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I can't believe my air conditioner is frozen! It's been over 90 degrees for days on end.
As crazy as this sounds, this happens all too frequently. Even with seasonal maintenance and changing your filter regularly, it can happen. Here's some information on WHY it happens, and some tips on how to handle a frozen AC when it DOES happen.

Lack of air flow – this is one of the most common reasons many air conditioners freeze up. Anytime you have limited airflow (dirty filters or undersized ducts) you are running the risk of causing the temperature of your AC’s cooling coil to drop below freezing. Basically, as warm air moves through your return ducts, it passes over extremely cold refrigerant coil to drop off its heat. While it comes into contact with the coil, moisture in the air condenses. Normally it will roll right off into the drain line. However, if the AC’s airflow is compromised, the water will not move and will end up freezing to the coil! Normally, changing the filters is enough to fix this problem. If your air conditioner is freezing up due to undersized ducts, you should call Home Comfort Experts and have one of our expert technicians take a look at your problem and offer their suggestions.

Refrigerant leaks – the amount of refrigerant in your air conditioner has to be carefully balanced if you want to keep your air conditioner running smoothly. If there is too little refrigerant in your coil, it will not be able to absorb enough heat and will end up freezing.

Outdoor temperature – summer is supposed to be hot, but when it gets especially cold at night, there is a chance that your air conditioner could freeze up. Air conditioners don’t do well when temperatures are below 60 F. Fortunately, at these temperatures you don’t really even need to use your AC at all! If temperatures drop this low, turn off the AC and throw open the windows. You’ll save your air conditioner, and save some money at the same time!

How to Fix a Frozen Air Conditioner - To fix a frozen air conditioner, first you have to figure out what caused it to freeze up in the first place. Regardless of the cause, the first thing you should do if your air conditioner is frozen is turn it off and let it defrost – this will prevent any serious damage to the system. Next, check all the air filters in your home to see if they are dirty or blocked. If they are dirty, clean or replace them.

Check back in 24 hours – if there is no more ice on your compressor, changing the filters solved the problem. If a lack of refrigerant has caused your air conditioner to freeze, talk to us about correcting the levels. Our experts will know exactly how much refrigerant you’ll need in your system to ensure optimal air conditioner operation. In addition, if your air conditioner is freezing due to a refrigerant leak, we'll be able to fix it. There’s also the chance that your defrost timer is broken, which can also be addressed by our technician.

If any of the above troubleshooting tips do not correct the problem, Call the experts at Home Comfort Experts and we'll provide a professional technician to service and repair your unit and keep you comfortable all summer long!