Is Your Air Conditioner Frozen? Find Out The Possible Causes

Posted on: 5 April 2022

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A well-functioning air conditioner effectively cools your home during the humid and hot summers. But, the cooling efficiency of your system can diminish for various reasons. For instance, an ice buildup on the indoor or outdoor unit affects the system's functionality. In addition, a frozen air conditioner requires the immediate attention of an AC repair contractor as it can create additional problems. Ice buildup in the AC can result from many things, including the following: 

Air Filters Clogged with Dust and Other Airborne Particles

Filters can accumulate dirt and dust over time. If you don't pay attention to these components, they will eventually get clogged. This obstruction, in turn, restricts airflow in your AC, leading to ice formation on the outside unit. 

Typically, when warm air doesn't get to the coils, the cooling substance gets colder and eventually freezes. The ultimate solution to this problem is to change your air filters immediately.

Damaged Air Ducts That Won't Allow Free Passage of Air

Ducts allow air to pass effectively through your cooling unit. But over time, the air ducts can collapse due to rust or wear and tear. When this happens, the air won't flow freely. Eventually, you'll have a frozen AC. Restricted airflow in the ducts means that cool air won't get to all the rooms in the home as required. As a result, you'll notice hot spots in some areas, which can be pretty uncomfortable. Therefore, it's paramount to seek AC repairs as soon as you notice ice formation in your cooling unit. 

Refrigerant Levels Are Too Low 

Your AC requires the right amount of refrigerant to work correctly. If the coolant isn't recharged, your home won't receive sufficient cooling. Besides that, the refrigerant can leak due to gaps or cracks in the system. 

In most cases, low refrigerant results in a frozen cooling unit. You'll need to hire an AC contractor to top up the cooling substance. Besides that, they will patch the cracks to avoid leakages in the future.

Blocked Condensate Line That Hinder the Outlet of Condensation

As the name implies, this component channels condensation away from your AC unit. However, debris and dirt can clog a condensate line, leading to operational problems. For instance, a blockage causes water to get trapped in the coils. 

Ice might form on your appliance's evaporator coils when the liquid doesn't drain away. In this case, your repair contractor will identify the clog in the condensate line and remove it. Then, they'll fix the underlying problem to avert a recurrence. 

Your air conditioning appliance can freeze due to the above reasons. Thankfully, your AC contractor will identify the chief cause of the problem and solve it in no time to restore the system's functionality.