How to Fix a Frozen Air Conditioner
Summer’s coming (believe it or not) and here’s a typical scenario with the average homeowner: They’re relaxing in their living room, minding their own business, enjoying a bowl of popcorn and watching their favorite TV show, when they notice that awful sound; drip… drip… drip. They glance over to see the dog licking at a puddle that’s slowly forming on the dining room floor. In a flash: Concern, stress, and that sinking feeling. What caused the leak?; water heater, leaky toilet, shower, faucet? Not necessarily – the central air conditioner is frozen solid. This can occur anywhere, from Columbus to Africa, regardless of weather.
Why Air Conditioners Freeze
The part of the air conditioner that actually freezes is known as the evaporator coil. This component of the air conditioner transfers (evaporates) heat from the inside to the outside of your Columbus area home. Usually there are two factors why the evaporator coil may freeze:
- The restriction of the system’s airflow
- Insufficient refrigerant
Either way, the result is that the air conditioner’s evaporator coil will be unable to properly disperse the heat, and in essence ‘overcools’ itself. The impact of this super-cooling is condensation (that’s water formation), and over time ice forms from that condensation as it cools below the freezing point. In other words, the A/C transformed into an old-school icebox.
What Should You Do When Your A/C Freezes?
- Turn the unit completely off at the thermostat, and don’t try to thaw the system by increasing the temperature at the thermostat. Just make sure the A/C system is completely OFF.
- Do what you can to ensure airflow is not restricted. Replace the furnace or air handler’s filter along with any return air filters. Open all the registers completely and ensure that they are not impeded by furniture or drapery.
- Call Stevenson Service Experts. The air conditioning system needs to be serviced by a professional that is ACE-certified to ensure there are no refrigerant leaks or damage to the equipment. Simply schedule a Performance Inspection or Repair Diagnostic online, or call to talk to a live person right away.
What Does it Cost to Repair?
This can turn into an expensive repair. When your unit ices over it can lead to a compressor replacement. Replacing your compressor could easily cost as much as a downpayment on a brand new air conditioner. In fact, many people are forced to choose between installing a new system vs repairing the damaged one. If you act quickly and call a ACE-certified technician, you have better odds of getting a less expensive job.
Your technician will quickly analyze the problem and how to avoid the issue from happening again. If a leak was really the cause (and that is rare, but possible), the leak has to be repaired or the unit will most likely freeze again.
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