As unbelievable as it may sound, your air conditioner can freeze up during the height of summer. You may notice an ice buildup close to the outdoor unit or near other parts of your AC system. A frozen air conditioner may blow warm air or no air at all into your rooms. Read on to learn the primary reasons behind an AC unit freezing up in summer and how to address the problem.
Low Airflow
Warm air from your home blows over the evaporator coil, allowing the refrigerant contained in the evaporator to absorb heat from the air. If there’s insufficient warm air blowing across the coil, the refrigerant becomes too cold. As a result, the refrigerant line can freeze, creating an instance of the AC unit freezing up in summer. This low airflow can be caused by:
- A clogged filter
- A blower-fan issue
- A dirty evaporator coil
- Leaky or collapsed ducts
- Blocked or closed air vents
To remedy the situation, you should:
- Turn your thermostat off.
- Turn your fan setting to “ON.” Wait for three to four hours, then turn the AC back to “COOL.” Leaving the fan on during this period will add airflow, which can help make the ice start thawing.
- Replace your AC filter if it’s dirty.
- Make sure the supply and return vents are unobstructed. Also, ensure your return vents are clean.
- Call an HVAC professional to check whether your ductwork, evaporator coil, and blower may be having a problem.
Low on Refrigerant
A refrigerant leak makes your system have low refrigerant levels. The temperature of the remaining refrigerant can drop because of reduced pressure, which makes the refrigerant line freeze up, again creating an instance of the AC unit freezing up in summer. You can tell if your system has a refrigerant leak by watching out for these signs:
- Ice on the refrigerant lines
- The air that the AC system is blowing is not very cold
- Bubbling or hissing noises emanating from the refrigerant line
- Higher energy bills
Fixing a refrigerant leak should be left to professionals.
Your air conditioner can freeze up and downgrade your comfort when you need it the most. The best way to avoid your AC unit freezing up in summer is by always scheduling routine maintenance. If you need AC repair or maintenance services in the Dayton area, contact the cooling experts at Ace Hardware Home Services.
