3 Easy Steps for Fixing a Frozen Air Conditioner

Does the air flowing from your supply registers suddenly feel not cold enough? Check the indoor portion of your air conditioner. This piece is situated within your furnace or air handler, if you use a heat pump. If there’s water leaking onto the floor, there might be ice on the evaporator coil. The AC coil in the system might have frosted over. You’ll need to defrost it before it can cool your house again.

Here’s the things you should do. If you can’t get the coil back to normal, Orangutan Home Services is here to support you with air conditioning repair in Tempe backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.*

Step 1: Set the Air Conditioning to 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 a pricey repair.

Next, adjust the fan from “auto” to “on.” This creates heated airflow over the frozen coils to help them thaw faster. Double check to set the cooling mode to “off” so the air conditioner doesn’t begin a cooling cycle.

It might take not more than an hour or the majority of the day for the ice to melt, depending on the degree of the accumulation. While you’re waiting, watch the condensate pan underneath the AC unit. If the drain line is obstructed, it can create a mess as the ice melts, potentially creating water damage.

Step 2: Pinpoint the Situation

Insufficient airflow is a primary explanation for an AC to frost over. Here’s how to figure out the problem:

  • Inspect the filter. Low airflow through a filthy filter could be to blame. Check and put in a new filter once a month or once you notice dust accumulation.
  • Open any shut supply vents. Your house’s supply registers should stay open always. Sealing vents limits airflow over the evaporator coil, which might result in it freezing.
  • Be on the lookout for obstructed return vents. These usually don’t have adjustable louvers, but furniture, rugs or curtains can still obstruct them.
  • Insufficient refrigerant: While airflow restrictions are the most typical suspect, your system could also be low on refrigerant. Depending on when it was installed, it may have Freon®. Low refrigerant calls for professional attention from a certified HVAC specialist. H2: Step 3: Get in Touch with an HVAC Specialist at Orangutan Home Services

If inadequate airflow doesn’t seem to be the trouble, then another issue is causing your AC frost over. If this is what’s occurring, simply letting it melt won’t fix the trouble. The evaporator coil will probably freeze again unless you repair the root issue. Call an HVAC technician to address problems with your air conditioner, which can include:

  • Refrigerant leak: AC units continuously use refrigerant, so it shouldn’t run low. Not enough refrigerant indicates a leak somewhere. Only a professional can locate the leak, fix it, and recharge the system to the correct amount.
  • Grimy evaporator coil: If grime builds up on the coil, air can’t get to it, and it’s likely to freeze.
  • Malfunctioning blower: A defective motor or unbalanced fan could halt airflow over the evaporator coil.

The next time your AC freezes up, get in touch with the ACE-certified technicians at Orangutan Home Services to take care of the situation. We have lots of experience helping homeowners check their air conditioners, and we’re certain we can get things operating again fast. Contact us at 602-906-0111 to book air conditioning repair in Tempe with us today.

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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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