Your air conditioner hasn’t been working as well lately. You take a trip outside, walk toward your air conditioner, and give it a quick look. And you see… ice? In the middle of summer?
It’s confusing, but it’s more common than you might think. A frozen AC can leave you hot and frustrated, especially when it happens during a heatwave. The good news is there’s usually a clear cause behind the issue; and in many cases, a straightforward fix. Let’s take a look at why your AC might be freezing up and what you can do to get it back to normal.
What Causes Air Conditioners to Freeze Up
There are two main reasons why an air conditioner might freeze up: poor airflow or a refrigerant leak.
Poor Airflow
When your air conditioner doesn’t get enough airflow, the evaporator coil can get too cold because there’s not enough warm air moving across it to balance the temperature. As a result, the moisture that normally condenses on the coil can freeze instead of draining away. This layer of ice keeps growing, restricting airflow even more and making it harder for your system to do its job.
Resolving Poor Airflow
Poor airflow usually happens due to clogged filters, blocked vents, or dirty coils. A professional inspection can determine which component is causing poor airflow so the issue can be addressed before it leads to more serious damage.
Refrigerant Leak
Your air conditioner uses refrigerant to cool the air that gets circulated throughout your home. When the system is working properly, it maintains a constant level of refrigerant that cycles through the coils to absorb and release heat. But if there’s a leak, that balance is disrupted, which causes the pressure in the system to drop and the evaporator coil to become too cold. As a result, ice will start forming on the coil, affecting system performance and potentially causing damage to the rest of the unit.
Resolving a Refrigerant Leak
If you suspect a refrigerant leak, it’s important to shut off your air conditioner and contact a licensed HVAC technician as soon as possible. Handling refrigerant requires special training and equipment, so this isn’t something you should try to fix on your own. A professional will inspect the system, locate the source of the leak, and make the necessary repairs before recharging the system with the correct amount of refrigerant.
Are AC Freeze Ups a Common Problem?
AC freeze ups are one of the most common air conditioning problems. They tend to happen most commonly during periods of heavy usage, like on summer’s hottest days. When your HVAC system is working overtime to keep your home cool, any underlying issue like poor airflow or refrigerant leaks can quickly lead to ice buildup.
Resolve AC Freeze Ups ASAP
The more ice that develops on the system, the harder your central air conditioner has to work, and the greater the risk of long-term damage. As the ice builds up, airflow becomes even more restricted, which can strain the compressor and other vital components. Over time, what started as a simple freeze up can spiral into emergency repairs or even a complete air conditioner failure.
At Schebler Heating and Air, we recommend scheduling an inspection from your local AC repair technicians as soon as you notice any ice build up on your air conditioning unit.
Preventing Future Freeze Ups With Regular AC Maintenance
A little maintenance can go a long way toward preventing all types of air conditioning problems, from high energy bills to short cycling—and yes, AC freeze ups, too. During an air conditioning maintenance appointment, your HVAC technician will take an up-close look at your system’s key components, including the evaporator coils, refrigerant levels, air filters, and blower motor. They’ll clean any buildup, check for signs of wear or damage, and make sure everything is running as efficiently as it should be.
Stopping AC Freeze Ups in Their Tracks
Taking precautionary steps to stay ahead of a frozen air conditioner not only keeps your home cooler but also extends the life of your air conditioner. For most homes, we recommend scheduling maintenance at least once a year, ideally before the summer cooling season begins. And if you’ve already dealt with a freeze up, a tune-up is the best way to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Put an End to AC Freeze Ups: Schedule AC Repair in Bettendorf, IA With Schebler!
Looking for air conditioning services done right? At Schebler Heating and Air, our team proudly services homeowners in Bettendorf, IA, and the surrounding Quad Cities area. Whether your system is frozen solid or just not keeping up, we’re here to help with fast, reliable repairs and honest service. Don’t sweat through another uncomfortable day—schedule your AC repair with Schebler today!