One of the more common and frustrating things that can happen to your Air Conditioning Unit is for it to freeze over. This is when a layer of ice forms on the outside of your AC unit. Whether you have a window unit or a central air conditioning system, the causes and effects of this, as well as the solutions, are the same. The ice build up on your AC unit creates an inability to cool effectively, and puts stress on the compressor, which in time can lead to a costly repair or the need to replace the compressor. ac system to freeze up
We understand this can be frustrating, especially in Southside, Gadsden and the surrounding communities where summer temperatures can get into the high 90s with high humidity making it feel even hotter.
There are a number of reasons a unit may freeze over. Read on to learn more and learn how to prevent this issue.
Insufficient Air Flow: Anything that restricts the air flow in your unit will cause the system’s evaporator coil to freeze up. There are a few reasons air may not be flowing efficiently. The most common problem is a dirty air filter, which is exactly what it sounds like. If you are running your AC unit continuously, we recommend replacing or cleaning the air filter once a month.
Other air flow problems include blocked or closed ducts and vents, a faulty fan and/or dirt on the evaporator coils. Evaporator coils need regular cleaning; we recommend this once a season as part of an HVAC maintenance plan.
Low on Freon: Another thing that causes an AC freeze up is low refrigerant or Freon. This causes a drop in pressure in the evaporator coil which then allows moisture in the air to accumulate and freeze on the coil. Low refrigerant or Freon is caused by a leak. If the cause of your freeze up is a low refrigerant you need to contact Childress Heating & Cooling and one of our certified technicians will assist in the repair. This includes finding and repairing the leak, then refilling the refrigerant to factory levels.
Outdoor Temperature: Air conditioners are designed to run in a specific temperature range. Most of them will not run correctly below 60°F. Often a freeze up occurs because night-time temperatures are dropping too low for the unit to function properly. When the air is too cool the pressure inside the system will drop and can cause a freeze up.
If you are in Southside, Gadsden, Attalla, Rainbow City, Ohatchee, Jacksonville, or the surrounding communities and are experience HVAC issues, give us a call today.
Childress Heating & Cooling is proudly an American Standard Customer Care Dealer. We are fully licensed and insured.