How to Fix a Frozen Air Conditioner 

Summer’s coming (we promise) and here’s a common scenario with the average homeowner: They’re relaxing in their living room, minding their own business, having a bowl of popcorn and watching a movie, when suddenly he/she hears terrible sound; drip… drip… drip. They turn their head to see the dog licking at a puddle that’s gradually forming on the bathroom floor. Just like that, the mood changes: Anxiety, stress, and that “how much will this cost?” feeling. What caused the leak?; water heater, leaky toilet, shower, faucet? Nope – the central air conditioner is frozen solid. This can happen anywhere, from the U.S. to Thailand, 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 the U.S. area home. The two main reasons why the evaporator coil may freeze:

1. 1. The restriction of the system’s airflow

2. 2. Lack of sufficient refrigerant

Either way, the result is that the air conditioner’s evaporator coil cannot operate to properly transfer heat, and in effect ‘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 has morphed into an old-school icebox.

What Should You Do When Your A/C Freezes?

• • Turn the unit completely off at the thermostat, and do not just move up the temperature on the thermostat. It is important that the A/C system is completely OFF.

• • Do what you can to ensure airflow is not restricted. Replace the furnace or air handler’s filter and replace any return air filters. Open all the registers completely and verify that they are not obstructed by furniture or drapery.

• • Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. 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 costly repair. When your AC ices over it can lead to damage to the compressor. Replacing your compressor could cost as much as a downpayment on a brand new air conditioner. Actually, many homeowners are forced to choose between installing a new system vs repairing the damaged one. If you move fast, follow the instructions, and call a ACE-certified technician, you have better odds of having a less expensive job.

Your technician will quickly analyze the problem and how to avoid the issue from occurring in the future. If a leak was really the cause (and that is rare, but possible), the leak has to be repaired or the unit will likely freeze again.