Ever wonder why your heat pump AC coil freezes up in the summer? While the thought of freezing when it’s sweltering outside is weird, AC coil freezing is a common issue homeowners face.

Whether you have a completely blocked vent or broken components, there are numerous approaches to detecting and preventing your AC coil from freezing. More on Frozen AC

How Does an Air Conditioner Freeze Up?

What Causes an Air Conditioner to Freeze Up in the Summer?

It is even possible for your A/C to freeze during the hot summertime. What Causes an Air Conditioner to Freeze?

If the levels are too low, the refrigerant in your AC system is only going to cause you to freeze up your whole unit.

Almost universally, a refrigerant leak is the cause of low refrigerant levels in your system. If there is a lack of refrigerant, this will affect the ability of your AC to properly moderate the heat, and thus results in your AC freezing.

• Clogged or Dirty Air Filters: Your unit needs proper air flow to operate. Dirty or Clogged Air Filter: When there is a reduction of flow of airstream in the system, any cold air would get caught and could cause your AC unit to freeze.
• Coil Issues: If you have dirty or broken coils, they are not going to work as well in absorbing the heat. Keeping the coils warm, otherwise these coils will start freezing sooner.
• Thermostat: If your thermostat becomes damaged, might that you are no longer allowed to alter the temperature of your AC unit. This can leave your system open to constant cold air, an uncontrolled air temperature which will Freeze the unit.
• Broken or slow fan: Airflow can be hindered by a bad, simply running fan. The fan of the Cooling / Condensing unit that control temperature of AC plugs, and if it does not work then wetness already there on coil freeze once meet with Cold liquid and gas of AC ref python.
• Vent blockages: The air your AC unit is producing has to expend atrocious of the system. Second, when the system is in use and there are vents either close or block, cold air will remain trapped inside the unit — increasing the chance of ice forming.
• Age: Your AC unit might have a lot of life left, but if it is freezing regularly it could be telling you that the entire system breaks down. The constant use of your system also means with time the unit will loose its newness and the problems mentioned above will tend to pop up.

How to Stop Your Air Conditioner AC Coil from Freezing in Hot Weather

Now that you understand why air conditioners freeze and appreciate the best way to prevent an air conditioner from freezing in a summer.

Preventing your AC system from freezing can be very easy: simply follow these few simple steps to inspect and maintain it properly. Feel free to take a look at some common tips on how you can prevent your AC unit from freezing up when it is hot out.

Check Refrigerant Levels

In most cases, a low refrigerant level means you have a refrigerant leak. One of the common causes for ice buildup on your air conditioner is due to a refrigerant leak.

Refrigerant will not flow out of your air conditioner if it is low. The coils would be dropping down to subfreezing temperatures so that you get frozen coils.

These coils are so cold that the water vapor in your air will condense and freeze around the coil. If that persists, your coils will transform from bearing a light frost to essentially being covered in a thick coat of ice, the point at which it starts getting really bad.

The refrigerant lines but also the evaporator coil or compressor are frequently susceptible to leaks. Get an HVAC professional to look at your air conditioning system in order to check refrigerant gas levels or identify any leaks.

Change Your Air Filter

Clogged air filters cause limited or blocked airflow. When ice forms on the evaporator coil of an AC because the air duct is not providing enough airflow.

Fortunately, this can be avoided because you should already be at least checking and replacing air filters on a regular basis anyways. Other than making the air you breath air cleaner, maintaining a clean air filter will also help your AC perform better.

Filters must be cleaned or replaced every month or two. For you, more frequent means maybe in the months that you use your AC most often; usually during summer.

Inspect the Drain Line

When it comes to cooling the air within your home, the AC system can remove moisture from the air.

Your AC system has its own separate condensate drain line that helps get rid of this liquid, although this drain line can become clogged and flood. In the case that there is a lot of water that is overflowing, as it hits your evaporator coil, it will begin to freeze.

And if you think that the clogs in your drain lines, a wet/dry shop vacuum will assist you eliminate any particles that could be inflicting your air conditioning unit to freeze on warm summer days.

Keep Your Vents Open

You can also check to see if your vents open or look for potential things that are blocking it, like furniture.

When vents have been blocked or closed off, the air cannot circulate properly which will result in your AC freezing up. As a general rule, try not to close more than two or three vents at once.

Check The Fan Working Properly

The air flow that prevents the evaporator coil from seizing up is made by the blower fan in your AC system.

An inefficient or snapped fan causes the system to have a very limited airflow, which can trigger the system to freeze up. You should speak with an HVAC technician to check on any issues that your fan may be experiencing.

Should You Repair or Replace an Air Conditioner That Freezes Up?

We recommend you have a HVAC professional come and inspect your AC unit to find the cause of your frozen AC and how to fix it.

You could have a minor problem that can be fixed without to much trouble in order to get your system working properly once again.

You would save money in the long run with a new system because of less repairs and efficient use, but most importantly you will have peace of mind that your AC is working right. Contact your local HVAC technician to discuss your options and it is repair or replacement the best choice for you?

Trust Day & Night Plumbing for All of Your AC Needs

For those who don’t have time and fixing expertise, there is always the option of REPLACING your AC unit parts if you call Day & Night Plumbing today!

For example, for a comfortable home during summer you can choose to rely on products such the Day & Night Plumbing new AC installation service and installation of a new Ductless Mini-Split. To find out how to best cool your Albuquerque home, contact the experienced professionals at Day & Night Plumbing.

For more tips and information about AC coil freeze troubleshooting, you can visit our blog at Day & Night Plumbing.