3 Simple Ways to Restore a Frozen Air Conditioner

Does the air coming from your supply registers abruptly appear not cold enough? Check the indoor portion of your air conditioner. This component is situated inside your furnace or air handler, if you have a heat pump. If there’s water dripping onto the floor, there may be frost on the evaporator coil. The AC coil within the system may have frozen. You’ll need to melt it before it can cool your house again.

Here’s the things you should do. If you can’t get the coil frost-free, Chief/Bauer Service Experts is here to help with air conditioning repair in Champaign upheld by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.*

Step 1: Set the Air Conditioning to Off and the Blower On

To get started—switch the thermostat from “cool” to “off.” This prevents cold refrigerant from moving to the outdoor compressor, which could damage it and lead to a costly repair.

Then, adjust the fan from “auto” to “on.” This produces hot airflow over the frozen coils to make them defrost faster. Remember to set the cooling mode to “off” so the air conditioner doesn’t trigger a cooling cycle.

It can take less than an hour or the majority of the day for the ice to defrost, depending on the extent of the ice. While you’re waiting, watch the condensate pan below the AC unit. If the drain line is clogged, it might cause a mess as the ice melts, potentially resulting in water damage.

Step 2: Diagnose the Situation

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

  • Inspect the filter. Insufficient airflow through a dusty filter could be the problem. Look at and put in a new filter each month or immediately when you see dust buildup.
  • Open any shut supply vents. Your home’s supply registers should remain open all the time. Closing vents decreases airflow over the evaporator coil, which can cause it to freeze.
  • Be on the lookout for blocked return vents. These typically don’t use adjustable louvers, but furniture, rugs or curtains can still block them.
  • Low refrigerant: While airflow restrictions are the most typical cause, your air conditioner may also have insufficient refrigerant. Depending on when it was replaced, it may rely on Freon®. Low refrigerant calls for professional attention from a certified HVAC tech. H2: Step 3: Get in Touch with an HVAC Pro at Chief/Bauer Service Experts

If inadequate airflow doesn’t seem to be the trouble, then something else is leading your AC freeze up. If this is what’s happening, just defrosting it won’t fix the issue. The evaporator coil will possibly keep freezing unless you repair the underlying symptom. Get in touch with an HVAC tech to check for troubles with your air conditioner, which could include:

  • Refrigerant leak: AC units continuously use refrigerant, so it shouldn’t run out. Not enough refrigerant is a sign of a leak somewhere. Only a technician can locate the leak, fix it, and recharge the air conditioner to the correct concentration.
  • Filthy evaporator coil: If dust accumulates on the coil, air can’t get to it, and it’s likely to freeze.
  • Nonfunctional blower: A defective motor or unbalanced fan can prevent airflow over the evaporator coil.

If your AC freezes up, contact the ACE-certified specialists at Chief/Bauer Service Experts to take care of the issue. We have years of experience helping homeowners check their air conditioners, and we’re sure we can get things operating again in no time. Contact us at 217-689-2469 to schedule air conditioning repair in Champaign with us right away.

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