Summers in Texas get very hot, so we all rely on air conditioners to stay cool. If your home’s air conditioning freezes up, it can be a major inconvenience. Instead of producing cool air, your AC may blow warm air or no air at all.
You will be uncomfortable, and you could also end up with a big repair bill if you don’t take care of the problem quickly. In this blog post, we’ll talk about what to do when your air conditioning system freezes and how to prevent your air conditioner from freezing in the first place.
If you’re in Arlington TX, and need help fixing your frozen AC unit, please contact our air conditioning repair team! We would be happy to assist you.
What causes your AC system to freeze up?
Air conditioners usually freeze at the outside condenser unit.
One of the most common causes of a frozen AC unit is a lack of HVAC maintenance. When you don’t regularly clean and service your AC unit, it can start to accumulate dirt and debris. This can lead to the AC coil freezing up, which will prevent your AC unit from working properly. As part of your standard AC maintenance routine, you should have the AC coils cleaned.
Another common cause of a frozen AC unit is a problem with the refrigerant levels. If your AC unit is low on refrigerant, it can cause a frozen coil inside your unit. Your cold refrigerant may get low if the refrigerant line experiences a leak due to aging lines or trauma to the lines.
Signs of low refrigerant warm air entering from the supply vents or you hear hissing or bubbling sounds coming from your unit. A refrigerant leak is a serious problem that will require the help of a professional.
On occasion, the AC unit may freeze up if you have the thermostat set too low. Many people in Texas enjoy the cold air during the extreme summer months, but you don’t want to set the air conditioner under 62 degrees.
Signs of a frozen air conditioner
One of the signs that your air conditioner unit may be frozen is if the evaporator coils are frosted over. You can determine if the unit has frosted coils by performing a visual inspection.
You may also notice that your air conditioner is cycling on and off more frequently than usual, usually due to ice or frost on the relay or blower motor inside the unit.
Finally, your air conditioner may be producing hot air and isn’t cooling your home as effectively as it used to.
What should you do if your AC unit freezes?
If you notice that your AC unit is frozen, the first thing you should do is turn it off. For additional protection, you should unplug the unit completely or shut it off at the circuit breaker. You don’t want the air conditioner to turn on while working. Once it’s turned off, you can start troubleshooting the problem.
If you think the issue might be with the thermostat, you can try resetting it. You can also turn the temperature a bit if you have it set especially low. After a couple of hours, check to see if that resolved the issue.
Consider investing in a programmable thermostat (or smart thermostat) to automate temperature controls and receive alerts regarding your unit to your smartphone in real time.
Next, clean the air filter. Air filters collect dust and debris in the air so that the unit doesn’t blow dirty air into your home, negatively impacting your home’s indoor air quality. A dirty air filter will reduce air flow and put more stress on the internal components of your HVAC unit.
If that doesn’t work, you can check to see if there’s ice on the coils. If there is, you’ll need to thaw them out before turning the unit back on.
How to thaw a frozen AC unit
To thaw a frozen AC unit, start by turning off the power. Turning off the power is an important safety step that can prevent you from damaging the unit or experiencing electrocution.
Next, use your hands to remove any ice you can reach from around the unit. Ice can be difficult to remove, so you will likely still have ice on the unit after you remove what you can.
Carefully use a hairdryer or heat lamp to thaw out the coils. Once they’re thawed out, turn on the power and set the thermostat to the desired temperature. The unit should start blowing cold air again within a few minutes.
How to prevent your AC unit from freezing
There are a few things you can do to prevent your AC unit from freezing up.
First, make sure that you’re regularly cleaning and servicing the unit, which primarily consists of cleaning or replacing the air filter. This will help to remove any dirt and debris that could lead to the coils freezing.
You can change the filter in your AC unit yourself, but getting professional AC maintenance includes numerous other tasks, including additional cleaning and an air conditioning unit inspection by a licensed HVAC technician.
You should also check the refrigerant levels periodically and have them refilled if they start to get low. According to federal regulations, Section 608 Certification is required for someone to buy new refrigerant. A professional HVAC tech will need to do the task for you.
Lastly, if you live in an area with high humidity, you may want to invest in a dehumidifier for your home. This will help to keep the air dry, which will help your AC unit from freezing up. When you have high moisture levels in your air, the water molecules from the moisture can get on the coils in your outdoor unit. If the HVAC system encounters freezing conditions, the excess water on the coils will freeze.
By following these tips, you can help to prevent your AC unit from freezing up in Arlington TX. However, if it does happen, you now know what to do!
The benefits of getting air conditioning service quickly
If you notice that your AC unit has frozen up, it’s important to take care of the problem as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more damage can be done to the unit. Not only that, but a frozen AC unit can be a major inconvenience. So, if you want to avoid an expensive air conditioning repair bill and keep your home comfortable, it’s best to take care of the problem right away.
If you’re in Arlington TX and need help fixing your frozen AC unit, please get in touch with our team! We would be happy to assist you.
Our experienced technicians will quickly diagnose the problem and get your AC unit up and running again. Contact us at All Masters today to schedule a service appointment for air conditioning repair!
Service areas include:
- Allen
- Colleyville
- Farmers Branch
- Fort Worth
- Frisco
- Grand Prairie
- Grapevine
- Hurst-Euless-Bedford
- Irving
- Lewisville
- McKinney
- Plano
- Richardson
- Southlake
Additional services include HVAC replacement, air conditioning installation, drain cleaning, relay replacement, duct cleaning, and plumbing repair in Arlington.
With 30 years of experience, All Masters is your one-stop shop when it comes to all of your HVAC home comfort and plumbing needs!
