3 Quick Ways to Fix a Frozen Air Conditioner
Does the air coming from your supply registers suddenly appear warm? Check the indoor portion of your air conditioner. This component is situated within your furnace or air handler, if you have a heat pump. If there’s water leaking onto the floor, there may be ice on the evaporator coil. The AC coil inside the unit may have frozen over. You’ll need to melt it before it can cool your residence again.
Here’s the things you should do. If you can’t get the coil frost-free, TML Service Experts is here to assist you with air conditioning repair in Boise 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 chilled refrigerant from moving to the outdoor compressor, which could hurt it and cause a costly repair.
Next, adjust the fan from “auto” to “on.” This produces warm airflow over the frosty coils to help them melt faster. Double check to set the cooling mode to “off” so the air conditioner doesn’t start a cooling cycle.
It may take under an hour or the better part of a day for the ice to melt, depending on the amount of the accumulation. While you’re waiting, watch the condensate pan below the AC unit. If the drain line is clogged, it may overflow as the ice melts, potentially creating water damage.
Step 2: Troubleshoot the Issue
Not enough airflow is a primary explanation for an AC to become frozen. Here’s how to get to the bottom of the problem:
- Look at the filter. Inadequate airflow through a dusty filter could be the culprit. Inspect and put in a new filter monthly or immediately when you observe dust buildup.
- Open any shut supply vents. Your house’s supply registers should be open constantly. Sealing vents reduces airflow over the evaporator coil, which may lead it to freeze.
- Check for obstructed return vents. These typically don’t use shiftable louvers, but furniture, rugs or curtains can still block them.
- Insufficient refrigerant: While airflow restrictions are the most common cause, your air conditioner might also be low on refrigerant. Depending on when it was replaced, it may rely on Freon®. Low refrigerant requires professional assistance from a certified HVAC tech. H2: Step 3: Call an HVAC Pro at TML Service Experts
If poor airflow doesn’t feel like the trouble, then something else is leading your AC frost over. If this is what’s occurring, just defrosting it won’t take care of the issue. The evaporator coil will probably keep freezing unless you take care of the underlying symptom. Contact an HVAC tech to address problems with your air conditioner, which can include:
- Refrigerant leak: AC units continuously use refrigerant, so it shouldn’t get used up. Not enough refrigerant is a sign of a leak somewhere. Only a pro can find the leak, repair it, and recharge the system to the appropriate level.
- Grimy evaporator coil: If dirt accumulates on the coil, air can’t reach it, and it’s liable to freeze.
- Malfunctioning blower: A broken motor or unbalanced fan can halt airflow over the evaporator coil.
When your AC freezes up, call on the ACE-certified pros at TML Service Experts to repair the trouble. We have years of experience helping homeowners diagnose their air conditioners, and we’re confident we can get things operating again fast. Contact us at 208-488-4892 to get air conditioning repair in Boise with us now.
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