Why Is My Air Conditioner Frozen?
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| Frozen unit at one of our customer's rooftop unit (taken 6/12/2013) |
Here is an all too common problem we face in the heating and air conditioning industry; a customer will call our office with a service call. When we get out there we see an all too common problem. Their air conditioner has frozen up. Perhaps this has happened to you before, as well.
After telling the customer what the problem is, 9 times out of 10, the customer asks: “What caused my central air conditioning to freeze up?”
There are three main reasons why it could be freezing up:
If there is a lack of airflow to your central air conditioning unit, you run the risk of severely damaging your entire system. When there is a lack of air flow, warm air moves through the return ducts. The air passes over an extremely cold refridgerant coil to "drop off" its heat. When air comes in contact with this coil, the moisture in the air condenses. Normally, the water will exit through the system's drain line, but if air flow is constricted, the water can not move down the drain line. With no place to go, the water will freeze to the evaporator coil. The simplest way to fix this problem, is to turn off the unit for 24 hours and check your filters. If they are dirty, clean or even better yet, replace them. When you turn your air conditioner back on, and there is no more ice forming, then you have solved your problem.
2) Refrigerant leaks
Air conditioners have to have a particularly balance level of refrigerant to keep the system running smoothly and efficiently. When your air conditioner has low levels of refrigerant, that usually means there is a refrigerant leak. Once the levels of refrigerant in the coil are too low, the air conditioning unit will not be able to absorb heat going through the system and your air conditioning unit will freeze. In this situation, it is better for you to contact your heating and cooling company for a technician to take a look and address the problem.
3) Outdoor temperature
Your air conditioner is only supposed to be operated when the outdoor temperature is above 65 degrees Fahrenheit. If you run your air conditioner when the temperature is less than 65, you will be pushing the fluids in your air conditioner through when they are at their thickest. This can cause damage to your unit besides the freezing problem.
There are some troubleshooting tips you can do. First thing you should do is turn off the unit. Let the air conditioner defrost, a 24 hour period should be enough time, but if it is not and you can, give your air conditioner another 24 hour defrosting period.
Next you should check your filters. If they are dirty, first step is to replace them. Give your unit the 24 hour defrost time before trying to turn it back on. If you do not see any ice, then turn it back on and keep an eye on it. If ice reforms, it is time to call a service technician (our number is (616) 205-5522)
If after the 24 hour defrost period, and changing the filter does not work, you need a professional to help repair your unit, you might even consider replacing the system. DSB Comfort Zone offers a full inspection of your system, as well as providing you with everything you need to replace your air conditioner. We check everything from your refrigerant levels, filters and even your duct work. In this blog we discussed the the three most common problems, however, some units might have more technical issues that only trained professionals would be able to notice and discuss with you.
DSB Comfort Zone
Comfort In Any Season
201. E. Division St.
Suite A
Sparta, MI 49345
Phone: (616) 205-5522
Email: info@dsbcomfort.com
Website: www.dsbcomfort.com
Twitter: @DSBComfortZone
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