One of the most common complaints among homeowners especially during summer is their air conditioner freezing up. Most symptoms of a frozen air conditioner can be subtle. However, because the consequences it brings are very serious, it is very crucial to stay alert to the signs your AC unit might be sending. Running a frozen unit without solving the main cause of the problem can lead to irreversible damage to the compressor of the unit. Therefore, as a homeowner, you must be diligent enough in watching the signs which indicate your unit is icing up.
Here are some of the most common causes of your AC freezing up:
Dirty Air Filter
Low airflow delivers much lesser air to the evaporator coil for cooling your home. Among the most important aspects of preventing the AC unit’s coil from freezing is the sufficient flow of hot and humid air. As much as possible, clean the air filters regularly in order to prevent this from causing your unit to freeze.
Low Refrigerant Levels
If your refrigerant was charged improperly during its installation or have a refrigerant leak, chances are it could make the evaporator coil too cold. If this happens, immediately call an expert HVAC technician to fix the leak and recharge your unit according to the direction of the manufacturer.
Thermostat Issues
Your air conditioning unit may run all night when it is not needed to do so. This is the main cause of wasted money, energy, and worst it could lead your air conditioning unit to freeze. Have your thermostat checked in order to solve the problem.
Insufficient Fan Speed
Remember that fan should blow fast enough to keep the right amount of air blowing over the unit’s evaporator coil. A professional HVAC technician has what it takes to increase the fan speed and at the same time do away the main causes of freezing air conditioner.
Closed Supply Registers
One great way to save both money and energy is by shutting the supply registers in unoccupied areas of the house. On the other hand, if you close too many, it could end up costing you even more especially if your air conditioning unit freezes up. Therefore, always makes sure that no more than quarter of the supply registers of your home is closed to avoid freezing.
Drainage Issues
During hot, summer months, the humid air blows across the unit’s evaporator coil and the coil eliminates both heat and moisture from the air. If something blocks the drain, chances are the backed-up water will freeze back to the evaporator coil. As a result, the ice blocks the drain. To prevent this from happening, check and clear the drainpipe regularly.
One best way to prevent what causes your air conditioning unit to freeze up is to schedule annual AC preventative maintenance. HVAC technicians fix all types of problems including an AC unit that freezes up. They arrive equipped with the most advanced tools for troubleshooting, diagnosing, and repair.
