What Causes an Air Conditioner to Freeze?
Air conditioners can run into a variety of problems throughout their lifespan. One of the most common issues we see is air conditioner freezing in Visalia, CA. While colder is typically better, that’s not the case when the coils on the AC freeze!
Frozen coils mean that your AC can’t produce the cold air necessary to cool your home. Here are a few different reasons why an air conditioner might freeze up:
- Lack of airflow: Air conditioners often freeze when there’s a lack of warm airflow over the coils. Obviously, if the coils stop receiving warmer air, they’ll get too cold and could eventually freeze up. A lack of airflow can be caused by a variety of things, including a collapsed duct, faulty blower motor or even a clogged air filter. Only an HVAC technician will be able to diagnose and correct this problem.
- Dust: The coils might also freeze if there’s too much dust on them. A thick layer of dust surrounding the coils traps cold air inside, which could eventually create an icebox effect. Be sure you’re changing your air filters out regularly to help reduce the chance of too must dust accumulating.
- Low refrigerant: The refrigerant level inside the coils directly correlates to how your AC unit manages pressure. If the refrigerant and pressure get too low, moisture will condense on the coil, instantly freezing it. This process will continue to occur until there’s a thick layer of ice built up. For this reason, it’s important that there’s always enough refrigerant in your unit.
Preventing a freeze up
The good news is that preventing air conditioner freezing in Visalia, CA is relatively easy. Follow these tips and you may never have to worry about dealing with a frozen AC:
- Schedule annual maintenance: The best way to prevent your AC from freezing is to call a professional HVAC technician to service your air conditioner each spring. Among many other things, your professional will thoroughly clean your unit and inspect it to ensure there aren’t any blockages that may cause freezing.
- Call for repairs right away: A few signs that you have a frozen air conditioner in Visalia, CA include a sudden decline in performance, increased condensation drainage and reduced airflow. If you experience any of these, call a technician to make repairs. Waiting too long to call for help could result in excessive damage and a higher repair bill.
- Raise the thermostat: Blasting the AC day and night certainly feels refreshing, but it could result in your coils freezing up. We recommend raising the indoor temperature by a few degrees and turning your air off while you’re not at home. Taking these steps will also reduce your monthly cooling costs.
Frozen AC? Schedule service today!
Now is not the time to be living without air conditioning! If you have a frozen air conditioner in Visalia, CA, or any other AC issues, call the professionals at 24/7 Local HVAC. From preventative maintenance to new installations, we’re your one-stop shop for your HVAC needs.
1200 Brickell Avenue Suite 1950, Miami, FL 33131
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