How to Fix a Frozen Air Conditioner 

Summer’s coming (as hard as it is to believe right now) and here’s a typical scenario with the average homeowner: They’re sitting in their house, minding their own business, happily indulging a bowl of popcorn and watching their favorite TV show, when they notice that dreadful sound; drip… drip… drip. They look over to see the household pet licking at a puddle that’s gradually forming on the kitchen floor. Just like that, the mood changes: Anxiety, stress, and that ”oh brother!” feeling. What caused the leak?; water heater, leaky toilet, shower, faucet? Nope – the air conditioning equipment may be frozen. This can happen anywhere, from Columbus to Timbuktu, regardless of summer heat. 

Why Air Conditioners Freeze 

The evaporator coil is the component of a central A/C unit that actually freezes. This component of the air conditioner transfers (evaporates) heat from the inside to the outside of your Columbus area home. Usually there are two factors why the evaporator coil may freeze: 

  1. The restriction of the system’s airflow 
  1. Lack of sufficient refrigerant 

Either way, the outcome is that the air conditioner’s evaporator coil does not properly transfer heat, and in effect ‘overcools’ itself. The net effect of this super-cooling is condensation (that’s water formation), and eventually ice forms from that condensation as it cools below the freezing point. In other words, the A/C just turned into an old-school icebox. 

What Might You Do When Your A/C Freezes? 

  • Turn the unit completely off at the thermostat, and do not increase the thermostat temperature as a way to melt the frost on the coils. Ensure the A/C system is completely OFF. 
  • Do what you can to ensure airflow is not restricted. Replace the furnace or air handler’s filter as well as any return air filters. Open all the registers completely and ensure that they are not obstructed by furniture or drapes. 
  • Call Stevenson Service Experts. The air conditioning system needs to be inspected by an ACE-certified professional 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 air conditioner ices over it can lead to a totaled compressor. Replacing your compressor could easily cost as much as a downpayment on a brand new air conditioner. In fact, many homeowners are forced to pick between installing a new system vs repairing the damaged model. If you act quickly and call a ACE-certified technician, you have better odds of getting a less expensive repair. 

Your technician will advise you of the exact cause and how to avoid the issue from repeating 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. 

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