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Depending on where you live, the summer months can be blazing hot. You rely on your air conditioner to keep your home cool and comfortable during this time. Unfortunately, some homeowners have experienced a problem with their AC unit during the summer, and it freezes up. If your air conditioner freezes up, it could leave your house feeling hot and balmy. An AC that has frozen up appears to be covered in a layer of ice.
Specifically, frost may accumulate on the refrigerant lines and evaporator coil. The ice could be on the inside of your unit, or you may notice frost covering the outside. The appearance can range from a thin layer of frost to a block of ice.
If you find yourself asking, “Why does my air conditioner have ice on it?” there could be a few issues behind the problem. Some of the problems you may be able to troubleshoot yourself. However, several others will require the help of a qualified HVAC technician. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why your AC might have ice on it.
Inadequate Airflow
When the system is operating normally, proper airflow prevents the cooled evaporator coil from freezing up. However, if there is little or no air flowing over the coil, it will cool faster and frost over because it isn’t absorbing heat. When your evaporator coil is covered in ice, it can’t properly cool your home. Blocked or closed vents could restrict enough airflow to create an issue.
However, one of the more common causes of inadequate airflow is dirty air filters. Reduced airflow from dirty air filters or objects and debris obstructing air into the unit will cause the system to malfunction. It is important to change your air filters regularly and have regular annual HVAC service to have the unit cleaned. Additionally, it would help if you kept all shrubs, trees, and other landscaping at least three feet from your outdoor unit.
Improper Refrigerant Levels
Your AC relies on refrigerant to transfer heat from your home to the outside evaporator coil. When you have a refrigerant leak, the balance between heat and supercooled refrigerant is thrown off, and your evaporator coils could become too cold. The water condensation will form a layer of ice on the equipment when this happens.
You will need to have an HVAC technician examine your system to repair the leak and add additional refrigerant. It is also important to note that ignoring this issue could damage your coils and air compressor. Once more extensive damage is done, you will face expensive repairs or even the need for a replacement unit.
Dirty Evaporator Coil
As the refrigerant flows to the evaporator coil from the inside unit, it transports heat and humidity to be released. The fins on the coils will collect dust, dirt, and other substances through normal operation. If your coil becomes too dirty, the debris could insulate it and limit its ability to transfer heat.
As a result, the refrigerant continues to cool the coil, becoming frozen over time. When the moisture condenses on the coil, it will soon become a block of ice. As a part of your regular annual HVAC service, the technician will clean your unit to ensure it is clean before the cooling season.
A frozen-over AC unit will not adequately cool your home and will lead to some miserable conditions while you wait for it to thaw. Regular maintenance and annual service will help ensure that your system is running effectively and efficiently. If you experience ice on your unit frequently, however, you should contact an HVAC technician to help find a solution.