Is your air conditioning or heating system running but not doing its job? Can you see ice buildup on your AC unit?
You may even hear a sound coming from the unit, but no cool or warm air is coming out of the vents. Or perhaps you notice a puddle in the floor and no running fan. This means your AC system is frozen! Definitely not something you want to experience any time, but especially during a heat wave or cold front.
Causes of a Frozen Air Conditioner
Typically, a frozen AC unit means that something in your system has caused the Freon to expand more than it should, making coils colder than normal. Or something is preventing the air in your house from transferring heat into your system.
Here are a several common reasons why your HVAC system might be frozen:
Mechanical failures
Your central air conditioning system is probably a frequently used machine and requires all of its parts to function properly. If any one of these parts starts malfunctioning, your entire system might freeze up. A licensed HVAC professional will need to check a variety of parts – including the air filter and refrigerant lines – to identify the culprit. A malfunctioning blower is often the cause of the failure, so they’ll probably check that first.
Temperature range issues
Most expert recommend not running your air conditioning system when temperatures outside are below 62 degrees Fahrenheit. If you do, the pressure and temperature inside your system can drop and can cause a freeze up of the entire system.
Insufficient air flow
Most systems are designed to pull heat from the inside of your home outside and in order to lower the temperature inside. The system accomplishes this by blowing the hot air over the evaporator coil. However, if this process is not happening properly, then heat exchange is not taking place and the Freon is unable to perform its job of lowering the temperatures. Over time, the temperature may continue to drop and cause the entire system to freeze.
Low on refrigerant
Low refrigerant levels can result in reduced pressure inside the system itself. The air conditioning system is still being forced to expand the same amount, even if the proper amount of Freon is not in the system. Cooler temperatures result due to more expansion. The coil will continue to drop below freezing and the moisture in the air will freeze as it contacts the coil. This can cause the whole system to freeze.
How to Fix a Frozen AC System
A frozen air conditioner system can mean major headaches. If this is happening to your residential or commercial HVAC system, it’s in your best interests to contact an experienced and Georgia licensed A/C repair technician near you.
At Gagne Heating and Air Conditioning, we’ll help you get your system functioning properly and prevent it from freezing up again. In addition to offering expert installation and service, we provide emergency repairs to homes and businesses in Alpharetta, Chamblee, Doraville, Sandy Springs, Marietta, Roswell, Duluth, Buckhead, Johns Creek and other communities in the metro Atlanta area.
