Summers in Lincoln, IL, are hot and humid. You’ll rely on your air conditioner to deliver relief from the sweltering conditions. If you notice ice, frost, or a puddle by your air conditioning system, there’s a problem. Read on to learn about the most common reasons why air conditioners freeze up and what you should do if you notice this issue.
1. Clogged Filter
A dirty air filter causes a plethora of problems in air conditioners. The debris impedes airflow over the evaporator coil. This causes the moisture in the warm air to condense and freeze onto the coil. The coil keeps getting colder as long as the air conditioner is cycling, so this moisture freezes into layers of ice. When the air conditioner’s safety limit switch kicks on, the unit turns off. You may see both ice on the coil and a puddle on the floor by the air handler.
2. Refrigerant Leak
A refrigerant leak is another common cause of air conditioners freezing. You may notice frost or icicles on the outdoor unit or copper tubing. The refrigerant normally travels through the copper tubing between the outdoor and indoor units. When the refrigerant pressure gets too low, the refrigerant can’t move through the tubing. The tubing keeps getting colder, and moisture from the air freezes on the metal.
3. Dirty Evaporator Coil
Dust and bacteria build up on evaporator coils with each cycle of the air conditioner. An annual tune-up involves cleaning the coil in order to remove that debris. If you’ve skipped one or more maintenance visits, a dirty coil could be the reason why your air conditioner has frozen.
Quick Comfort is the trusted provider of air conditioning repairs in Lincoln. In the wintertime, turn to us for heating repairs. We also offer heating and cooling maintenance and installation. Our refrigeration, indoor air quality, air purification, and emergency services are designed with your comfort and well-being in mind. For more information about why air conditioners freeze up, call us at Quick Comfort today.
