaporator coils.
Over time, these coils will become covered in residue.
If this residue isn’t cleaned off from time to time, it will block the inward flow of warm air, thus preventing refrigerant from transforming into warm gas.
When the refrigerant doesn’t transform into warm gas, it instead transforms into a cold liquid.
This liquid causes ice to form, thus resulting in freezing.
To clean your evaporator coils, you can simply cover them in a specialized coil cleaner and then scrub off the existing residue.
Of course, your HVAC specialist can help you with this task as well.
Your AC’s Blower Fan Is Damaged
The problem could also rest on a damaged blower fan.
The blower fan is responsible for pushing warm air into the evaporator coils.
If it’s not pushing enough air on a consistent basis, the coils will eventually freeze up.
This isn’t a problem that you’re going to be able to fix yourself.
If you stumble across it, immediately call your AC repair technician.
Your AC Is Leaking Refrigerant
The last reason that your AC might be freezing up is that it’s leaking refrigerant.
This can occur if its refrigerant line is pierced, in which case, the line would need to be patched up and reinsulated.
Now, why do reduced refrigerant levels cause the AC to freeze up?
It’s because, when refrigerant levels are low, the system isn’t able to form enough warm gas.
As such, the coils get too cold and cause the condensate to freeze up.
Fortunately, it’s fairly easy to add fresh refrigerant.
If you need help, your AC repair technician can assist you.
Air Conditioning Tips for Combatting Freezing
Now that you know the causes of air conditioner freeze-ups, you can take action to combat them.
Some tips for doing so include the following:
Turn the Fan On from Time to Time
Our first tip is to turn the AC fan on from time to time, without the use of air conditioning.
Go to your thermostat and literally switch it over to the fan setting.
This will push warm air through your AC, helping to thaw out any existing ice.
Do this once a week or so for a few hours every time.
It will help keep ice accumulation at bay, and, more or less, prevent the problem of freeze-ups.
Change the Air Filter
We already noted this above but we’re going to say it again: you need to change your HVAC system’s air filter.
Ideally, you’ll change it every 2 to 3 months.
If you have pets in your home (and thus fur), you might even want to make a change once monthly.
Ensure That the Vents Aren’t Blocked
Our last tip is to ensure that your vents aren’t blocked.
If they are, they can disturb the airflow.
This can impair the air exchange process throughout the air conditioner, resulting in freezing.
Each vent should have around 6 inches of clearance.
This amount of space allows air to flow freely, providing optimal performance.
Need Air Conditioning Repair in Gilbert AZ?
Now that you have an answer to “why is my air conditioner freezing up?”, you might see that you need air conditioning repair in Gilbert, AZ.
If so, you needn’t look any further than Mark Daniels Air Conditioning & Heating.
We’re well-versed in both air conditioning repair and air conditioning maintenance.
Using our wealth of experience and expertise, we’ll ensure that your AC is running as intended.
Contact us now to schedule an appointment!
Are you wondering, “Why is my air conditioner freezing up?” We can help you figure it out! Call Mark Daniels Air Conditioning & Heating to work with a top air conditioning repair company in Chandler AZ. We’ve been serving the Valley Since 1996. Call (480) 571-7219 or request service online today!
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