One common air conditioner issue homeowners face is freezing issues with their AC units. This can prevent the unit from cooling your home effectively, leaving you uncomfortable in the summer months. In this blog, the AC experts at Raynor Services will discuss some easy ways to tell if your AC unit is experiencing this problem.
If you’re dealing with this issue, you’ll want to get it fixed as soon as possible. For homeowners who want to know if a frozen AC unit will fix itself, unfortunately, it will not. It will need attention from a professional. You can turn it off in the meantime to prevent further damage (especially to the compressor).
Main Causes of an AC Unit Freezing
Bad Airflow and/or Fan Problems
If airflow is restricted to the unit, this can cause the unit and evaporator coil to work harder, which can lead to system freezing. Similarly, if your air filters are clogged, it can cause a similar problem since clogged filters will prevent proper airflow into the unit.
The units are designed to work optimally with a certain level of airflow, which typically helps with cooling and pressure. Any deviation from this amount of airflow would cause freezing and other problems.
When there’s not enough airflow, it causes the fans to sit still, and in some cases, water drips on the system and the evaporator coils can freeze.
You can check your air filter as a DIY step and replace it as needed. The technicians at Raynor Services can also check airflow, your air filter, and your unit’s fan speed. Having a professional do this step is better since you may not know your unit’s optimal airflow or how to access the fan.
Bad or Dirty Evaporator Coils
Your AC helps filter unwanted particles out of your home’s air. As we mentioned, a clogged or blocked air filter can cause freezing issues, but another aspect to consider is the evaporator coil itself.
Since the AC filter doesn’t catch everything, and a bad filter especially won’t, the evaporator coils may end up covered in air particles and grime over time. You can check for dirt and sludge on the coils or do a deep clean, but you’ll need to know what you’re doing. Alternatively, you can leave this job to the professionals.
Turn your AC off. This is an important step since you’ll be looking inside the unit. You can carefully brush or scrub the buildup off the coils using a mild cleanser or soft brush. Don’t use too much pressure, or you’ll risk damaging the smaller metal pieces.
If you’re unsure how to do this, reach out to us. It’s better to call in a trained technician than risk damaging any components.
Low Refrigerant Levels
If you’ve determined that your freezing AC unit isn’t caused by airflow, air filter, or dirty evaporator coil problems, the last common place to check is your refrigerant line. If your refrigerant level is too low, it can be a sign that the line is covered in ice.
You’ll need a qualified HVAC technician or company for this check, though. You don’t want to mess with the unit’s refrigerant levels unless you’re a trained professional.
The refrigerant, commonly Freon, is highly susceptible to pressure and temperature changes. If either one changes drastically, it may affect your AC unit’s ability to cool.
If the pressure gets too low, the Freon becomes much colder than usual, which is a common reason why AC units freeze. The water on the evaporator coils will become much colder and freeze.
Need AC Unit Help in New Jersey? Call Raynor Services To Help With Your Frozen AC Today
If you’re dealing with a frozen AC unit in the Southern New Jersey area, reach out to us today for help. We can get your AC back to working condition.
These issues are generally beyond a DIY fix and require professional assistance, so if you’re worried about them, call us for help now. And if your unit breaks down on a hot summer day, don’t worry — we can also assist with emergency repairs.
If you’re looking to prevent a frozen AC unit through regular service or maintenance, we can also help. We’ll provide you with a fair price, regardless of the need. Regular maintenance can prevent larger issues and expensive repairs, so it’s a great idea to keep up with it.
Call or contact Raynor Services online today for professional help with your frozen AC unit issues.
