You obviously do not need us to tell you that your air conditioner is there to keep your home cool. Just keep in mind the fact that your air conditioner is not a freezer. Sure, both may provide a cool environment, but the development of ice on your air conditioning system is not a sign that it is working effectively. In fact, it means that something is wrong with your system.
There are a few reasons as to why your air conditioner may develop ice on its evaporator coil. If yours does, be sure to contact us right away. It may not be a terribly serious problem, but it could also be a situation posing a threat to the integrity of your air conditioner in Miami, FL.
The “Good”
There is really no such thing as a good problem with your air conditioner, of course. However, there are problems that are far less serious than others, and which have pretty simple fixes. Take, for instance, one of the most common causes of a frozen evaporator coil: a dirty air filter.
If your air filter is very dirty, it will restrict airflow throughout your home cooling system. Now, the evaporator coil in your AC is the component in which refrigerant evaporates, absorbing heat from the air as it does so. If there is not sufficient airflow over the coil, then it can get too cold. This can lead the condensation that has collected on the coil to freezer. The layer of ice further insulates the coil, compounding the problem. To resolve the situation, though, you need only replace the air filter with a clean one, and do more regularly.
The “Bad”
Not all problems with your air conditioner will have as simple a resolution as changing an air filter. Most will, in fact, require professional intervention. This is certainly the case with another common cause of air conditioner ice: refrigerant leaks.
Refrigerant is evaporated in the evaporator coil in order to facilitate the heat transfer process. If you have a low refrigerant level in your system, too little heat transfer will take place, causing the icing described above. Having the leaks sealed and your refrigerant recharged will be necessary.
Contact One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating® of Miami to schedule any necessary air conditioning services.