Air conditioners are our last line of defense against the brutal summer heat. They redistribute air through our homes, making each of them comfortable to live in.
But if your AC unit freezes, your household will be anything but cool. A frozen AC unit can strike any time of year, no matter the temperature outside. Thankfully, there are some steps you can take to fix it before too much damage is done.
In the meantime, crack open a window and read on to find out what to do when your AC unit freezes up.
1. Turn off the Frozen AC Unit
The first step to fixing a frozen HVAC unit is to turn it off. The longer your AC tries to run before the problem is fixed, the more ice will build up.
Turn off the breaker switch that’s connected to your AC for central air or unplug your window unit from the wall. Wait for the ice to thaw off on its own before attempting a fix. If it’s warm enough outside to be running the air conditioner (over 60 degrees Fahrenheit outside), it won’t take long to melt.
Avoid using a hairdryer or trying to chip off chunks of ice, as you could damage some of the components.
2. Dry off the Coils
After you’ve waited for your AC to un-freeze, dry off the cooling coils. If you can access them easily, pat them dry with a towel. If your AC unit has a condensation pan, empty that and wipe it down as well.
Then, turn your unit on and set it to “fan” only (not cool or heat) to finish drying out the inside of the machine.
3. Check the Filter
After everything has dried off, shut your AC unit off again and take a look at the air filter. If it gets too caked with dust and debris, it can block the flow of air through the AC unit and lead to freezing.
Open up the unit to make sure the filters are installed correctly and then check to make sure they’re clean. If not, replacing them may fix your problem.
4. No Clogs, Kinks, or Debris
If your HVAC unit still isn’t running correctly, it could be due to a blockage somewhere. Check around the external vents, evaporative coils, and connected ductwork to make sure none of them are clogged with debris.
If it looks like liquid backed up into the unit or your AC line is frozen, check to make sure there are no kinks or leaks in the AC line or drainage hose.
What to Do When Your AC Unit Freezes up and You Can’t Fix It
Sometimes, no matter how familiar you are with what to do when your AC unit freezes up, a simple fix won’t cut it. If you’ve gone through this list and can’t find the problem (or aren’t sure where to start), it might be time to call in some professional help.
R & R Heating and Air has been servicing HVAC units all over the Metro Atlanta area for a decade, so if your AC stops working, give us a call. Contact us today to schedule an air conditioning repair technician.
