Fast Steps to Fix a Frozen Air Conditioner

Does the air emitting from your supply registers unexpectedly appear not cold enough? Look at the indoor component of your air conditioner. This component is located within your furnace or air handler, if you use a heat pump. If there’s water seeping onto the floor, there could be crystals on the evaporator coil. The AC coil within the equipment may have frozen 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 assist you with air conditioning repair in the U.S. upheld by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.*

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

To get started—move the thermostat from “cool” to “off.” This stops cold refrigerant from flowing to the outdoor compressor, which could damage it and result in a costly repair.

Next, adjust the fan from “auto” to “on.” This creates hot airflow over the frozen coils to help them melt faster. Make sure to set the cooling mode to “off” so the air conditioner doesn’t begin a cooling cycle.

It might take under an hour or the better part of a day for the ice to thaw, depending on the level of the buildup. While you’re waiting, check the condensate pan underneath the AC unit. If the drain line is clogged, it may cause a mess as the ice melts, potentially resulting in water damage.

Step 2: Pinpoint the Problem

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

    • Check the filter. Poor airflow through a filthy filter could be the culprit. Check and change the filter once a month or as soon as you observe dust accumulation.
    • Open any sealed supply vents. Your home’s supply registers should stay open constantly. Closing vents limits airflow over the evaporator coil, which could result in it freezing.
    • Check for covered return vents. These usually don’t use moveable louvers, but furniture, rugs or curtains can still cover them.
    • Low refrigerant: While airflow restrictions are the most common culprit, your system might also have insufficient refrigerant. Depending on when it was installed, it may rely on Freon®. Not enough refrigerant requires pro help from a certified HVAC tech. H2: Step 3: Call an HVAC Professional at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing

If low airflow doesn’t feel like the issue, then another issue is making your AC freeze up. If this is what’s going on, simply letting it melt won’t take care of the issue. The evaporator coil will probably keep freezing unless you fix the underlying issue. Get in touch with an HVAC professional to check for issues with your air conditioner, which could include:

    • Refrigerant leak: AC units continuously use refrigerant, so it shouldn’t run out. Low refrigerant indicates a leak somewhere. Only a pro can pinpoint the leak, fix it, and recharge the system to the appropriate amount.
    • Grimy evaporator coil: If dirt accumulates on the coil, air can’t get to it, and it’s liable to freeze.
    • Broken blower: A faulty motor or unbalanced fan could stop airflow over the evaporator coil.

When your AC freezes up, get in touch with the ACE-certified pros at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to take care of the trouble. We have years of experience helping homeowners check their air conditioners, and we’re confident we can get things operating again quickly. Contact us at 866-397-3787 to schedule air conditioning repair in the U.S. with us right away.

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