Hot House, Frozen AC Unit: What Gives?
Air conditioners are important components of HVAC systems. Their main function is to provide cooling when the indoor temperature of a room is higher than the preferred room temperature. However, it is not uncommon for air conditioners to break down from time to time, mostly due to poor maintenance. A common problem with A/C systems is freezing. Imagine seeing ice forming on the A/C with indoor temperatures rising uncomfortably. While this may be baffling, it is a common occurrence in poorly designed or poorly maintained air conditioners. In this article, we discuss some of the reasons for a frozen air conditioner.
Why Is My Air Conditioner Frozen?
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The following are the two main causes of freezing in air conditioning systems:
Air Conditioner Refrigerant Leaks
For a cooling system to work properly, the refrigerant must be enclosed in the refrigerant tubing, or coils, which include the evaporator and condenser coils. If there is a refrigerant leak in the system, the A/C will not work properly. In fact, it may freeze up if the refrigerant leaks into the surroundings.
Leaks around the evaporator coil section are usually the main culprit because the temperature of the refrigerant liquid flowing through this section is usually very low. Freezing normally takes place when the hot humid air is forced through the leaking evaporator coils. As the moisture in the hot air condenses, water droplets are formed. The leaking refrigerant will freeze these droplets rapidly, creating ice.
Restricted Air Conditioner Airflow
Airflow through the air conditioner can be restricted by a number of things. Whatever the cause, poor airflow may lead to freezing. If hot air sits still or moves slowly through the A/C unit, the moisture will condense and get frozen. The following are some common causes of restricted airflow:
- Clogged air filter
- Dirty evaporator coils
- Damaged or improperly-sized ductwork
For air conditioners to work properly, there must be a smooth and unrestricted flow of air through the system. Obviously, air may not be cooled properly by the air conditioner in one cycle if it is moving at high velocity, but a few cycles will do the trick.
How to Deal with a Frozen Air Conditioner
When your A/C freezes up, your home or office will not be properly cooled. To deal with the issue, you must hire a cooling company that is known to offer high-quality HVAC services. Some remedies that may be offered include:
- filter replacement
- cleaning of evaporator and condenser coils
- charging of refrigerant
- regular maintenance of the whole HVAC system
Air conditioners should be serviced regularly especially when summer is here. While some maintenance works may be performed by the average person, others can only be done by experts, so be sure to hire the right HVAC company to help you with repairs and maintenance works.
Call R.F. Ohl For All Of Your Air Conditioning Needs
For superior HVAC services in the Poconos and the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, call R.F. Ohl. We hire the best professionally certified HVAC technicians who have the knowledge and experience to conduct high-quality heating and air conditioning services. We can perform heating and cooling repairs, installations, maintenance, and replacements quickly and accurately.
Rest assured, we offer one of the most affordable and competitive HVAC service costs in the area. Our HVAC tune-ups can increase your home’s comfort and energy efficiency while also reducing your monthly energy bills. We can also recommend the most suitable HVAC repair or replacement solution for your needs and budget. Your satisfaction is essential to us so we back all our work with a guarantee. Book your next AC tune-up or service appointment with R.F. Ohl. Call today to schedule a free, in-home estimate for HVAC repairs and replacements.
Click here to contact us today or give us a call at (610) 377-1098 if you have any questions.