Have you ever tried to use your air conditioner and realized it’s covered in a layer of ice? The layer might be 2-3 inches thick! In this episode, we discuss the many ways your air conditioner can freeze over. Then we go over how to fix it and ways to prevent ice from forming again.
There are several reasons why an air conditioner might freeze over. One of the most common reasons is a dirty air filter. A dirty air filter can make it so there isn’t enough warm air flowing through your coils. That can keep the system too cold and freeze any condensation.
The next most common cause is a refrigerant leak. The way an air conditioner works is by using the heat in the air to turn your refrigerant into vapor. Then the process reverses. If there isn’t enough refrigerant, it’s not going to transfer that heat the way it should.
If your AC does freeze over, the first step is to let it thaw. Turn the air conditioner off and let it warm up at its own pace. The outside unit will melt before too long, but you might need to let it sit overnight for the inside unit to thaw. Most freezing starts at the evaporator coil on the inside, and the ice can get to be several inches thick. We show a picture of what that looks like in the video.
If you’re curious about what kind of refrigerant your AC uses, Any Hour Services would be happy to help. Our HVAC technicians can help you find out what your system uses and answer any questions you may have. You can give us a call or schedule an appointment online.
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