Frozen AC Coils
When your air conditioner coils are frozen, it can be frustrating. You might think you need to replace your system, but it may just be a simple fix. There are many reasons why your AC coils might freeze, so let's talk about them!Causes of Frozen AC Coils
If your air conditioner is not working as well as it should, there are several causes of frozen AC coils.One of the first causes to check is a dirty condenser coil. If dust and dirt build-up outside the unit, it can impede airflow into the condenser.
-This will cause your AC unit to work harder to keep up with cooling efficiency while increasing energy costs.
Another issue that may cause frozen AC coils is a faulty fan motor. The fan is responsible for moving air past both sides of your outdoor unit to bring cool air inside through vents or ducts; if this fails, then ice buildup will occur on one side only. The side without an adequate supply of fresh air being pumped through it regularly by your furnace system (or if you’re using heat pump systems).
Your thermostat could also be causing problems with thawing out these frozen components as well, especially if there are issues such as faulty wiring connections or poor programming that result from improper maintenance habits such as those listed above when checking for blockages within other components like fans or filters inside homes before going outside where all relevant parts need cleaning, so everything runs smoothly again once appropriately repaired.
Poor Airflow
If your air conditioner is not working correctly, it will not be able to keep up with the heat load in your home.-This is a common reason for frozen AC coils.
Dirty Condenser
- Clean out the condenser coils using a garden hose or other cleaning device. Remove any debris around your outside condenser unit's coil or fan blades.
- Inspect the compressor for any damage, making sure it's not leaking oil or gas onto the ground where it can be ignited by heat sources such as pilot lights in furnaces or stoves, pilot lights in water heaters, outdoor grill propane cylinders, and even cigarettes dropped on the pavement by people walking past your AC unit.
Issues with the fan
The fan motor may be faulty, or the blades may be damaged. The fan may not be spinning fast enough to properly move air through your AC unit.Faulty Thermostat
For example, if the thermostat is set too low or not correctly adjusted, it can cause your AC unit to freeze up.-This can result in an expensive repair bill for you. One way around this problem is to install a programmable thermostat.
With a programmable thermostat, you can set different temperatures for different times of the day or week so that if you are away from home for long periods, the temperature does not drop below the freezing point and cause damage.
Turn off the unit and allow it to thaw.
Turn off the unit and allow it to thaw.To ensure that you can raise your home's temperature as quickly as possible, turn off your central air conditioning system (if you have one).
If your unit does not have a built-in thermostat, ensure it's connected to a breaker box; switch off power to that circuit at the breaker box.
If the outside temperature is above 70° F.
If your air conditioner has frozen, we recommend turning off the unit and allowing it to thaw. To prevent this from happening in the future, consider changing your thermostat settings.If the outside temperature is above 70° F, change your thermostat to “cooling” and set it lower than the current indoor temperature. -This will turn the air conditioner back on and begin thawing the ice.
Ensure your filter is clean. A dirty filter is not allowing sufficient airflow.
Of course, the first thing you should do is check your filter. A dirty filter is not allowing sufficient airflow, causing low airflow.Low airflow is one of the major causes of frozen coils. If you haven’t already, check out our blog post on how often you should clean your filter.
If you still have problems with frozen AC coils after that, it's time to schedule an HVAC chat.
Inspect the outside unit for dirt or debris.
Use a garden hose or other cleaning device to remove any debris around your outside condenser unit's coil or fan blades.Turn off power to the system.
- Turn off power to the system at the breaker box.
- Inspect an exposed wire or contact in your electrical panel for signs of melted plastic or wires touching each other.
If you've got a frozen AC coil
When you've got a frozen AC coil, there are a few things you can do to try to figure out why it's frozen and what to do about it.First of all, check the outside unit for dirt or debris. If the coil is dirty, this will reduce its ability to cool down your home and make it more likely that ice will form on it.
Next, turn off power at your breaker box and inspect for an exposed wire or contact in your electrical panel for signs of melted plastic or wires touching each other.
-This could be another reason your system isn't working correctly—you'll want to have this looked at by an electrician if necessary.
Chat with an HVAC expert
To help you find the right HVAC expert for your home, we offer video chat services for HVAC help. We are here for you!Our experts are ready to answer your questions about any aspect of HVAC systems. Whether you have a question about a specific type of heating and cooling system.