During scorching summers, air conditioners are a blessing in our lives. They keep us from melting away in the heat and our homes stay cool and comfortable. But it can be pretty stressful if your air conditioner keeps freezing up when you need it to work smoothly and efficiently.
If your A/C freezes up a lot during the hottest summer days, here’s what might be causing it.
How to Tell When Your A/C Is Freezing Up
If your air supply registers blow out warm air, it’s a telltale sign that your air conditioner’s evaporator coils are frozen. To check this, open the panels of your air conditioner and look for ice buildup. It’s also important to note that the absence of ice buildup doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have a problem. Therefore, it’s best to call professional HVAC contractors as soon as the air inside your home begins to feel warmer than usual.
What Might Be Causing Your A/C to Freeze Up?
Obstructed Air Flow
Air conditioners require smooth and consistent airflow to prevent moisture from settling in and freezing on the evaporator coils. This airflow can get restricted if your air filters are clogged with dirt and debris.
To avoid this problem, make sure to clean your air filters if they are washable or replace them regularly if they are not washable. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, changing your old air filters can improve your home’s HVAC efficiency by 5 to 15 percent. It’s also a good idea to get your air conditioner serviced and tuned up to ensure constant airflow.
Refrigerant Leaks
Your air conditioner can freeze up due to low refrigerant pressure. Sometimes the refrigerant line gets cracked or damaged, causing the Freon to leak. Now, your system is low on refrigerant, but it’s still required to provide the same amount of cold air because the thermostat is set at a low temperature. Lower refrigerant pressure makes it super cold and unable to cool because it freezes.
This will cause the evaporate coil to go below the freezing point, turning all the air that comes in contact with the coil into ice. Ice buildup will ultimately cause the air pressure to drop and your air conditioner to freeze up.
Mechanical Problems
If your air conditioner’s blower fan is damaged, out of balance, or just not working anymore, it will alter the air pressure in your air conditioning system, causing it to freeze up. A faulty or malfunctioning defrost board could be a problem. There’s a device in every HVAC system that measures the temperature and melts any ice that forms. If this isn’t working properly, the system is more likely to run colder and freeze up.
Whatever it is that’s causing your air conditioner to freeze; it’s best to let the professionals assess the problem and fix it. If you’re looking for experienced and trustworthy HVAC contractors in Garner for a top-quality air conditioning service, get in touch with Comfort Shield.
Connect with their experts at (919) 588-8015 for more information about their HVAC services and special discount offers.
