Keep Your A/C From Freezing With These Tips
Keep Your A/C From Freezing With These Tips
The idea of something freezing on a hot summer’s day seems ridiculous – at least, it does until you discover that you are the proud owner of a frozen air conditioner. Yes, as strange as it sounds, your air conditioner can actually freeze even on the hottest day of the year, leaving you to suffer in the heat.
What Causes a Frozen Air Conditioner?
The main reason why air conditioners freeze is due to lack of air flow. The hotter it is, the longer your A/C has to keep pushing cold air through the system to keep your home comfortable.
Under normal conditions, your air conditioner can handle even long periods of air output. However, there are two situations where a frozen air conditioner can occur:
- Air flow through your evaporator coil is blocked. When air can’t pass freely through the evaporator coil, it basically sits too long in one spot and freezing occurs. Air flow restriction is often due to a dirty air filter. To fix the problem, shut your system off. Change the air filter or clean it if you have a reusable one. Turn the fan on and let it run for an hour or so, then turn the A/C back on. If this doesn’t fix the problem, call a service technician.
- Your A/C’s refrigerant is leaking. When you don’t have enough refrigerant, the same conditions occur as when you have air flow blockage. The air doesn’t move fast enough to keep your system from freezing. Refrigerant leakage isn’t a DIY repair situation. If you suspect you have a leak, call your service technician right away.
Of course, the best way to fix a problem is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Changing your filter regularly helps keep your entire system cleaner, which in turn helps keep air flowing freely. You can also help catch leaks and other issues before they become a big problem by scheduling an annual A/C service call.
For help in fixing your frozen air conditioner or any other HVAC problems in the Peachtree City area, contact Powers Heating & Air today!
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about frozen air conditioners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 770-487-2040.
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