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 at home, minding their own business, having a bowl of popcorn and watching their favorite TV show, when all of a sudden – that distant terrible sound; drip… drip… drip. They turn their head to see the dog licking at a puddle that’s steadily forming on the bathroom floor. In a flash: Worry, stress, and that ”oh brother!” feeling. What caused the leak?; water heater, leaky toilet, shower, faucet? Nope – the central air conditioner is frozen solid. This can strike anywhere, from Fort Lauderdale to Africa, 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:
- The restriction of the system’s airflow
- Lack of sufficient refrigerant
Either way, the ending effect is that the air conditioner’s evaporator coil does not properly dissipate heat, and in essence ‘overcools’ itself. The net effect 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 short, the A/C has morphed into an old-school icebox.
What Can You Do When Your A/C Freezes?
- Turn the A/C completely off at the thermostat, and do not increase the thermostat temperature as a way to melt the frost on the coils. It is important that 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 as well as any return air filters. Open all the registers completely and verify that they are not obstructed by furniture or drapery.
- Call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. The air conditioning system needs to be professionally inspected 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 become a costly repair. When your AC freezes over it can lead to a compressor replacement. Replacing your compressor could easily cost as much as a downpayment on a high efficiency model. In fact, many people are forced to pick between installing a new system or repairing the damaged model. If you follow the steps above and quickly call a ACE-certified technician, you have better odds of having a less expensive job.
Your technician will diagnose the situation and how to avoid the issue from occurring in the future. If a leak was really the cause (and that is rare, but possible), the leak has to be repaired or the unit will likely freeze again.