Most people take their air conditioning for granted until it starts acting up that is! If your AC is freezing, the issue can sometimes be easily resolved. But if it can’t, make sure to call an experienced HVAC technician like our team at Super Heat & Air.
Is your AC freezing? Here are the top reasons why!
Why AC Units Freeze Up
The evaporator coil is responsible for transferring heat from inside your home to the outside and it is the component that freezes up.
Reasons it may freeze include:
#1. Dirty Air Filter
Your AC can freeze up due to a dirty air filter. The filter catches air pollutants before they enter your home’s air ducts. Over time, these pollutants and allergens can build up in your air filter, thus restricting airflow.
When a dirty air filter restricts airflow, the condensation from the air’s humidity will start to freeze over the AC coils instead of dripping into the drip pan. The longer the filter remains dirty, the thicker the layer of ice will become.
Try replacing your air filters to allow air to flow freely throughout your home.
#2. Refrigerant Leaks
If the side panels of the condenser unit are freezing up, you could have a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant is too low, the evaporator coils will get too cold. Air that comes in contact with the evaporator coil will freeze.
Frost on the condenser unit is only one of the signs of a refrigerant leak though. If in addition to freezing you hear a hissing sound and the inside of your home is humid, call a technician from Super Heat & Air right away. Extended exposure to refrigerant can result in poisoning.
#3. Mechanical Issues
If there is a mechanical issue with your air conditioner’s fan, this can restrict airflow and cause your air conditioner to freeze up.
The fan works to help the cold air get to where it needs to be and transport warm air outside. If the fan isn’t working properly, the airflow will be disrupted, and too much condensation can build up on the coils.
Just as with dirty air filters, the water droplets can build up and start freezing on the coils.
#4. Dirty Air Ducts
If your air ducts are dirty, you guessed it, they can cause your system to freeze. Anything that blocks airflow can end up causing your AC to freeze up, and your air ducts are no exception.
Your air conditioner keeps your home cool by removing heat from it. If there is insufficient airflow, this heat exchange cannot take place. This can cause the evaporator coil to freeze.
If you haven’t had your air ducts cleaned in a while, you may want to consider calling Super Heat & Air to have your air ducts professionally cleaned.
#5. Blocked Condensate Line
All the water that drips from your HVAC unit is drained out of your home through a small pipe called a condensate line.
Even if everything else is working properly, with time, this pipe can gather sludge inside it, and eventually will clog completely. Since this water has no place to go, it will start freezing on your coils.
The Importance of HVAC Maintenance
If any of the above problems tell you anything, it’s that proper HVAC maintenance is key to keeping your system running properly. Don’t let problems add up. We recommend having preventative maintenance performed on your system at least twice a year, if not more in our humid climate in Florida.
Learn More > What You Need to Do if Your AC is Leaking Refrigerant
Tampa HVAC Repair and Maintenance
Keep your HVAC system running smoothly and schedule maintenance with our team at Super Heat & Air! We will inspect every inch of your system and ensure that it is working properly and efficiently all year long.
Scheduled maintenance today; (813) 279-8213 !
