3 Simple Steps to Fix a Frozen Air Conditioner

Does the air emitting from your supply registers suddenly seem warm? Check the indoor part of your air conditioner. This component is located within your furnace or air handler, if you rely on a heat pump. If there’s water leaking onto the floor, there might be ice on the evaporator coil. The AC coil inside the equipment may have frozen. You’ll need to defrost it before it can cool your residence again.

Here’s the things you should do. If you can’t get the coil frost-free, Calverley Service Experts is here to help with air conditioning repair in Fort Worth that includes a a 100% satisfaction guarantee.*

Step 1: Turn the Air Conditioning Off and the Blower On

First things first—switch the thermostat from “cool” to “off.” This stops chilled refrigerant from flowing to the outdoor compressor, which could hurt it and result in an expensive repair.

Then, move the fan from “auto” to “on.” This produces hot airflow over the crystallized coils to help them defrost faster. Remember to set the cooling mode to “off” so the air conditioner doesn’t begin a cooling cycle.

It could take less than an hour or most of the day for the ice to defrost, depending on the level of the accumulation. While you’re waiting, keep an eye on the condensate pan under the AC unit. If the drain line is clogged, it may create a mess as the ice melts, likely creating water damage.

Step 2: Troubleshoot the Issue

Low airflow is a primary cause for an AC to become frozen. Here’s how to troubleshoot the problem:

  • Inspect the filter. Insufficient airflow through a filthy filter could be the culprit. Check and change the filter monthly or immediately when you observe dust accumulation.
  • Open any closed supply vents. Your home’s supply registers should be open always. Shutting vents reduces airflow over the evaporator coil, which could result in it freezing.
  • Be on the lookout for obstructed return vents. These usually don’t come with adjustable louvers, but furniture, rugs or curtains can still block them.
  • Not enough refrigerant: While airflow restrictions are the most common cause, your system could also not have enough refrigerant. Depending on how old it is, it may rely on Freon®. Insufficient refrigerant requires professional support from a certified HVAC specialist. H2: Step 3: Contact an HVAC Tech at Calverley Service Experts

If inadequate airflow doesn’t appear to be the trouble, then another problem is leading your AC freeze up. If this is the case, just defrosting it won’t fix the issue. The evaporator coil is likely to freeze again unless you take care of the root cause. Contact an HVAC tech to address problems with your air conditioner, which could include:

  • Refrigerant leak: AC units recycle refrigerant, so it shouldn’t get used up. Low refrigerant is a sign of a leak somewhere. Only a pro can pinpoint the leak, mend it, and recharge the air conditioning to the appropriate level.
  • Dirty evaporator coil: If dust accumulates on the coil, air can’t reach it, and it’s likely to freeze.
  • Nonfunctional blower: A bad motor or unbalanced fan may prevent airflow over the evaporator coil.

If your AC freezes up, call on the ACE-certified pros at Calverley Service Experts to take care of the trouble. We have years of experience helping homeowners diagnose their air conditioners, and we’re confident we can get things running again fast. Contact us at 817-380-5647 to book air conditioning repair in Fort Worth with us right away.

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*Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.

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