Anyone who’s ever had an AC unit probably has a story about it freezing up at one point or another over the years.
If you’re just seeing it happen for the first time, you might be wondering, “Why do ice and ice crystals form on my AC unit?!”
The long and short of it is that the evaporator coil, which is essential to the air conditioner working properly, is no longer doing its job. Once that happens, your unit can start cooling too much, leading it to freeze and ice or frost to develop.
While scheduling regular HVAC maintenance and having a maintenance plan is the best way to prevent this from happening, there are both things you can do if your AC unit freezes up and preventive actions to take to help keep it from freezing.
Step One: Turn Off Your HVAC System Immediately
The first thing to do if you notice your air conditioning has frozen is to turn off your HVAC system. If the system continues running and ice continues to build up, it can cause expensive long-term or even irreparable damage. This means you would need to have a new air conditioner installed as soon as possible to prevent the inside of your home or business from becoming unbearable in the East Texas summer heat.
Once you’ve turned off your AC, contact an East Texas air conditioner repair company like ETR right away for the soonest possible appointment.
Check and Change Your Air Filter
When was the last time you checked or changed your air conditioner filter?
While the filter might seem a simple part of your AC unit, regularly checking, cleaning, and changing the air filter is one of the top (and luckily inexpensive and easy) ways you can keep your AC unit in good working order for many years. A clean air filter is the gateway to many other components of your AC, and it’s essential that the filter is clean and working properly for your unit to function as it should.
The amount of times between cleaning and changing filters varies by unit and amount of use. Talk to your trusted local AC and heating company about how often your unit’s filter should be cleaned and changed.
Could It Be a Compressor Issue?
Unfortunately, your unit’s air compressor being on the way out might be the reason the unit isn’t working properly. The compressor is essential to your air conditioner system and if it’s not working properly, it could be an expensive fix.
Contact a Tyler, Texas AC repair company to find out if this is the issue and get professional advice for the next step.
Preventive Maintenance Saves Money
As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and this is definitely true when it comes to HVAC system maintenance.
Having your AC freeze up can be annoying, uncomfortable, expensive, and time-consuming, to name a few.
However, the good news is that scheduling annual HVAC maintenance with a professional East Texas HVAC company can and will both save you money and ensure that your home is a safe and comfortable temperature all year round.
During the inspection, professional heating and cooling technicians with state-of-the-art products and diagnostic equipment will perform an AC system check to determine where any issues might be and fix them before they become bigger and more expensive.
Check Refrigerant Levels and Watch for Leaks
If you’re not part of a professional HVAC maintenance program or haven’t had annual inspections, then it’s important to check your refrigerant levels if you notice that your AC system has frozen up. This is especially true in the hot summer months when your unit is working overtime to keep your home or business a comfortable temperature.
Low refrigerant levels and an icy AC could also be because you have a refrigerant leak somewhere. These can be difficult to detect if you’re not a professional, making it even more important that you have your unit professionally inspected and maintained regularly.
Is There a Blockage in the Airflow?
If your air conditioner is frozen, it’s possible you have a blockage in the unit’s airflow somewhere. If air isn’t moving through the system as it’s designed to, then it can cause your evaporator coil to freeze and the unit to stop working properly.
There are many reasons your air conditioner might freeze due to blocked airflow. You can do some investigating on your own: are all of your vents clear? Is the air filter clean? Is the blower fan working properly? If you don’t notice issues with these areas, it’s important you call for a professional HVAC technician to look over things and determine what’s causing the poor airflow and icy AC conditions.
Be Careful with the Thermostat
What’s your thermostat set at? Did one of the kids come in from soccer practice on a 100 degree day and dramatically lower the programable thermostat setting to cool the house down to their needs?
Unfortunately, turning your thermostat down too much can cause your system to work harder than it should, and this can cause it to freeze and work improperly.
When to Call an Air Conditioning Pro
If you’ve ruled out the above top three reasons your air conditioner is freezing up, there’s clearly something else happening.
Don’t wait to contact a local HVAC technician because experienced HVAC companies are in high demand during peak summer months. Being without your AC for any length of time during summer in East Texas can not only be very uncomfortable, it can also be dangerous. This is especially true for pregnant women, babies, and the elderly.
Keep your household safe and comfortable during the hot Texas summers by making sure your AC is working properly with regular inspections.
