Why Is My Air Conditioner Frozen?

by | Sep 15, 2022

By A Quality DR.WattsC

It can be distressing when your AC unit is frozen with summer a few short months away. You may be wondering how long it will take for your frozen air conditioner to thaw. We know that you need your air conditioner soon, so we are here to help you find the cause of your frozen AC unit and provide a suitable solution. Dr. Watts Electric, Heating & Air can help you know how to unfreeze an air conditioner. When you call our experts to your home, we will inspect your unit and show you how to prevent this from happening in the future. We are all about long-term fixes.

Contact us for more information on how to unfreeze your AC unit.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Frozen?

One of the best ways to find a solution to a problem is to first find the cause. If we are to find a way to prevent your AC unit from freezing up, we have to inspect your unit for possible reasons. Here are 5 possible reasons for a frozen AC unit.

Inadequate Airflow

A common cause of a frozen air conditioner is the improper flow of air. Clogged or damaged ductwork will prevent warm air from your home from flowing over the evaporator coil. This will lead to condensation and eventually ice. It is best to let an expert HVAC technician inspect your unit for damaged ducts. If this is the problem, we can have your ductwork and AC repaired in no time. Leave it to the professionals at Dr. Watts Electric, Heating & Air.

Dirty Air Filter

Air filters should be changed every one to three months. A dirty filter can cause a long list of problems for your AC unit. If you neglect your air filters, your AC unit becomes clogged with dirt, and this inhibits the proper flow of air. This will lead to ice forming on your evaporator coil. Change your air filter regularly to prevent this from happening. You will also save yourself a world of additional problems.

Low Refrigerant Levels

If you have low refrigerant levels, you may have a leak in your ductwork. This may cause ice to build up on your air conditioning unit. Low refrigerant levels will stop your unit from functioning properly and lead to a decrease in air pressure, resulting in a layer of ice over your evaporator coil. Call us, and we will look for a refrigerant leak in your HVAC system. Fixing the leak will also result in lower electricity bills and effective cooling. This may be why your air conditioning is frozen.

Problematic Blower Fan

You may not have enough air flowing over your evaporator coil as a result of a faulty blower fan. If you think this is the reason for your frozen AC unit, be sure to call one of the technicians to repair or replace your blower fan. Not only will a broken blower fan cause a buildup of ice, but it will also hinder your cooling cycles. Our AC professionals have the necessary skills to find a solution to your damaged blower fan.

Clogged Condensate Drain Line

An AC unit draws heat and humidity from your indoor air and transports it outside. This moist air collects water in your drain pan and then gets transferred to your drain system through your condensate drain line. If this line gets blocked, your drain pan will overflow, and it may freeze if your evaporator coil is too cold. Our technicians can clean and unblock your condensate line to prevent your drain pan from flooding. It is best to leave this tricky fix to a trained HVAC technician.

How to Unfreeze Your AC Unit

There is something you can do to unfreeze your AC unit so that you can use it when you need it most. We don’t recommend that you use your AC unit while it is frozen. This could lead to more serious damage to your unit. Firstly, ensure that your thermostat is set from COOL to OFF. Then turn your fan setting to ON. Lastly, you can replace your air filter if it is dirty.

If these quick fixes don’t solve the problem, or the problem returns after a while, you will need expert HVAC assistance. Dr. Watts Electric, Heating & Air is happy to help you unfreeze your AC unit.

Trustworthy AC Repairs and Maintenance

You can prevent a frozen AC unit by sticking to your AC tune-ups every year. Contact us if you would like to know more about our air conditioning maintenance services.

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