Quick Steps for Fixing a Frozen Air Conditioner

Does the air emitting from your supply registers suddenly seem hot? Look at the indoor component of your air conditioner. This component is situated in your furnace or air handler, if you use a heat pump. If there’s water dripping onto the floor, there could be frost on the evaporator coil. The AC coil within the system might have frozen. You’ll need to defrost it before it can cool your residence again.

Here’s what to do. If you can’t get the coil back to normal, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is here to help with air conditioning repair in the U.S. that includes a a 100% satisfaction guarantee.*

Step 1: Turn the Air Conditioning Off and the Blower On

First things first—move the thermostat from “cool” to “off.” This halts chilly refrigerant from going to the outdoor compressor, which could hurt it and result in an expensive repair.

Next, move the fan from “auto” to “on.” This makes warm airflow over the frozen coils to force them to melt faster. Double check to set the cooling mode to “off” so the air conditioner doesn’t trigger a cooling cycle.

It could take under an hour or most of the day for the ice to thaw, depending on the amount of the accumulation. While you’re waiting, check the condensate pan below the AC unit. If the drain line is blocked, it might cause a mess as the ice melts, possibly creating water damage.

Step 2: Diagnose the Situation

Poor airflow is a main explanation for an AC to frost over. Here’s how to troubleshoot the situation:

• • Check the filter. Inadequate airflow through a clogged filter could be the culprit. Check and change the filter once a month or as soon as you notice dust buildup.

• • Open any closed supply vents. Your house’s supply registers should remain open always. Sealing vents decreases airflow over the evaporator coil, which might result in it freezing.

• • Check for blocked return vents. These often don’t come with moveable louvers, but furniture, rugs or curtains can still cover them.

• • Low refrigerant: While airflow restrictions are the most common culprit, your air conditioning might also not have enough refrigerant. Depending on how old it is, it may have Freon®. Low refrigerant requires pro assistance from a certified HVAC tech. H2: Step 3: Contact an HVAC Technician at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing

If poor airflow doesn’t seem to be the issue, then something else is leading your AC freeze. If this is what’s happening, merely thawing it out won’t fix the issue. The evaporator coil is likely to keep freezing unless you repair the underlying cause. Contact an HVAC technician to check for troubles with your air conditioner, which can include:

• • Refrigerant leak: AC units continuously use refrigerant, so it shouldn’t run out. Low refrigerant means there’s a leak somewhere. Only a specialist can find the leak, fix it, and recharge the system to the proper level.

• • Filthy evaporator coil: If dust builds up on the coil, air can’t reach it, and it’s liable to freeze.

• • Nonfunctional blower: A defective motor or unbalanced fan may stop airflow over the evaporator coil.

The next time your AC freezes up, get in touch with the ACE-certified specialists at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to repair the trouble. We have years of experience helping homeowners check their air conditioners, and we’re certain we can get things operating again quickly. Contact us at 866-397-3787 to schedule air conditioning repair in the U.S. with us right away.