How to Fix a Frozen Air Conditioner
Summer’s coming (as hard as it is to believe right now) and here’s an often cited scenario with the average homeowner: They’re sitting in their house, minding their own business, having a bowl of popcorn and watching their favorite TV show, when they notice that dreadful sound; drip… drip… drip. They turn their head to see the dog licking at a puddle that’s slowly forming on the kitchen floor. In a flash: Anxiety, stress, and that “how much will this cost?” feeling. Where did the leak come from?; water heater, leaky toilet, shower, faucet? No – it’s the air conditioner of all things. This can strike anywhere, from Calgary to Africa, regardless of weather.
Why Air Conditioners Freeze
The part of the air conditioner that actually freezes is known as the evaporator coil. This component of the air conditioner transfers (evaporates) heat from the inside to the outside of your Calgary area home. The two main reasons why the evaporator coil may freeze:
- Airflow restriction
- Lack of sufficient refrigerant
Either way, the outcome is that the air conditioner’s evaporator coil will be unable to properly dissipate heat, and in essence ‘overcools’ itself. The net effect of this super-cooling is condensation (that’s water formation), and finally ice forms from that condensation as it cools below the freezing point. Yep, the A/C just turned into an old-school icebox.
What Should You Do When Your A/C Freezes?
- Turn the A/C completely off at the thermostat, and don’t try to thaw the system by increasing the temperature at the thermostat. Just make sure the A/C system is completely OFF.
- Check to ensure that the airflow around your system is unrestricted. Replace the furnace or air handler’s filter along with any return air filters. Open all the registers completely and confirm that they are not impeded by furniture or drapery.
- Call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. The air conditioning system needs to be serviced by a professional that is ACE-certified to ensure there are no refrigerant leaks or damage to the equipment. Simply schedule a Performance Inspection or Repair Diagnostic online, or call to talk to a live person right away.
What Does it Cost to Repair?
This can lead to an expensive repair. When your unit freezes over it can lead to damage to the compressor. Replacing your compressor could easily cost as much as a downpayment on a high efficiency model. Actually, many homeowners are forced to decide between installing a new system or repairing the old unit. If you act quickly and call a certified technician, you have better odds of having a less expensive job.
Your technician will diagnose the situation and how to avoid the issue from occurring in the future. If a leak exists (and that is rare, but possible), the leak has to be repaired or the unit will probably freeze again.