Does the air coming from your supply registers suddenly seem hot? Check the indoor part of your air conditioner. This part is located within your furnace or air handler, if you use a heat pump. If there’s water seeping onto the floor, there could be crystals on the evaporator coil. The AC coil within the system may have frozen. You’ll need to melt it before it can cool your home again.
Here’s the things you should do. If you can’t get the coil frost-free, Parker Pearce Service Experts is here to help with air conditioning repair in Gaithersburg backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.*
Step 1: Switch the Air Conditioning Off and the Blower On
To begin—move the thermostat from “cool” to “off.” This stops chilly refrigerant from moving to the outdoor compressor, which could harm it and cause an expensive repair.
After that, move the fan from “auto” to “on.” This creates heated airflow over the crystallized coils to force them to thaw faster. Remember to set the cooling mode to “off” so the air conditioner doesn’t start a cooling cycle.
It may take less than an hour or the majority of the day for the ice to melt, depending on the degree of the buildup. While you’re waiting, watch the condensate pan under the AC unit. If the drain line is clogged, it may spill over as the ice melts, likely resulting in water damage.
Step 2: Diagnose the Issue
Low airflow is a leading cause for an AC to become frozen. Here’s how to figure out the issue:
- Look at the filter. Insufficient airflow through a filthy filter could be the culprit. Check and change the filter once a month or as soon as you notice dust accumulation.
- Open any sealed supply vents. Your residence’s supply registers should stay open always. Shutting vents limits airflow over the evaporator coil, which could lead it to freeze.
- Look for obstructed return vents. These often don’t have shiftable louvers, but furniture, rugs or curtains can still obstruct them.
- Low refrigerant: While airflow restrictions are the most frequent suspect, your air conditioner might also not have enough refrigerant. Depending on its age, it may use Freon®. Not enough refrigerant calls for pro attention from a certified HVAC tech. H2: Step 3: Contact an HVAC Pro at Parker Pearce Service Experts
If low airflow doesn’t feel like the issue, then another problem is making your AC freeze. If this is the case, just letting it melt won’t repair the issue. The evaporator coil is likely to freeze again unless you repair the main cause. Get in touch with an HVAC pro to check for troubles with your air conditioner, which may include:
- Refrigerant leak: AC units continuously use refrigerant, so it shouldn’t run low. Low refrigerant signals a leak somewhere. Only a technician can locate the leak, mend it, and recharge the air conditioning to the correct concentration.
- Dirty evaporator coil: If dust builds up on the coil, air can’t reach it, and it’s likely to freeze.
- Nonfunctional blower: A defective motor or unbalanced fan can prevent airflow over the evaporator coil.
If your AC freezes up, call on the ACE-certified professionals at Parker Pearce Service Experts to repair the situation. We have lots of experience helping homeowners diagnose their air conditioners, and we’re certain we can get things running again in no time. Contact us at 301-476-4577 to get air conditioning repair in Gaithersburg with us now.
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