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 a movie, when suddenly he/she hears terrible sound; drip... drip... drip. They glance over to see the dog licking at a puddle that's gradually forming on the dining room floor. Just like that, the mood changes: Worry, stress, and that sinking feeling. What caused the leak?; water heater, leaky toilet, shower, faucet? No – it's the air conditioner of all things. This can occur anywhere, from Livermore to Thailand, regardless of climate.

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 Livermore area home. Usually there are two factors why the evaporator coil may freeze:

1. Airflow restriction
2. Insufficient refrigerant

Either way, the outcome is that the air conditioner's evaporator coil does not properly disperse the heat, and in essence '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?

1. Turn the A/C 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.
2. Check to ensure that the airflow around your system is unrestricted. Replace the furnace or air handler's filter as well as any return air filters. Open all the registers completely and confirm that they are not blocked by furniture or curtains.
3. Call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. The air conditioning system needs to be professionally inspected 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 turn into a pricey repair. When your AC ices over it can lead to a compressor replacement. Replacing your compressor could cost as much as a downpayment on a high efficiency model. Actually, many homeowners are forced to decide between installing a new system vs repairing the old unit. If you follow the steps above and quickly call a ACE-certified technician, you stand a better chance of having a less expensive job.