Easy Steps to Fix a Frozen Air Conditioner

Does the air flowing from your supply registers abruptly seem hot? Look at the indoor portion of your air conditioner. This piece is located within your furnace or air handler, if you use a heat pump. If there’s water leaking onto the floor, there might be crystals on the evaporator coil. The AC coil within the equipment might have frosted over. You’ll need to melt it before it can cool your home again.

Here’s what to do. If you can’t get the coil frost-free, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is here to help with air conditioning repair in the U.S. backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.*

Step 1: Turn the Air Conditioning Off and the Blower On

To begin—switch the thermostat from “cool” to “off.” This prevents chilly refrigerant from going to the outdoor compressor, which could hurt it and result in an expensive repair.

Next, switch the fan from “auto” to “on.” This creates hot airflow over the frozen coils to help them thaw faster. Make sure to set the cooling mode to “off” so the air conditioner doesn’t begin a cooling cycle.

It can take less than an hour or the better part of a day for the ice to thaw, depending on the amount of the accumulation. While you’re waiting, watch the condensate pan underneath the AC unit. If the drain line is clogged, it can create a mess as the ice melts, potentially resulting in water damage.

Step 2: Pinpoint the Problem

Bad airflow is a primary reason for an AC to become frozen. Here’s how to troubleshoot the problem:

• • Check the filter. Inadequate airflow through a filthy filter could be the culprit. Inspect and replace the filter once a month or immediately when you see a layer of dust.

• • Open any closed supply vents. Your home’s supply registers should be open constantly. Closing vents limits airflow over the evaporator coil, which may result in it freezing.

• • Look for obstructed return vents. These typically don’t use shiftable louvers, but furniture, rugs or curtains can still cover them.

• • Insufficient refrigerant: While airflow restrictions are the most frequent suspect, your air conditioning could also have insufficient refrigerant. Depending on when it was replaced, it may use Freon®. Not enough refrigerant requires pro support from a certified HVAC tech. H2: Step 3: Get in Touch with an HVAC Technician at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing

If low airflow doesn’t appear to be the issue, then another problem is causing your AC freeze. If this is what’s occurring, merely thawing it out won’t fix the problem. The evaporator coil will possibly continually freeze unless you fix the underlying symptom. Call an HVAC specialist to look for troubles with your air conditioner, which could include:

• • Refrigerant leak: AC units recycle refrigerant, so it shouldn’t get used up. Insufficient refrigerant means there’s a leak somewhere. Only a professional can pinpoint the leak, mend it, and recharge the air conditioning to the appropriate concentration.

• • Filthy evaporator coil: If grime builds up on the coil, air can’t get to it, and it’s apt to freeze.

• • Broken blower: A broken motor or unbalanced fan can halt airflow over the evaporator coil.

When your AC freezes up, call on the ACE-certified specialists at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to repair the trouble. We have a lot of experience helping homeowners check their air conditioners, and we’re certain we can get things working again in no time. Contact us at 866-397-3787 to get air conditioning repair in the U.S. with us now.