It may seem odd, but there are times that no matter how hot it may be outside, an air conditioner freezes up. You may have experienced this very issue yourself, or you may be going through it right now. If that’s the case, you don’t need to panic – just get in contact with a professional with One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® of Elk Grove and we can come out to take a look at your system. In the meantime, though, here’s some information on why the problem may be happening and what you should do.
Why it Happens
There are three common reasons why an air conditioner freezes up. While this is sometimes not an indication of a serious problem with your system, there are other times where it could be.
- Refrigerant problems – If you don’t have enough refrigerant, that will cause the pressure to drop in your unit’s evaporator coil. This allows moisture to freeze on the coil. The problem is that an air conditioner is a “closed” system, meaning it doesn’t simply run out of refrigerant. You more than likely have some sort of leak. There is a very good chance the leak can be fixed and your refrigerant can be recharged, but in some instances a leak can mean you’d be better off getting a new system entirely.
- Improper airflow – If your ducts are obstructed or you have dirty air filters, the coil’s temperature can drop below freezing and lead to the accumulation of ice. Make sure you clean or replace your filters once a month during cooling season and have your ducts checked by a professional.
- The outside temperature – You may be a true polar bear and need to have your AC running even when the outside temperature is less than 60 degrees. However, most systems to handle that type of temperature well and can easily freeze.
If your air conditioner freezes up, try turning off the unit for an hour or so to let it defrost. Also, check your ducts and air filters to make sure they aren’t causing the problem. If that doesn’t solve the problem, get in touch with One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® of Elk Grove as soon as you can. Contact us online or call us at (847) 744-9447