How to Fix a Frozen Air Conditioner
Summer’s coming (we promise) and here’s a typical 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 dreadful sound; drip… drip… drip. They glance over to see the cat licking at a puddle that’s slowly forming on the kitchen floor. In a flash: Worry, stress, and that “how much will this cost?” feeling. Where did the leak come from?; water heater, leaky toilet, shower, faucet? Nope – the central air conditioner is frozen solid. This can strike anywhere, from Edmonton to Timbuktu, regardless of climate.
Why Air Conditioners Freeze
When a central air conditioner freezes up, what actually freezes is the condenser unit’s evaporator coil. This component of the air conditioner transfers (evaporates) heat from the inside to the outside of your Edmonton area home. Usually there are two factors why the evaporator coil may freeze:
- The restriction of the system’s airflow
- Low refrigerant
Either way, the outcome is that the air conditioner’s evaporator coil will be unable to properly disperse the heat, and in effect ‘overcools’ itself. The result of this super-cooling is condensation (that’s water formation), and eventually ice forms from that condensation as it cools below the freezing point. Yep, the A/C just turned into an old-school icebox.
What Should 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.
- Check to ensure that the airflow around your system is unrestricted. 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 lead to a costly 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 brand new air conditioner. Unfortunately, many people are forced to decide between installing a new system vs repairing the old model. If you act quickly and call a certified technician, you stand a better chance of having a less expensive repair.
Your technician will diagnose the situation and how to avoid the issue from occurring 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 most likely freeze again.