WHY DOES AN AIR CONDITIONER FREEZE?

In a current weblog put up, we spoke of the significance of an AC filter change. At this time we’re taking issues a step additional and discussing what does it imply when your ac unit freezes?

A clogged or soiled filter is the principle purpose your air conditioner to freezes. An ac unit wants sufficient airflow to maintain vital components heat and working. Different causes embody low refrigerant, fan operation, or sudden rain. An air conditioner ought to ideally present cool air at 55 to 60 °F.

Beneath we dive deeper into the explanation why an air conditioner freezes:

Low Air Circulation

The cooling out of your air conditioner is meant to enter the air that passes over the coil. If there’s not sufficient air, the coil turns into very chilly and freezing temperatures happen. The ice blocks the airflow much more, and ice kinds quickly on the coil. As soon as the system begins to freeze, it received’t be lengthy earlier than the coil is totally blocked with ice and no cooling goes to the house. 

Low airflow happens due to filth clogging the blower or coil, grilles which are blocked or closed or the mechanical failure of a blower part. We advocate membership in Consolation Membership to make sure system cleanliness and reliability of all part components. 

Low Refrigerant

Most of us have skilled an air conditioner that won’t cool as a result of it’s low on refrigerant. It’s obscure how an air conditioner can freeze up for that very same purpose. 

It has to do with the science of stress and temperature. Maybe you have got skilled it takes longer to boil an egg within the mountains than it does right here in Jupiter, Florida. Water boils at a decrease temperature at the next altitude and corresponding low atmospheric stress. In Denver, Colorado water boils at 203 oF. (95 oC) versus 212 oF (100 oC) at sea degree. Equally, a cooling coil that’s designed to function at 40 oF reaches the freezing level when it’s low on refrigerant. Once more, we advocate membership within the Consolation Membership to assist keep away from a expensive air conditioner restore.

Rain Storms

Air conditioners are made to function in every kind of climate. Your AC unit operates extra effectively when out of doors temperatures fall, and heavy rains comply with. However rain additionally contributes to many air conditioner freeze-ups. If airflow is already restricted or refrigerant cost is low (or each) a heavy rain will virtually actually set off a freeze-up. 

It’s because water mist and droplets drawn into the out of doors unit carry away warmth almost 25x as quick as does air. The moisture within the air ‘superchargers’ your air conditioner’s efficiency. The air popping out of the grilles could develop into 5 or 10 levels cooler throughout heavy rain. 

It’s not uncommon after a thunderstorm that we hear of 1 or two air conditioners freezing up. Most frequently, the proprietor thought the whole lot was OK besides maybe on the warmest days when the unit ‘didn’t fairly sustain’. A rain bathe revealed the issue that was there on a regular basis. They might have averted the inconvenience of a expensive service name if that they had a Consolation Membership membership to take care of these circumstances earlier than they turned an issue.

Why are Freeze-Ups a Downside?

Generally, we can not make an efficient prognosis till the ice has melted. Your cooling should be turned off for so long as a number of hours to ‘defrost’ (NEVER USE A TOOL TO REMOVE ICE – a slip of a screwdriver can do a whole bunch of {dollars} in harm). Ice additionally blocks most of the tiny passages used to empty water from the AC unit. Ice formation can result in broken insulation, ceilings, ducts, and flooring.

Keep in mind how ice cracks water strains, sidewalks, roads, and brick partitions in northern climates? Ice can crack the cooling coil or trigger fittings to separate. In excessive instances, it will possibly harm your compressor. Coils and compressors are the most costly AC parts. Failure usually means the system needs to be changed. 

Why Turn out to be a Consolation Membership member?

Airflow, refrigerant, and borderline circumstances are every checked on the time of your twice-annual Consolation Membership service. 

At Full Consolation, we emphasize the ability of a powerful preventive upkeep self-discipline that proves its worth time and time once more. If you do your common AC filter change and name on Full Consolation for common service, you have got executed the whole lot you’ll be able to to make sure your AC will run effectively and reliably.