A common problem with air conditioning systems is that the AC coil may freeze under certain conditions. A frozen AC coil can cause a number of problemswith your cooling system, not to mention water damage! And, of course, your system won’t be able to properly cool the home if the coil is frozen — as airflow through the system will be significantly restricted.
Curious about what to look for, why a frozen AC coil happens, and what to do next? Read on!
FROZEN AC COIL: WHAT TO LOOK FOR
A few things you might notice if you have a frozen AC coil:
- Little to no airflow coming from the vents
- Water is pooling around the unit
- There is visible condensation and/or ice on the unit
WHY IS MY AC FROZEN?
It could be as simple as a dirty air filter! In that case, replacing the filter could be a very easy solution, but you might be wondering why a dirty filter could cause this. Well – dust, dirt, and debris can block the air from properly flowing through the system and your ducts. This, in turn, causes the system itself to cool down to freezing temperatures (as opposed to moving the cooled air throughout your home as designed.)
Usually, though, a frozen AC coil is a sign of a deeper problem such as a refrigerant leak, a plugged or dirty AC coil, or even a malfunctioning blower motor.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR AC COIL IS FROZEN
If you are having any of these issues, the very first thing you should do is turn off the system. This allows time for the unit to thaw out.
The main reason for this is that it’s not possible to properly diagnose and repair an air conditioning system when the coil is frozen. Our technicians recommend allowing 24 hours for the AC coil to thaw before a visit, if possible.
Also, some homeowners have found that when their AC coil is freezing — turning the system off and allowing it to defrost, then turning the system back on — can resolve the problem in the short term. However, we don’t recommend that you do this. It’s likely your AC coil will continue to freeze up each time the system is turned back on for cooling. While it may be a short term fix, it does not resolve the underlying problem in the system that is causing the coil to become frozen in the first place! It may also exacerbate any damage to the system and increase the chances of failure or water damage.
FIXING YOUR FROZEN COIL PROBLEMS: CALL AA TEMPERATURE SERVICES!
Give our dispatch office a call to set up a diagnosis visit for your equipment — this is our specialty! During your call, our dispatch team will ask you if you have turned off the system — and if so, when it was turned off — so you’ll be ready for our technician to perform the diagnosis. When our technician arrives at your home, they will diagnose your system and give you a quote for any necessary or recommended repairs, which you must approve before any work is performed. Our technicians may also advise you, based on what they find as well as the age of the system, if a replacement AC installation would be beneficial.
You can count on our HVAC specialists to fix it and get the job done right the very first time. We offer 24/7 emergency services for all of your HVAC needs. To set up your AC repair visit, you can contact us online — and for immediate service, you can call 941-766-0975.
