How to Fix a Frozen Air Conditioner
Summer’s coming (we promise) and here’s an often cited scenario with the average homeowner: They’re sitting in their house, minding their own business, enjoying a bowl of popcorn and watching a movie, when suddenly he/she hears dreadful sound; drip… drip… drip. They turn their head to see the cat licking at a puddle that’s gradually forming on the dining room floor. In a flash: Anxiety, stress, and that sinking feeling. How did the leak start?; water heater, leaky toilet, shower, faucet? Nope – the central air conditioner is frozen solid. This can strike anywhere, from Fort Lauderdale to Thailand, regardless of climate.
Why Air Conditioners Freeze
When a central air conditioner freezes up, what actually freezes is the condenser unit’s evaporator coil. This component of the air conditioner transfers (evaporates) heat from the inside to the outside of your Fort Lauderdale area home. Usually there are two factors why the evaporator coil may freeze:
- Airflow restriction
- Low refrigerant
Either way, the ending effect is that the air conditioner’s evaporator coil does not properly disperse the heat, and in effect ‘overcools’ itself. The impact of this super-cooling is condensation (that’s water formation), and eventually ice forms from that condensation as it cools below the freezing point. In other words, the A/C just turned into an old-school icebox.
What Might You Do When Your A/C Freezes?
- Turn the A/C completely off at the thermostat, and do not just move up the temperature on the thermostat. Just make sure the A/C system is completely OFF.
- Confirm that there is nothing restricting the airflow to the system. Replace the furnace or air handler’s filter and replace any return air filters. Open all the registers completely and verify that they are not blocked by furniture or drapes.
- Call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. The air conditioning system needs to be serviced by a professional that is ACE-certified to ensure there are no refrigerant leaks or damage to the equipment. Simply schedule a Performance Inspection or Repair Diagnostic online, or call to talk to a live person right away.
What Does it Cost to Repair?
This can turn into a costly repair. When your unit ices over it can lead to a compressor replacement. Replacing your compressor can cost as much as a downpayment on a high efficiency model. In fact, many homeowners are forced to decide between installing a new system vs repairing the damaged unit. If you act quickly and call a ACE-certified technician, you stand a better chance of having a less expensive repair.
Your technician will diagnose the situation and how to avoid the issue from repeating in the future. If a leak exists (and that is rare, but possible), the leak has to be repaired or the unit will likely freeze again.