If you turn on your air conditioner, only to find that it won’t work, take a look inside. If there’s solid ice around the coils, you’ve found your problem. A frozen air conditioner can be prevented with proper maintenance. Typically, a frozen air conditioner occurs for one of two common reasons.
- Low refrigerant levels — When refrigerant levels drop, the air cannot properly transport the air through the coil. This causes a layer of ice to build up on the coil, and the unit will stop working.
- Dirty air filter — A dirty, clogged air filter makes it impossible for air to travel through the system well. When the air can’t flow, the system will freeze.
While other obstructions can limit air flow, these are the most common problems. If your air conditioner freezes, turn it off for 30 minutes, allowing it to thaw, and change the air filter. If this doesn’t fix the problem, call an air conditioning technician to have the coolant levels checked.
How to Prevent the System from Freezing
Proper maintenance is the key to prevent your system from freezing. First, make sure you change the air filter regularly, checking it every month to see if it needs to be changed. Also, schedule a tuneup at the beginning of the cooling season. At the tuneup, your HVAC technician will check refrigerant levels and top them off if needed.
If you notice your system is freezing on a regular basis and needs the refrigerant levels topped off regularly, you may need to consider a replacement. Your HVAC technician will help you determine if it is time to consider a new air conditioner, because you may have a leak.
If you’re struggling with a frozen air conditioner in your Dayton home, contact Ace Hardware Home Services for comprehensive air conditioning services. Let our team inspect your system to determine the cause and help you thaw out your air conditioner, so you can enjoy a cool, comfortable summer.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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