Quick Steps to Fix a Frozen Air Conditioner

Does the air emitting from your supply registers suddenly seem not cold enough? Check the indoor portion of your air conditioner. This piece is housed inside your furnace or air handler, if you rely on a heat pump. If there’s water seeping onto the floor, there might be ice on the evaporator coil. The AC coil inside the system may have frozen over. You’ll need to melt it before it can cool your house again.

Here’s the things you should do. If you can’t get the coil defrosted, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is here to help with air conditioning repair in the U.S. backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.*

Step 1: Set the Air Conditioning to Off and the Blower On

To get started—switch the thermostat from “cool” to “off.” This stops chilled refrigerant from moving to the outdoor compressor, which could harm it and cause a pricey repair.

Next, adjust the fan from “auto” to “on.” This produces warm airflow over the frosty coils to make them melt faster. Make sure to set the cooling mode to “off” so the air conditioner doesn’t start a cooling cycle.

It may take not more than an hour or the better part of a day for the ice to thaw, depending on the level of the ice. While you’re waiting, keep an eye on the condensate pan under the AC unit. If the drain line is clogged, it can spill over as the ice melts, possibly causing water damage.

Step 2: Pinpoint the Issue

Bad airflow is a main explanation for an AC to become frozen. Here’s how to get to the bottom of the situation:

• • Inspect the filter. Inadequate airflow through a clogged filter could be the culprit. Inspect and replace the filter monthly or immediately when you notice dust accumulation.

• • Open any sealed supply vents. Your residence’s supply registers should remain open all the time. Shutting vents limits airflow over the evaporator coil, which could result in it freezing.

• • Look for covered return vents. These usually don’t use moveable louvers, but furniture, rugs or curtains can still obstruct them.

• • Insufficient refrigerant: While airflow restrictions are the most common culprit, your air conditioner might also not have enough refrigerant. Depending on how old it is, it may use Freon®. Low refrigerant calls for pro support from a certified HVAC tech. H2: Step 3: Get in Touch with an HVAC Professional at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing

If poor airflow doesn’t appear to be the issue, then another issue is causing your AC frost over. If this is what’s happening, merely thawing it out won’t take care of the problem. The evaporator coil will possibly freeze again unless you fix the main cause. Get in touch with an HVAC technician to address issues with your air conditioner, which can include:

• • Refrigerant leak: AC units continuously use refrigerant, so it shouldn’t run low. Low refrigerant means there’s a leak somewhere. Only a pro can pinpoint the leak, fix it, and recharge the system to the proper level.

• • Filthy evaporator coil: If grime collects on the coil, air can’t get to it, and it’s apt to freeze.

• • Nonfunctional blower: A faulty motor or unbalanced fan might halt airflow over the evaporator coil.

The next time your AC freezes up, get in touch with the ACE-certified professionals at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to fix the situation. We have years of experience helping homeowners diagnose their air conditioners, and we’re sure we can get things running again quickly. Contact us at 866-397-3787 to get air conditioning repair in the U.S. with us now.