Easy Steps for Fixing a Frozen Air Conditioner

Does the air flowing from your supply registers suddenly feel hot? Look at the indoor component of your air conditioner. This piece is located within your furnace or air handler, if you have a heat pump. If there’s water leaking onto the floor, there may be frost on the evaporator coil. The AC coil in the unit might have frosted over. 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, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is here to support you with air conditioning repair in the U.S. upheld by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.* 

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

To get started—switch the thermostat from “cool” to “off.” This halts chilled refrigerant from moving to the outdoor compressor, which could harm it and result in a costly repair. 

After that, adjust the fan from “auto” to “on.” This produces heated airflow over the frozen coils to force them to melt faster. Remember to set the cooling mode to “off” so the air conditioner doesn’t trigger a cooling cycle. 

It may take under an hour or most of the day for the ice to melt, depending on the degree of the ice. While you’re waiting, watch the condensate pan underneath the AC unit. If the drain line is blocked, it can spill over as the ice melts, potentially resulting in water damage. 

Step 2: Pinpoint the Issue 

Bad airflow is a leading explanation for an AC to become frozen. Here’s how to troubleshoot the problem: 

• Exmaine the filter. Low airflow through a dirty filter could be the culprit. Inspect and replace the filter each month or immediately when you see dust buildup. 
• Open any sealed supply vents. Your residence’s supply registers should stay open constantly. Sealing vents limits airflow over the evaporator coil, which may lead it to freeze. 
• Look for blocked return vents. These often don’t come with moveable louvers, but furniture, rugs or curtains can still block them. 
• Low refrigerant: While airflow restrictions are the most common cause, your system may also have insufficient refrigerant. Depending on its age, it may rely on Freon®. Low refrigerant necessitates professional attention from a certified HVAC specialist. H2: Step 3: Contact an HVAC Professional at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 

If poor airflow doesn’t seem to be the problem, then another issue is causing your AC frost over. If this is what’s going on, merely thawing it out won’t repair the problem. The evaporator coil is likely to keep freezing unless you fix the root issue. Call an HVAC technician to check for problems with your air conditioner, which could include: 

• Refrigerant leak: AC units recycle refrigerant, so it shouldn’t get used up. Low refrigerant signals a leak somewhere. Only a professional can locate the leak, fix it, and recharge the system to the appropriate level. 
• Grimy evaporator coil: If dust accumulates on the coil, air can’t reach it, and it’s apt to freeze. 
• Malfunctioning blower: A broken motor or unbalanced fan might stop airflow over the evaporator coil. 

If your AC freezes up, contact the ACE-certified Experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to fix the trouble. We have a lot of experience helping homeowners diagnose their air conditioners, and we’re confident we can get things running again quickly. Contact us at 866-397-3787 to schedule air conditioning repair in the U.S. with us today.