How to Fix a Frozen Air Conditioner
Summer’s coming (as hard as it is to believe right now) and here’s a common scenario with the average homeowner: They’re sitting in their house, minding their own business, happily indulging a bowl of popcorn and watching Netflix, when suddenly he/she hears terrible sound; drip… drip… drip. They look over to see the cat licking at a puddle that’s gradually forming on the bathroom floor. Just like that, the mood changes: Worry, stress, and that ”oh brother!” feeling. What caused the leak?; water heater, leaky toilet, shower, faucet? Nope – the central air conditioner is frozen solid. This can happen anywhere, from Fort Lauderdale to Timbuktu, regardless of summer heat.
Why Air Conditioners Freeze
The part of the air conditioner that actually freezes is known as the evaporator coil. This component of the air conditioner transfers (evaporates) heat from the inside to the outside of your Fort Lauderdale area home. There are two primary reasons the evaporator coil may freeze:
- The restriction of the system’s airflow
- Insufficient refrigerant
Either way, the outcome is that the air conditioner’s evaporator coil will be unable to properly disperse the heat, and consequently ‘overcools’ itself. The impact of this super-cooling is condensation (that’s water formation), and over time ice forms from that condensation as it cools below the freezing point. Yep, the A/C transformed into an old-school icebox.
What Can You Do When Your A/C Freezes?
- Turn the unit completely off at the thermostat, and don’t try to thaw the system by increasing the temperature at the thermostat. Just make sure the A/C system is completely OFF.
- Do what you can to ensure airflow is not restricted. Replace the furnace or air handler’s filter along with any return air filters. Open all the registers completely and ensure that they are not obstructed by furniture or curtains.
- Call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. The air conditioning system needs to be serviced by a professional that is ACE-certified 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 freezes over it can lead to a totaled compressor. Replacing your compressor could cost as much as a downpayment on a new system. Actually, many people are forced to pick between installing a new system vs repairing the old unit. If you act quickly and call a ACE-certified technician, you have better odds of getting a less expensive emergency.
Your technician will advise you of the exact cause and how to avoid the issue from repeating in the future. If a leak was really the cause (and that is rare, but possible), the leak has to be repaired or the unit will probably freeze again.
