Does your air conditioner turn on and off repeatedly, or continue to run and struggle to cool your home? Have you noticed ice, frost, or blocks of ice on your air conditioner? If so, your air conditioner is freezing up.
Keep in mind that your air conditioner could be freezing up even if you don’t see ice or frost. If you turn your thermostat to fan only and let it run for a few hours (giving it time to thaw) and it begins cooling again, then your air conditioner is freezing up. You might even need to run the heat (probably not in the middle of summer).
If your unit is frozen and it begins to thaw, remember to watch out for an overflowing drain pan. When the evaporator coil freezes up and then thaws, water will fill the drain pan. Make sure your drain pan is clean to avoid water damage.
There are several reasons why an air conditioner may freeze up. Read below to find out reasons why your air conditioner might be freezing up and what you can do about it.
Low Refrigerant Charge
Your air conditioner cools your home when warm, humid air passes over the indoor evaporator coil. The water will then drain off the coil, into the drain pan, and down the condensate drain line. When refrigerant levels are low, it causes the evaporator coil to become too cold and the water freezes on the coil instead of draining. If this is the case, have your certified HVAC technician from Patterson Heating & Air Conditioning check your refrigerant levels and determine if there has been damage to the unit. We will give you an honest and educated solution to the problem.
Poor Air Flow
Just as low refrigerant levels cause the evaporator coil to be too cold and water freezes instead of drains, this can also happen when there is poor airflow. Even if your refrigerant levels are correct, a lack of warm return air will also cause the evaporator coils to become too cold. What causes poor airflow?
The number one culprit of poor airflow is a clogged air filter. When filters are clogged with dust and debris, it impedes the return airflow and creates an imbalance in the cooling system. Make sure to change your air filters regularly.
Undersized ducts and vents are another cause of poor airflow. When the return vents or ducts in your home are too small or when there are not enough vents, then your air conditioner does not receive the proper airflow. Air must flow evenly throughout your home for it to work effectively. This is something to be checked by a professional. Schedule time for your certified HVAC technician to inspect your ductwork and vents and make sure they are the proper size for your home.
Also, make sure to keep all your vents open. While you may be tempted to close vents to unused rooms, your cooling system requires proper airflow. Closed vents impede the proper circulation.
Dirty Coils in Charlotte
When the evaporator coil is dirty, the coil is unable to properly pull moisture from the air and drain water away from your air conditioning system. Keeping your system’s evaporator coil clean is a part of your maintenance schedule, so make sure to keep to a regular maintenance schedule with Patterson Heating & Air Conditioning. Our highly trained technicians will ensure that your unit is clean and working efficiently.
Too Small to Do the Job
It’s not uncommon for an air conditioning unit to be too small for the size of the home. You may suspect the unit is too small when the unit blows cold air, but your house doesn’t reach the desired temperature of your thermostat. If this is the case, contact us at Patterson to perform a load calculation which will determine the cooling needs of your home. An undersized unit may cause unnecessary wear and tear can lead to your indoor coil freezing.
We hope these tips and information have been helpful! Contact us if you have questions, we will be glad to help! Good People, Amazing Service….Go Patterson!
The post Why Is My Air Conditioner Freezing Up in Charlotte, NC? appeared first on Charlotte HVAC services and Heating and Air Conditioning Services Charlotte.
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