If there’s one air conditioning problem that leaves more homeowners scratching their heads and wondering what to do than others, it’s ice forming on or inside of AC units. This typically happens on the hottest days of summer, which is why this phenomenon is so confusing to most people.
This is a phone call we get frequently on the hottest days of Summer: “My outside AC unit is totally covered in ice?!” How does that happen when the outdoor temperatures are in the 90’s? Let’s get into why this happens and what you can do to fix it and when you need to call in the pros!
Why AC Units Freeze in the Middle of Summer
Before calling for an AC repair, there are a few steps you can take to try resolving the problem at home. The first of them is to understand how this unusual phenomenon occurs, which requires having at least a basic idea of how modern air conditioners work. Here’s what you need to know:
- Air conditioners circulate their refrigerant through outdoor units to condense it from a gas into a liquid, which is then forced through their evaporator coils.
- Air is circulated through those evaporators with a fan, cooling down as it comes into contact with the coils.
- Contact with the warm air turns the refrigerant back into vapor as heat is removed, at which point the cooled air is sent back into homes.
- The condensers turn the vapor back into liquid, removing the heat and beginning the process all over.
When the temperature in your AC unit’s evaporator coils falls below freezing, that’s when ice begins to form. As you likely already know from experience, that ice buildup significantly reduces your AC unit’s efficiency and can even make it impossible for the unit to effectively cool your home.
Causes of Ice Formation on Your AC Unit
Now that you understand where and how the ice forms, it’s time to discuss explanations for why it’s happening so that you can figure out what to do. There are three primary reasons that ice might form on an air conditioner’s evaporator coils, each of which requires a different resolution.
1. Reduced Airflow
The most common reason for evaporator coils to freeze up is reduced airflow. If there’s not enough air flowing over the coils, excessive ice forms as cold builds up thanks to the refrigerant, but can’t be transferred to the air. This, in turn, causes further airflow issues as the coils frost over, creating a negative feedback loop that culminates in uncomfortably high indoor air temperatures. Potential underlying causes of reduced airflow include:
- Dirty evaporator coils
- Dirty air filters
- Closed vents
- Damaged ductwork
- Damaged or defective blower fan
2. Low Refrigerant Temperature
Evaporator coils are filled with refrigerant intended to absorb the heat coming from the untreated air inside your home, but that doesn’t mean colder is better. In fact, if the temperature of your air conditioner’s evaporator coils gets too low, it causes a pressure drop. This, in turn, raises the relative humidity level and creates problems with condensation when the hot air hits the coils’ surface, causing the moisture in the air to bead up and freeze. Common causes of low coil temperatures include:
- Low refrigerant levels
- Refrigerant leaks
- Excessively cold outdoor temperatures
- Mechanical failures leading to low pressure
- Kinks in the refrigerant line
Some types of refrigerant issues are easy to detect. Leaks in the system, for instance, are typically accompanied by not just iced-over coils but also hissing or gurgling sounds coming from the indoor unit. If you believe there may be a refrigerant leak, call Pro-Tech HVAC Home right away.
If kinks in the refrigerant line or mechanical failures are causing excessive cooling of the evaporator coils, you won’t be able to diagnose or troubleshoot the problem alone. Give us a call to schedule a full inspection and repair.
3. Clogged Condensate Drain Pipe
The condensation issues described above occur when hot air hits excessively cold evaporator coils. However, some amount of condensation is normal. Under proper operational conditions, the condensation remains warm enough to avoid freezing, then drips into the drain pan and gets routed out of the system via its drain pipe. If that pipe gets clogged, the condensation continues to build up on and around the coils, increasing the chances that they will freeze.
What Can I Do About the Frozen Coils?
Regardless of what is causing your air conditioner’s evaporator coils to freeze, the first step towards resolving the problem is always the same. You should turn the air conditioner off and allow the coils to thaw. This can take up to 24 hours, depending on how much ice has already built up. You can also speed up the thawing process by setting your AC unit to “fan only,” which allows the fan to move warm air across the iced-over coils. Just be sure to have something available to catch the melting water, especially if you’re concerned about the potential for a clogged drain pipe.
What Else Can I Do?
You don’t have to wait until the system is completely thawed to start troubleshooting. In many cases, the primary factor driving coil freezing is a dirty, clogged air filter. All you have to do to resolve this problem is install a new one, then wait for the system to finish thawing before turning it back on. While you’re waiting, you can also check around the home to make sure that none of the vents are blocked.
When the ice has melted, and the system has returned to its ambient temperature, try turning it back on. If a dirty filter or blocked vents were to blame, it should operate as usual. Otherwise, that means there’s something else wrong that will require professional help.
RELATED: Why It’s So Important to Change Your Air Filter Regularly
Warm Up Your AC to Cool Down Your Home
No matter why your air conditioner is developing ice, we can help you resolve the problem so that you can go back to efficiently cooling your home. There’s no AC issue we haven’t seen. Regardless of what’s causing your ice buildup, our team of expert HVAC technicians can help.
CALL or TEXT us at (240) 298-6521
If your air conditioning system just isn’t keeping you cool, contact us at Pro-Tech HVAC Home to fix your AC unit. One of our PROfessional TECHnicians will diagnose your problem and get your AC back to working condition so you can STAY COOL all Summer!
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When it comes to HVAC services, you need to work with a company with a stellar reputation for providing service that is guaranteed to solve your problems once and for all. As Annapolis’ Top Rated Local HVAC contractor, that’s what you get with Pro-Tech HVAC Home. Our customers rely on us for fast, friendly service at a fair price. Our #1 priority is keeping our Annapolis neighbors comfortable all year long!
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Pro-Tech HVAC Home offers new installation, replacement, repairs and maintenance of heating and air conditioning systems in the Annapolis area. Our customers rely on us for honest and reliable service for air conditioners, heat pumps, gas furnaces, Mitsubishi systems, and more. We’re happy to answer questions, troubleshoot, and help you choose the best HVAC system for you and your family. We’re always happy to help answer your questions, so please give us a call or send us an email.