We may get cold weather in the DFW area, but frozen HVAC equipment sounds a little far out, especially in the warmer months. The fact that ACs freeze up mainly in the summer sounds even wilder. Before you call us crazy, let’s talk about what a frozen AC means and how you can fix it.
What is a frozen AC?
A frozen air conditioner happens when there’s not enough airflow through the system and the evaporator coils get too cold. The condensation on the coils, which is a normal part of AC operation, then freezes and causes the system to stop working. This happens most often because the system is dirty.
Why Air Conditioners Freeze
- Dirty air filter
- Refrigerant leak
- Dirty evaporator coil
- Obstructed airflow.
What to Do When Your AC Freezes
If your AC stops working during the summer, you’ll likely find your AC frozen. Follow these simple steps to thaw it out:
Check Your Filter
If it’s dirty, replace it to improve airflow. This will help you thaw your AC faster and keep more debris from circulating in the system.
Turn on the Fan
Turn your thermostat OFF and your fan ON to circulate warm air over the coils and defrost them. It’s a good idea to head to a friend’s house or go see a movie for a few hours to escape the summer heat while the fan does its work.
Inspect Your Air Handler
Locate the air handler and the frozen coils, which shouldn’t be frozen anymore. A lot of dripping will be happening during this time, so you’ll want to check that everything is draining in the condensate pan below the coils correctly.
Start Your AC
It’s now time to start up your AC again by turning the thermostat back to COOL. You should be able to feel the difference in the air if the system is working properly.
It’s always a good idea to call your HVAC company to inspect your AC after it freezes, especially if it happens more than once. This way, the AC repair technician will be able to catch any underlying problems, clean the coils and prevent the problem from happening again.
Prevent Your AC From Freezing
There are several things you can do on your own to ensure that your AC never freezes again. Most importantly, remember to change your filter at least every three months, more if you have shedding pets or the filter is really dirty when you change it. Next, keep debris out of your AC system by trimming shrubbery and trees away from the outdoor unit and clearing away leaves and twigs if they’re blocking it.
Lastly, schedule a preventative maintenance visit every spring for your AC. During a tune-up, the technician will clean the coils to help prevent them from freezing.
For more information or to schedule an air conditioner repair service request, contact Air Clinic DFW today.
