Dealing with a frozen air conditioner can be pretty frustrating. Not to mention how odd it seems for an AC unit to freeze up in warm weather, right? But there are actually several reasons this might happen. Fortunately, our team at Loveland Heating & Air is here to walk you through the common causes and help you troubleshoot a frozen AC unit.
Step 1: Maintaining Composure
First and foremost, it’s important to stay calm in the chaos. Don’t worry, you’ve got this. And if for some reason, you still need us to come and take a look at your unit for you, your Loveland Heating & Air family is here to help and bring some much-needed relief! Let’s tackle this problem together.
Step 2: Initiating Troubleshooting
Dealing with Insufficient Airflow: If your AC unit isn’t getting enough airflow or if there is an obstruction to the HVAC vents, this can often lead to your air conditioner freezing up. This is because clogged air filters or blocked vents cause cool air to build up, leading to the refrigerant freezing on the coils and reducing airflow even more.
Resolution: You should regularly inspect and replace your air filters every 1-3 months. But just to be sure during this particular troubleshooting process, make it a point to check your air filters as well. Furthermore, you should also ensure all your HVAC vents are open and don’t have any blockages in front of them that can restrict airflow.
Dealing with Incorrect Thermostat Settings: Sometimes, your thermostat might be set too low. If your home’s temperature is super low, it can make your air conditioner work too hard to keep up, causing it to freeze up.
Resolution: Just turning up the thermostat a bit can fix this. Plus, (if you don’t have one already) adding a smart thermostat can really help manage your home’s temperature efficiently, easing the load on your air conditioner. With a smart thermostat, you can set it to match your comfort preferences, so your home is always cozy and just the way you like it when you’re there.
Balancing Refrigerant Levels: If your refrigerant levels are off, it can cause your AC to freeze up. Basically, when your AC’s coolant isn’t balanced right, the evaporator can get super cold, causing moisture to freeze and ice to build up.
Resolution: It’s best to leave refrigerant issues to the professionals. Licensed HVAC technicians have the right tools to safely check and manage your AC’s refrigerant levels. So, if you think there’s a problem with your refrigerant, just give us a call!
It’s good to know the signs of low refrigerant or leak refrigerant:
- Hearing strange bubbling or hissing sounds when the AC is off
- Not getting enough cool air from your AC
- Noticing ice on the refrigerant lines
Step 3: Seeking Professional Consultation
If the freezing problem is still a mystery or hasn’t been fixed, or if there’s a refrigerant issue, it’s time to call a licensed HVAC pro. Ignoring it can stress your AC and cause avoidable damage – definitely something you don’t want. So, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!
Step 4: Thawing the Unit
If you spot ice on your AC unit, it’s time to take action to get it working again. First things first, you’ll need to thaw it out. This is important even if you’re waiting for a professional to check it out, since a frozen unit is tough to diagnose and fix.
For a safe defrosting process:
- Turn off your air conditioner at the thermostat.
- Set your fan from ‘auto’ to ‘on’ to start thawing.
- Keep an eye on the melting ice to avoid water damage nearby.
- Be patient—thawing can take a few hours to a whole day, depending on how much ice there is.
Still need professional HVAC help? We will gladly come to your aid! Don’t hesitate to reach out to us. It would be a pleasure to service your home!
Call Loveland Heating & Air today at (513) 216-5913 or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
