Why Does My AC Freeze Up?

We might have sizzling climate, however even in Birmingham, you need to know what to do when your AC unit freezes up. It’s so sizzling outdoors, how is it attainable that my AC has ice on it? Earlier than you name us loopy, it occurs steadily.

On this weblog, the workforce at KS Companies will evaluation why an AC freezes even on the most well liked days of the 12 months, and what you need to do once you discover this taking place. We’ll additionally embrace tricks to forestall frozen HVAC coils. With our suggestions, chances are you’ll keep away from an AC restore go to however in case you want us, a pleasant KS Companies HVAC tech is able to assist!

What to Do When Your AC Unit Freezes Up within the Summer season

Fortunately, it solely takes 2 steps to revive your air-con system again to regular after it freezes. Comply with alongside to assist your system.

Step One: Thaw It Out

Flip off your AC unit on the electrical breaker and let the ice thaw. Be suggested, it might take a complete day for a frozen air conditioner to fully thaw. Choose a day once you plan to spend time elsewhere, simply be aware of any pets in the home and the forecast. If a day’s relaxation is impractical, flip the AC off however depart the blower working which can proceed to maneuver heat air over the coils and assist them thaw.

Make each effort to keep away from utilizing the AC whereas the evaporator coils are frozen. Operating the AC with frozen coils strains the AC compressor. The air-con system compressor is the most costly part in your air-con unit. The pressure might harm this worthwhile half and set you up for an unplanned expense.

Lastly, don’t take heed to recommendation that you need to break up the ice with a heavy object or sharp device. This simply damages parts and creates new issues. As an alternative, you may attempt to use a hair dryer to assist with the melting course of.

Step Two: Dry the Coils

As soon as the ice is gone, dry the evaporator coils. If off, restore the ability to your system and switch the blower on. Set the thermostat to solely run the blower or fan. This circulates air round and thru the coils to dry them shortly.

As soon as the coils are dry, your system ought to function usually. It’s necessary, nonetheless, to forestall it from taking place once more, even in case you now know what to do when your AC unit freezes up.

Why Does My AC Freeze Up?

Air conditioners freeze on a regular basis, however it may be a significant inconvenience, to not point out costly to repair. Many householders might not know what causes this challenge to come up and the right way to forestall it. Listed here are among the widespread causes of air conditioner freezes.

Soiled Air Filter

The primary widespread reason behind frozen air conditioners is because of restricted airflow. This occurs when the air filter is clogged or soiled, and the air conditioner can’t effectively take away warmth from your private home. When restricted airflow happens, the evaporator coils develop into too chilly, resulting in the formation of ice on the coils. This downside might be resolved by merely changing the air filter. Air filters ought to be modified regularly, often between each 30-90 days.

Soiled Evaporator Coil

Your AC’s evaporator coil is absolutely only a cluster of refrigerant coils. Because the refrigerant passes by way of, the chemical reaches temperatures as little as 10 – 20 levels Fahrenheit. Throughout regular operation, heat, unconditioned air passes over the coils. The prevailing heat in your family’s air prevents ice or frost formation. If, nonetheless, there’s a scarcity of heat air shifting throughout the evaporator coils, they ice over. The ice even travels alongside the refrigerant traces. As humid air, which we’ve a whole lot of right here in Birmingham, meets the coils and condenses, it freezes even quicker.

Mechanical Points

Another excuse for air conditioner freezing might be associated to mechanical points, similar to a malfunctioning blower fan, which causes the air conditioner to work incorrectly, resulting in ice buildup. When these parts don’t work correctly, airflow is restricted and the coils develop into too chilly.

Refrigerant Leak

Air conditioner refrigerant leaks are one other widespread reason behind freezing. Refrigerant is the substance that cools the air in your AC. When there’s not sufficient refrigerant within the air-con system, it should cycle too usually, inflicting a speedy lower in temperature and rising the probabilities of the evaporator coils freezing. When your refrigerant ranges are low, your system has to work tougher to chill your private home, which may trigger the coils to develop into too chilly and freeze up. In case your system continues to run with low refrigerant ranges, it might trigger everlasting harm to the compressor, leading to a pricey restore. This downside can solely be mounted by an expert AC restore technician.

