Air conditioners are truly an extraordinary appliance that assists many homes and businesses in the world stay comfortable during scorching summers and alleviate the humidity levels. But because of the moving parts found in air conditioners and their continuous operating systems when the weather calls, they can malfunction. With routine maintenance, tune-ups, and inspections performed from an expert from Steve’s Heating and Air, you can significantly reduce the need for repairs. However, you may be experiencing technical difficulty from time to time despite your efforts, especially depending on the quality of your unit. But thanks to our air conditioner repair service, you don’t have to be without too long! With that in mind however, we at Steve’s Heating and Air would like to take a closer look at your outdoor air conditioning unit that has frozen coils.
Air Conditioner Troubleshooting When System Not Cooling
If you notice your coils are frozen, chances are you noticed your air conditioning system is not operating at full efficiency and you stepped out to investigate the cause. Having your coils frozen is never a good thing, as it is hindering the air conditioner’s operating function.
How Do Evaporator Coils Work?
The evaporator coils are essential to the air conditioner. The air handler blows return air over the coils, where inside the coils houses the refrigerant, which absorbs the air’s heat. Following the treatment, the temperature of the return air is lowered and the cool air is sent back to your home’s living spaces. Your air conditioner not only cools down your home, but it also dehumidifies it. Moisture is pulled out of the air when it is dehumidified. This moisture, or condensation, left behind builds up on and drips off of the evaporator coils. This event doesn’t normally cause any problems as the condensation drips into the drip pan and is flushed away. However, that condensation can freeze up and build a layer of ice on your evaporator coils if there is a problem.
Causes of Frozen Evaporator Coils
Frozen evaporator coils result from a number of issues; the most common issues include:
– Airflow abnormalities: Proper airflow restrictions are generally due to a clogged air filter, air duct leaks, and/or blocked air registers. If the return air blowing over your evaporator coils is inadequate, your coils won’t have enough heat to absorb and will eventually freeze over.
– Dirty evaporator coils: Dirt can build up on your evaporator coils, which causes a disruption in the process, preventing the coils from absorbing heat from your home’s air; causing them to freeze.
– Low refrigerant levels: A refrigerant leak will reduce the refrigerant levels. Without the proper refrigerant levels, the refrigerant lacks the ability to absorb heat from your home’s air; causing frozen coils.
Air Conditioner Inspection, Troubleshooting, Emergency AC Repairs & More in Purvis, Petal & Hattiesburg MS & Pine Belt, Mississippi
If your coils are frozen, first switch off the air conditioner from your thermostat. Your home is not getting cooled, and the coils need to thaw. Make sure your air filters are cleaned and there is no buildup or debris on the coils itself. If the coils continue to freeze after the air filter has been changed and coils are cleaned, turn it off again and contact Steve’s Heating and Air and we will inspect the unit to discover the issue at hand, and then repair or replace it as necessary.
