3 Fast Steps to Fix a Frozen Air Conditioner

Does the air coming from your supply registers unexpectedly appear warm? Check the indoor part of your air conditioner. This part is housed inside your furnace or air handler, if you use a heat pump. If there’s water seeping onto the floor, there might be ice on the evaporator coil. The AC coil inside the equipment could have frosted over. You’ll need to thaw it before it can cool your house again.

Here’s the steps you should take. If you can’t get the coil back to normal, McElroy Service Experts is here to help with air conditioning repair in Grand Island that includes a a 100% satisfaction guarantee.*

Step 1: Turn the Air Conditioning Off and the Blower On

To begin—move the thermostat from “cool” to “off.” This halts chilled refrigerant from going to the outdoor compressor, which could hurt it and result in a pricey repair.

Next, adjust the fan from “auto” to “on.” This produces heated airflow over the frozen coils to make them melt faster. Make sure to set the cooling mode to “off” so the air conditioner doesn’t start a cooling cycle.

It could take not more than an hour or the better part of a day for the ice to defrost, depending on the extent of the ice. While you’re waiting, check the condensate pan under the AC unit. If the drain line is blocked, it may overflow as the ice melts, potentially creating water damage.

Step 2: Diagnose the Problem

Not enough airflow is a prime cause for an AC to freeze up. Here’s how to figure out the problem:

  • Exmaine the filter. Poor airflow through a dirty filter could be the issue. Check and change the filter monthly or once you notice dust buildup.
  • Open any closed supply vents. Your residence’s supply registers should be open all the time. Shutting vents reduces airflow over the evaporator coil, which may cause it to freeze.
  • Check for obstructed return vents. These usually don’t have adjustable louvers, but furniture, rugs or curtains can still block them.
  • Insufficient refrigerant: While airflow restrictions are the most typical culprit, your air conditioner could also be low on refrigerant. Depending on when it was replaced, it may have Freon®. Low refrigerant calls for pro help from a certified HVAC tech. H2: Step 3: Contact an HVAC Expert at McElroy Service Experts

If inadequate airflow doesn’t seem to be the issue, then another problem is causing your AC freeze up. If this is what’s happening, just defrosting it won’t repair the issue. The evaporator coil will possibly freeze again unless you fix the underlying cause. Contact an HVAC specialist to check for troubles with your air conditioner, which may include:

  • Refrigerant leak: AC units keep using refrigerant, so it shouldn’t run out. Insufficient refrigerant means there’s a leak somewhere. Only a pro can locate the leak, fix it, and recharge the system to the correct level.
  • Grimy evaporator coil: If dust accumulates on the coil, air can’t reach it, and it’s likely to freeze.
  • Nonfunctional blower: A broken motor or unbalanced fan could halt airflow over the evaporator coil.

When your AC freezes up, contact the ACE-certified specialists at McElroy Service Experts to fix the issue. We have lots of experience helping homeowners check their air conditioners, and we’re certain we can get things running again quickly. Contact us at 308-210-4398 to schedule air conditioning repair in Grand Island with us now.

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*Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.

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