3 Simple Ways to Repair a Frozen Air Conditioner

Does the air coming from your supply registers unexpectedly feel warm? Check the indoor portion of your air conditioner. This component is housed within your furnace or air handler, if you have a heat pump. If there’s water dripping onto the floor, there might be frost on the evaporator coil. The AC coil in the equipment could have frozen. You’ll need to thaw it before it can cool your residence again.

Here’s the things you should do. If you can’t get the coil frost-free, Midway Services is here to support you with air conditioning repair in Clearwater backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.*

Step 1: Turn the Air Conditioning Off and the Blower On

First things first—set the thermostat from “cool” to “off.” This halts chilled refrigerant from going to the outdoor compressor, which could hurt it and cause a costly repair.

After that, switch the fan from “auto” to “on.” This makes warm airflow over the frosty coils to force them to thaw faster. Remember to set the cooling mode to “off” so the air conditioner doesn’t trigger a cooling cycle.

It may take not more than an hour or most of the day for the ice to thaw, depending on the extent of the buildup. While you’re waiting, keep an eye on the condensate pan underneath the AC unit. If the drain line is clogged, it could spill over as the ice melts, likely resulting in water damage.

Step 2: Pinpoint the Situation

Insufficient airflow is a prime explanation for an AC to freeze up. Here’s how to get to the bottom of the situation:

  • Exmaine the filter. Inadequate airflow through a filthy filter could be the problem. Check and put in a new filter once a month or immediately when you observe dust buildup.
  • Open any shut supply vents. Your residence’s supply registers should remain open all the time. Sealing vents limits airflow over the evaporator coil, which might lead it to freeze.
  • Check for blocked return vents. These usually don’t use shiftable louvers, but furniture, rugs or curtains can still obstruct them.
  • Insufficient refrigerant: While airflow restrictions are the most common cause, your system might also have insufficient refrigerant. Depending on its age, it may have Freon®. Not enough refrigerant calls for pro support from a certified HVAC technician. H2: Step 3: Get in Touch with an HVAC Pro at Midway Services

If insufficient airflow doesn’t seem to be the trouble, then another problem is causing your AC freeze up. If this is what’s going on, merely defrosting it won’t repair the issue. The evaporator coil will probably freeze again unless you take care of the main problem. Contact an HVAC professional to look for issues with your air conditioner, which can include:

  • Refrigerant leak: AC units continuously use refrigerant, so it shouldn’t get used up. Low refrigerant indicates a leak somewhere. Only a technician can locate the leak, mend it, and recharge the system to the proper level.
  • Dirty evaporator coil: If grime collects on the coil, air can’t flow over it, and it’s liable to freeze.
  • Broken blower: A defective motor or unbalanced fan can stop airflow over the evaporator coil.

When your AC freezes up, get in touch with the ACE-certified professionals at Midway Services to fix the problem. We have lots of experience helping homeowners diagnose their air conditioners, and we’re confident we can get things operating again fast. Contact us at 727-219-2471 to book air conditioning repair in Clearwater with us now.

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