A frozen air conditioning unit is disturbing to say the least. While there’s no reason to panic, you will want to trace down the source of the problem. In some cases, you can make the fix yourself, but others require help from a professional HVAC contractor.
Cold Air Handler Conditions
Moisture in your air handler is normal. As the refrigerant in the evaporator coils draws heat from its surroundings, both air and moisture become cooler. The cool air is moved by the blower through the ducts and into various rooms. The moisture condenses as it cools, collecting on the evaporator coils much as on a glass of ice water. As the moisture pools, it drips into a drain pan to be carried out of your home. However, the condensate material will freeze if the coils are too cold.
What Affects Air Handler Temperatures?
Refrigerant is cold as it moves through the inside coils. It collects heat from the surrounding air, and the air becomes cold. If that cold air doesn’t move properly, the refrigerant won’t be able to absorb further heat. When the refrigerant remains icy, the coils and condensate liquids are also affected. The refrigerant can also remain too cold if a barrier of dirt acts as a blanket over the coils, keeping the heat out and the cold in. Low refrigerant levels can cause a similar issue. AC maintenance allows the coils to be cleaned and the refrigerant levels to be checked, helpful for heading off problems like frozen coils.
Blower and Electronic Problems
Your blower is responsible for moving cold air out of the handler, and a problem with this equipment could result in a frozen system. This may be confirmed if you notice a lack of air movement at your registers when the system is on. Electronic parts and contacts can also hinder the operation of the blower or other system components. Even a bad battery in your thermostat could trigger irregular cycling and other malfunctions.
When to Call for AC Repair
Turn off your system so that the ice can melt. Check your filter, thermostat batteries and coils as you wait. When the ice is gone, turn your equipment on again, observing over several hours or days to see if more ice develops. If your equipment develops more ice, you can call Ray’s HVAC for AC maintenance or repair. A description of your concerns will allow a staff member to recommend appropriate service for air conditioning problems in your Elgin, IL, home. Call us today for assistance.
