When your home’s air conditioner unit stops making the needed cool air, often you will go investigate the cause. When investigating why your air conditioner isn’t cooling, you may discover ice on your air conditioner. Ice can form on and around the evaporator or along the refrigerant supply line which is near the condenser. When ice forms on the air conditioner you will want to take steps to correct the problem. Absolute P&M Services will share what can cause ice to form and what needs to be done to repair these problems.
Low AC Refrigerant
When an air conditioner develops ice, this is a sign of a possible refrigerant leak. During a cooling cycle the air passes over the evaporator coils and condensation will begin to form. Condensation is completely normal and the condensation will drip safely into the condensate pan and through a drainage system. If there isn’t enough refrigerant, often the air will not pass through the evaporator coils fast enough which will cause the condensation that is coming from outside on the unit to freeze. When you have ice on the evaporator coils or near it, you have a refrigerant leak. An HVAC technician will need to repair the leak and recharge your air conditioner with more refrigerant.
Restricted Air Flow
Another reason behind ice is forming around the evaporator coil is when the cool air cannot flow through the cooling system fast enough. An air flow restriction is another common culprit behind ice forming. There are a couple of sources for an air flow restriction. When you discover ice on your air conditioner your first step is to check your air filters. Dirty air filters are a source of air flow restriction. If the filter is super dirty this is most likely the cause. Another common source is dirty evaporator coils. Sometimes the air being sucked up through the return vent is full of dust and even pet hair that clogs up the evaporator coils. The coils will need to be cleaned to restore air flow. If the evaporator coils are dirty, seek out a professional to clean the coils as the coils are very delicate and can be easily damaged. Last thing you may want to check is the air vents throughout the home. If the vents are closed anywhere in the home, this too will cause a restriction and air pressure to back up. You will want to make sure all vents are open and not obstructed by furniture, curtains or other items in the home.
Faulty AC Wiring
If you notice that your air conditioner has been running for long periods of time, this can also be the reason why ice has formed. Long cooling periods keep the air conditioner cold and even cold enough to cause the condensation to freeze. Long cooling cycles is often a sign that there is a problem, possibly an electrical problem. Faulty wiring going to the capacitor may be stuck on. The air conditioner is not receiving the signal to shut down which will keep the air conditioning running. You will need to cut the power to the air conditioner using the breaker. Then contact an HVAC technician to replace the wiring or other electrical components to ensure the air conditioner operates properly.
Central Air Conditioning Maintenance, Repairs, Replacement & More in Santa Fe, Tomball, Sugar Land, Galveston, Austin & Greater Houston, Texas
Most ice problems can be handled without the need for calling an HVAC technician. You can open up air vents, clear blockages, and change air filters. However, if you find the problem is more severe, contact Absolute P&M Services today.
