Does the air flowing from your supply registers suddenly seem not cold enough? Look at the indoor part of your air conditioner. This component is housed inside your furnace or air handler, if you use a heat pump. If there’s water dripping onto the floor, there could be crystals on the evaporator coil. The AC coil inside the system might have frosted over. You’ll need to melt it before it can cool your home again.
Here’s the things you should do. If you can’t get the coil frost-free, BW/Cook Service Experts is here to help with air conditioning repair in Elkhart backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.*
Step 1: Set the Air Conditioning to Off and the Blower On
First things first—switch the thermostat from “cool” to “off.” This halts chilled refrigerant from going to the outdoor compressor, which could damage it and cause an expensive repair.
Then, adjust the fan from “auto” to “on.” This creates heated airflow over the frosty coils to help them thaw faster. Double check to set the cooling mode to “off” so the air conditioner doesn’t trigger a cooling cycle.
It may take less than an hour or the better part of a day for the ice to thaw, depending on the level of the accumulation. While you’re waiting, keep an eye on the condensate pan underneath the AC unit. If the drain line is obstructed, it can cause a mess as the ice melts, likely creating water damage.
Step 2: Troubleshoot the Issue
Not enough airflow is a main explanation for an AC to become frozen. Here’s how to figure out the situation:
- Look at the filter. Inadequate airflow through a clogged filter could be the problem. Inspect and put in a new filter once a month or immediately when you notice a layer of dust.
- Open any sealed supply vents. Your home’s supply registers should stay open constantly. Sealing vents decreases airflow over the evaporator coil, which may cause it to freeze.
- Be on the lookout for blocked return vents. These usually don’t use shiftable louvers, but furniture, rugs or curtains can still cover them.
- Insufficient refrigerant: While airflow restrictions are the most common suspect, your system could also not have enough refrigerant. Depending on when it was installed, it may use Freon®. Low refrigerant requires pro assistance from a certified HVAC specialist. H2: Step 3: Call an HVAC Pro at BW/Cook Service Experts
If insufficient airflow doesn’t appear to be the trouble, then another issue is causing your AC freeze. If this is what’s going on, just defrosting it won’t repair the trouble. The evaporator coil is likely to keep freezing unless you repair the root symptom. Call an HVAC tech to check for issues with your air conditioner, which might include:
- Refrigerant leak: AC units keep using refrigerant, so it shouldn’t run low. Insufficient refrigerant signals a leak somewhere. Only a professional can pinpoint the leak, fix it, and recharge the system to the correct amount.
- Filthy evaporator coil: If dirt accumulates on the coil, air can’t flow over it, and it’s likely to freeze.
- Malfunctioning blower: A broken motor or unbalanced fan could stop airflow over the evaporator coil.
If your AC freezes up, get in touch with the ACE-certified technicians at BW/Cook Service Experts to fix the situation. We have lots of experience helping homeowners diagnose their air conditioners, and we’re confident we can get things operating again in no time. Contact us at 574-218-6404 to schedule air conditioning repair in Elkhart with us right away.
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