How to Fix a Frozen Air Conditioner 

Summer’s coming (we promise) and here’s an all-to-familiar scenario with the average homeowner: They’re sitting in their house, minding their own business, happily indulging a bowl of popcorn and watching their favorite TV show, when they notice that terrible sound; drip… drip… drip. They turn their head to see the cat licking at a puddle that’s steadily forming on the dining room floor. In a flash: Anxiety, stress, and that sinking feeling. How did the leak start?; water heater, leaky toilet, shower, faucet? Nope – it’s the air conditioner of all things. This can strike anywhere, from San Antonio to Timbuktu, regardless of climate. 

Why Air Conditioners Freeze 

When a central air conditioner freezes up, what actually freezes is the condenser unit’s evaporator coil. This component of the air conditioner transfers (evaporates) heat from the inside to the outside of your San Antonio area home. Usually there are two factors why the evaporator coil may freeze: 

1. Airflow restriction 

2. Low refrigerant 

Either way, the outcome is that the air conditioner’s evaporator coil cannot operate to properly transfer heat, and consequently ‘overcools’ itself. The impact of this super-cooling is condensation (that’s water formation), and eventually ice forms from that condensation as it cools below the freezing point. In short, the A/C transformed into an old-school icebox. 

What Can You Do When Your A/C Freezes? 

• Turn the A/C 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. 

• Check to ensure that the airflow around your system is unrestricted. Replace the furnace or air handler’s filter and replace any return air filters. Open all the registers completely and confirm that they are not obstructed by furniture or drapes. 

• Call Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air. The air conditioning system needs to be professionally inspected 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 turn into a pricey repair. When your AC freezes over it can lead to damage to the compressor. Replacing your compressor can cost as much as a downpayment on a new system. Actually, many homeowners are forced to pick between installing a new system vs repairing the old one. If you follow the steps above and quickly call a ACE-certified technician, you stand a better chance of getting a less expensive repair. 

Your technician will quickly analyze the problem 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 probably freeze again.