The summer months in Northwest Florida can be extremely hot and humid. One of the last things you want to deal with is a frozen AC unit during the middle of a heat wave. Understanding the key causes of why your air conditioner may be freezing is the key to troubleshooting or seeking professional assistance. This is a problem that you don’t want to ignore, as it can lead to permanent damage.
What Does It Mean When Your AC Freezes Up?
When your air conditioning system freezes up, you’ll be able to see visible ice forming on the evaporator coil or even on the refrigerant lines. The refrigerant inside the coil and lines isn’t properly absorbing heat from inside your home. The refrigerant will get so cold that it will freeze up the coil. The cause of this issue may be inadequate airflow, low refrigerant levels, or dirty components. If you continue to run your air conditioning system when it has a frozen coil, it can lead to component damage. The efficiency of your cooling system may decrease.
Common Reasons Your AC Keeps Freezing
There are many different reasons that your air conditioning system may have a frozen evaporator coil. One of the most obvious is restricted airflow. This can be caused by a dirty or clogged air filter in your system. When there’s too much debris inside your HVAC filter, air cannot easily pass through. This restriction on air movement makes it much harder for your air conditioning system to move air over its evaporator coil. Without enough airflow, there isn’t enough heat for the coil to absorb.
If you have blocked or closed registers or vents throughout your home, it can also reduce air flow throughout your ducting and cause frozen coils. In some cases, the issue may have to do with your blower fan. If it’s not circulating air properly, your coil can get too cold and freeze.
Another potential reason that your evaporator coil might be freezing is that it’s simply dirty. If the surface of the coil has too much grime and debris on it, heat won’t be able to transfer from the air to the coil. The refrigerant will simply circulate around the coil and cause it to freeze up.
Refrigerant levels must be sufficient and at the right pressure for your air conditioning system to operate correctly. Pressure can drop because of a low amount of refrigerant, which is the result of a leak in the lines or fittings. These issues allow the coil to get colder. As moisture from the air develops on the surface of the coil, it can freeze.
What You Can Do Before Calling a Professional
When you experience a frozen evaporator coil, one of the first things you want to do is turn off your air conditioning system. Continuing to run it can lead to internal damage that is expensive to repair. Take a moment to pull out your HVAC air filter and hold it up to a light. If you can’t see through the filter, it needs to be replaced with a new one. Filter replacements should occur every 30 to 90 days. If it’s been a while since you last replaced your filter, you may have found the problem causing your freezing AC.
If your HVAC filter is still in good condition, the next thing you want to check is all your vents. Make sure that the vents are completely open and unobstructed from things like furniture or rugs.
Even though you can wait for your evaporator coil to thaw to restart your unit, it’s possible you will just experience the same problem again. It’s important to get to the root cause of the issue and repair it before turning your system back on. It’s best to contact one of our professionals for assistance if you experience issues repeatedly.
When to Call The Green Air Group for AC Repair
The Green Air Group is your go-to expert when it comes to prompt air conditioner repair. We offer both same-day and 24/7 emergency repair services for when those major heat waves hit the area. All our technicians are fully NATE-certified to bring you peace of mind. We service central air conditioners, ductless mini-splits, and heat pumps, regardless of brand name or model number. We can even provide air conditioner maintenance, installation, and replacement services.
Our locally owned and operated business is BBB accredited with an A+ rating. If you suspect that your air conditioning system has low refrigerant, dirty coils, or component damage, we offer expert diagnostics. Financing is available on approved credit.
Contact The Green Air Group in Freeport at the first sign of a frozen AC unit.
24/7 Emergency Service
850-608-3065Frequently Asked Questions
Whether it’s about a frozen air conditioning unit or routine maintenance, we get a lot of questions from our clients. Below, we’ll answer some of the most frequent questions we receive regarding AC repair services.
Why does my AC keep freezing up even after I thaw it?
If your air conditioning system keeps freezing up after you thaw it out, then there’s an underlying issue that is not being addressed. The problem may be a failing blower motor, a dirty air filter, or even low refrigerant. Until the root cause of your problem is repaired, your system will continue to freeze up.
Can I run my AC if it's frozen?
You should never run your air conditioning system if it’s frozen. Doing so can lead to internal damage to the compressor. Running a frozen air conditioner restricts airflow and puts strain on your system. Repairs may be expensive, or replacement may be necessary.
Is a frozen AC caused by low refrigerant?
One cause of a frozen air conditioner may be low refrigerant. If there’s a refrigerant leak, the pressure inside the coil becomes too low and allows the moisture that develops on the coil to freeze up quickly. Low refrigerant is just one of several causes of a frozen air conditioner that you should be aware of.
How do I prevent my AC from freezing up in the future?
One of the best ways to prevent your AC from freezing up in the future is by scheduling routine maintenance. When our professionals come out, they’ll take care of cleaning your coils and ensure that you have a proper amount of refrigerant in your system. You also need to change your air filter regularly and ensure that all your air vents are completely open and unobstructed.
How do I schedule AC repair service with The Green Air Group?
You can request professional air conditioner repair service from The Green Air Group in two different ways. The fastest method is to give us a call over the phone and let us know what’s going on with your cooling system. You can also visit our website to schedule a repair appointment that fits your schedule.
