If your air conditioner’s evaporator coils are frozen, it won’t be able to keep your home cool. Freezing occurs when the refrigerant falls below 32 degrees. You can find out if your air conditioner is frozen by checking to see if the air coming out of the registers is warm. If it is, then it’s possible that you have a frozen evaporator coil.
Here are some of the factors that can cause evaporator coils to freeze along with tips for dealing with the problem.
- Dirty air filters: A dirty air filter reduces airflow, which can cause a frozen coil. One of the first things you should do if your A/C’s evaporator coil is frozen is to check the air filter. If it’s dirty, remove it and replace it with a new one. Prevent freezing by replacing the air filter at least once a month.
- Refrigerant leak: Leaks are the most common refrigerant problems. If you have a refrigerant leak, you’ll need to call an HVAC technician to recharge the refrigerant, as well as find and repair the leak. Note that this job requires specialized tools and experience; you should not attempt it yourself.
- Pressure drop in the evaporator coil: A pressure drop will cause the temperature of the coils to fall below freezing, resulting in ice buildup as the condensation on the coils freezes. The frost on the coil will restrict airflow and speed up the freezing process. Eventually you’ll have a block of ice that will compromise the airflow in your air conditioner. This is another instance where you’ll have to call in an HVAC technician to diagnose and repair the issue.
As a homeowner, you can perform basic inspections and maintenance yourself, but you should call in the professionals if there are leaks or parts that need to be replaced. If you have a frozen evaporator coil, contact the pros at CCAC. We provide quality HVAC services to Coastal Bend residents.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about evaporator coils and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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