Utilizing Your AC When It’s Too Chilly Outdoors

Lastly, if the temperature outdoors is beneath 60 levels, and your AC’s temperature is about beneath 68 levels, this will trigger the evaporator coils to freeze as there’s not sufficient heat air in the home for the AC to sufficiently cool. On this case, it’s best to only flip off the air conditioner and await the temperature to enhance earlier than turning it again on.

Get Assist for Frozen AC Points

In case you are asking why my AC freeze up, you is perhaps tempted to attempt to repair the problem your self. Past altering your air filter and ensuring your system is just used when it’s heat sufficient outdoors, you need to depart the repairs to the professionals. Freezing coils are sometimes a symptom of a bigger downside that requires the experience of a licensed HVAC technician. Calling an expert will not be solely the most secure choice; it’s additionally more cost effective in the long term.

It’s necessary to notice that whereas frozen coils are a visual symptom of a problem, the underlying trigger might not all the time be as obvious. A licensed technician has the coaching and experience to examine your entire system parts together with your blower fan, condensate pan, refrigerant coils, and extra to establish the basis trigger. They may have the ability to present an efficient resolution that can forestall the issue from taking place sooner or later. Working with an expert HVAC firm will finally prevent money and time in the long term. Don’t let your AC proceed to freeze up; name KS Companies for air-con system repairs at this time.

Tips on how to Stop a Frozen AC Unit

Now you realize what to do when your AC unit freezes up and the widespread causes. How will you cease it from taking place within the first place? Now we have some preventative tricks to cease ac freezing from taking place once more.

1. Change Your Air Filter

A grimy air filter is a high reason behind a frozen HVAC system. The air filter cleans the air circulated into your private home. Over time, it clogs with grime, pollen, mud, and different allergens. This restricts the airflow and the HVAC coils freeze.

Usually, we suggest you examine your filter month-to-month. Change it as wanted. For most folk, that is one to each three months. Filter modifications fluctuate primarily based on components, similar to:

• The kind of filter you’ve
• Presence of kids or pets within the house
• The season and in case you reside in a high-pollen depend space
• Whether or not a family member smokes
• A family member lives with bronchial asthma, allergic reactions, COPD, or congestive coronary heart situations
• When you steadily run your system

Throughout common HVAC upkeep, KS Companies professionals examine your filter and can change it for you if a brand new one is offered.

2. Schedule Common Upkeep to Examine Coolant Ranges

As a part of a seasonal tune-up, an expert HVAC contractor performs a complete inspection. This contains checking coolant ranges and charging if mandatory.

Suppose you may need a coolant leak? There are a few indicators. For instance, does your AC blow sizzling air? Do you hear a hissing? KS HVAC techs use measuring devices to examine ranges as effectively. Keep away from dealing with coolant chemical compounds, as a result of they are often poisonous. Depart it to the professionals if attainable.

3. Get an Airflow Inspection

Obstructed airflow is a significant cause heating and cooling techniques malfunction or perform inefficiently. Much like a clogged filter, blocked vent returns and registers forestall satisfactory airflow.

This causes your system to work tougher with no strategy to launch the cooled or heated air. Are vents and registers clear from any obstructions? Your downside could also be poorly designed or put in ductwork. In some circumstances, the ductwork is put in effectively however the improper dimension for your own home or the capability.

Name KS Companies for HVAC upkeep. Our educated professionals examine your ductwork and supply redesign options, if mandatory. If there’s a clog, like nesting materials or different indicators of pests, we clear obstructions blocking correct airflow.

4. Clear Evaporator Coils

The condensate traces drain extra moisture out of your HVAC system. If there’s a clog within the line, the water turns into caught and the surplus water freezes. With frozen water in your traces, you would be left with frozen HVAC coils as effectively.

Over time, evaporator coils entice mud, hair, and dirt can kind a clog. If there’s moisture trapped contained in the clog, the moisture freezes and the coils freeze as effectively. Frozen coils limit airflow. This causes your system to wrestle or not work in any respect.

The perfect prevention for frozen HVAC coils is to schedule preventive upkeep. KS Companies checks the evaporator coils and the remainder of your unit’s traces throughout an AC tune-up.

Get monetary savings, keep away from AC repairs, breakdowns, and a frozen HVAC system sooner or later with routine air-con service.

Name KS For Air Conditioner Repairs in Birmingham, AL

A proactive and preventive mindset saves you cash all year long in your vitality invoice and retains your air-con working effectively. When you ever discover your AC unit freezing up, observe our tricks to thaw your system your self, after which name KS Companies for an AC inspection or repairs.