Simple Steps for Fixing a Frozen Air Conditioner

Does the air emitting from your supply registers suddenly seem not cold enough? Look at the indoor part of your air conditioner. This component is housed inside your furnace or air handler, if you rely on a heat pump. If there’s water leaking onto the floor, there could be ice on the evaporator coil. The AC coil inside the system may have frozen. You’ll need to defrost it before it can cool your residence again. 

Here’s the steps you should take. If you can’t get the coil frost-free, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is here to help with air conditioning repair in the U.S. that includes a a 100% satisfaction guarantee.* 

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

To begin—move the thermostat from “cool” to “off.” This halts chilled refrigerant from moving to the outdoor compressor, which could harm it and cause a pricey repair. 

Next, move the fan from “auto” to “on.” This creates hot airflow over the frosty coils to help them thaw faster. Make sure to set the cooling mode to “off” so the air conditioner doesn’t begin a cooling cycle. 

It can take less than an hour or the majority of the day for the ice to melt, depending on the degree of the ice. While you’re waiting, check the condensate pan underneath the AC unit. If the drain line is blocked, it may overflow as the ice melts, likely creating water damage. 

Step 2: Diagnose the Issue 

Low airflow is a prime cause for an AC to become frozen. Here’s how to figure out the issue: 

  • Exmaine the filter. Inadequate airflow through a dirty filter could be the culprit. Look at and change the filter once a month or once you notice dust buildup. 
  • Open any sealed supply vents. Your residence’s supply registers should be open always. Shutting vents decreases airflow over the evaporator coil, which could lead it to freeze. 
  • Check for obstructed return vents. These typically don’t come with adjustable louvers, but furniture, rugs or curtains can still block them. 
  • Not enough refrigerant: While airflow restrictions are the most common culprit, your air conditioner could also not have enough refrigerant. Depending on when it was installed, it may rely on Freon®. Not enough refrigerant requires skilled help from a certified HVAC specialist. H2: Step 3: Contact an HVAC Professional at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 

If inadequate airflow doesn’t appear to be the trouble, then another issue is leading your AC freeze. If this is what’s happening, just defrosting it won’t repair the issue. The evaporator coil is likely to freeze again unless you take care of the main symptom. Contact an HVAC specialist to look for troubles with your air conditioner, which could include: 

  • Refrigerant leak: AC units continuously use refrigerant, so it shouldn’t run low. Insufficient refrigerant signals a leak somewhere. Only a pro can find the leak, mend it, and recharge the air conditioning to the correct level. 
  • Grimy evaporator coil: If dust collects on the coil, air can’t reach it, and it’s likely to freeze. 
  • Broken blower: A bad motor or unbalanced fan might halt airflow over the evaporator coil. 

When your AC freezes up, contact the ACE-certified specialists at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to fix the issue. We have a lot of experience helping homeowners troubleshoot their air conditioners, and we’re certain we can get things working again in no time. Contact us at 866-397-3787 to schedule air conditioning repair in the U.S. with us right away. 

Savings For You

See All Offers Here >
parts and labor icon

$50 OFF Any Repair

  • Save $50 on a Paid Service
  • Written 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
  • Plus, ask how to save an additional 15% and waive your trip charge!
print

Make No Payments for 30 Days!

  • Upgrade to Worry-Free Comfort with the Advantage Program and make NO payments for 30 days!
print

© 2024 Service Experts, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, and the Service Experts logo and design are registered trademarks of Service Experts LLC and used under license by SE Canada Inc. All Rights Reserved. *Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.