It is never good to find that the air conditioner has been frozen over. Preventing efficient cooling is when the ice freezes up the unit, which indicates a problem. Since this issue is more common than people realize, we at Ambient Heating & Air Conditioning would like to elaborate on the subject.
Weak Airflow from Vents
Among the most common reasons why the A/C will freeze over, is the lack of airflow. With many problems contributing to the little airflow from the blower motor to the air intake, it can be difficult to pinpoint the cause. Should anything impede the airflow system, it stops warm air from flowing over the coils while the compressor continues run.
Bad Ductwork
To distribute the air throughout the home, air ducts are needed. The air flow is naturally blocked from the coils if the ducts are not operating efficiently. No matter if the system is running smoothly, collapsed or blocked air duct in your home can cause your cooling system to lose the airflow. The coils begin to freeze because there’s not enough warm air to keep them at the optimal temperature.
Faulty AC Blower Motor
On the system, the blower motor makes a major impact. Whether it’s the spinning motor itself or the blower motor’s run capacitor, should the blower fan stops blowing then the air stops flowing quickly enough over the coils. The coils freeze once the air stops blowing. You are likely to hear irregular or rattling sounds from your air conditioner should your blower motor is in the process of failing.
HVAC Low Voltage Troubleshooting
When the air conditioner requires electricity to a variety of high-power components to run, the A/C becomes a central part of your summer power. Additionally, issues can occur when your fan or blower motor are under-powered while the compressor keeps running.
Clogged Air Filter
Intake filters can also be the issue at hand. It is all too common for the filters to be neglected, which is a big mistake. The filters are designed to collect the filth in the air. Once they are filled to capacity, the airflow is heavily restricted, leading to the frozen coils.
Dust Buildup on AC Coils
Often dampened from moist air condensing on the cold surface, layers dust on the refrigerant coils become compacted with debris. This thick blanket creates insulation that traps the cold inside the coils themselves, leading to frozen coils.
Low Refrigerant Symptoms
Ice can form on the unit when the refrigerant lows. The level of refrigerant inside your coils matters significantly due to the A/C managing pressure. The refrigerant is compressed once the collected heat is released. Once the warm air converts liquid refrigerant into a gas, the pressure drops. The compressor will compress the refrigerant and pumps it toward the blower fan inside the house again from there. In the event there isn’t enough refrigerant in the system and due to the lack of pressure, the conversion occurs too early. The condenses moisture on the coils instantly freezes without enough cold in the moment.
Emergency Air Conditioning Repairs, Replacement, Tune Up Maintenance & More in Springfield, Granby, Holyoke, South Hadley, Monson, Chicopee & Agawam Massachusetts
Immediately shut it off from the thermostat should you find your A/C unit has frozen over. Doing so prevents further damage and lets the ice thaw. As soon as possible, schedule an appointment with a professional. Ambient Heating & Air Conditioning is readily available to assist you if you find ice on your air conditioning unit.