Summer’s coming (as hard as it is to believe right now) and here's a common scenario with the average homeowner: They’re relaxing in their living room, minding their own business, happily indulging a bowl of popcorn and watching Netflix, when they notice that terrible sound; drip... drip... drip. They glance over to see the household pet licking at a puddle that's slowly forming on the kitchen floor. In a flash: Concern, stress, and that “how much will this cost?” feeling. Where did the leak come from?; water heater, leaky toilet, shower, faucet? Not necessarily – the central air conditioner is frozen solid. This can occur anywhere, from Ravenna to Thailand, regardless of climate.
Why Air Conditioners Freeze
The part of the air conditioner that actually freezes is known as the evaporator coil. This component of the air conditioner transfers (evaporates) heat from the inside to the outside of your Ravenna area home. There are two primary reasons the evaporator coil may freeze:
- Restricted air flow
- Insufficient refrigerant
Either way, the ending effect is that the air conditioner's evaporator coil cannot operate to properly transfer heat, and consequently 'overcools' itself. The result of this super-cooling is condensation (that's water formation), and over time ice forms from that condensation as it cools below the freezing point. In other words, the A/C just turned into an old-school icebox.
What Should You Do When Your A/C Freezes?
- Turn the system completely off at the thermostat, and don’t try to thaw the system by increasing the temperature at the thermostat. Ensure the A/C system is completely OFF.
- Confirm that there is nothing restricting the airflow to the system. Replace the furnace or air handler's filter along with any return air filters. Open all the registers completely and ensure that they are not obstructed by furniture or curtains.
- Call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. The air conditioning system needs to be serviced by a professional that is ACE-certified to ensure there are no refrigerant leaks or damage to the equipment. Simply schedule a Performance Inspection or Repair Diagnostic online, or call to talk to a live person right away.
What Does it Cost to Repair?
This can become an expensive repair. When your air conditioner ices over it can lead to a totaled compressor. Replacing your compressor could cost as much as a downpayment on a high efficiency model. Unfortunately, many people are forced to choose between installing a new system and repairing the old one. If you act quickly and call a ACE-certified technician, you stand a better chance of getting a less expensive repair.
Your technician will diagnose the situation and how to avoid the issue from occurring in the future. If a leak exists (and that is rare, but possible), the leak has to be repaired or the unit will most likely freeze again.