How to Fix a Frozen Air Conditioner
Summer’s coming (believe it or not) and here’s an all-to-familiar scenario with the average homeowner: They’re sitting in their house, minding their own business, enjoying a bowl of popcorn and watching Netflix, when they notice that dreadful sound; drip… drip… drip. They turn their head to see the dog licking at a puddle that’s slowly forming on the bathroom floor. Suddenly: Concern, stress, and that ”oh brother!” feeling. How did the leak start?; water heater, leaky toilet, shower, faucet? Not necessarily – the central air conditioner is frozen solid. This can strike anywhere, from Fort Lauderdale to Africa, regardless of summer heat.
Why Air Conditioners Freeze
The evaporator coil is the component of a central A/C unit that actually freezes. This component of the air conditioner transfers (evaporates) heat from the inside to the outside of your Fort Lauderdale area home. Usually there are two factors why the evaporator coil may freeze:
- Airflow restriction
- Low refrigerant
Either way, the result is that the air conditioner’s evaporator coil cannot operate to properly disperse the heat, and in essence ‘overcools’ itself. The net effect 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. Yep, the A/C just turned into an old-school icebox.
What Might You Do When Your A/C Freezes?
- Turn the unit completely off at the thermostat, and do not just move up the temperature on the thermostat. Just make sure the A/C system is completely OFF.
- Confirm that there is nothing restricting the airflow to the system. Replace the furnace or air handler’s filter and replace any return air filters. Open all the registers completely and ensure that they are not impeded by furniture or drapery.
- Call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. 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 a costly repair. When your unit freezes over it can lead to a totaled compressor. Replacing your compressor could cost as much as a downpayment on a new system. In fact, many homeowners are forced to decide between installing a new system or repairing the damaged unit. If you follow the steps above and quickly call a ACE-certified technician, you have better odds of getting a less expensive job.
Your technician will diagnose the situation and how to avoid the issue from repeating in the future. If a leak exists (and that is rare, but possible), the leak has to be repaired or the unit will most likely freeze again.
