Does your AC freeze up sometimes and you don’t know the exact cause? Not to Worry.
We will tell you the most common reasons this happens. Air conditioning units keep homes and buildings cool, regulating the temperatures for the comfort of the occupants. AC units work by drawing out hot air and letting the cool air circulate in a wider area in the room. The cool air generated replaces the hot air, cooling down the room.
Air conditioners are often compared to heat pumps. They operate similarly, but their cooling cycles are what differentiates them. For an air conditioner to cool air, it goes through a certain process. In the first stage, the heat in the room is absorbed by a liquid called the refrigerant. It converts the heat to gas and elevates its temperature by passing it through a compressor, then the refrigerant ducts, the condensing coils and the heat is taken out of the AC.
During this process, the AC unit freezes and gets frozen. This affects its general efficiency and thus the AC doesn’t work as it should. There are times when you troubleshoot your AC unit, only to be met by a thick layer of ice. AC units are often used in hot summer months, so what could cause this ice? This is one of the many common issues we have dealt with when repairing air conditioners in Hamilton Ontario. Our team has done many ac repairs near Central Hamilton, Flamborough and Rolston in Hamilton Ontario. If you think your AC could be freezing up then contact our Topcare HVAC of Hamilton Ontario technicians to schedule a service call.
Below are some of the reasons that air conditioners freeze up.
Why Does My Air Conditioner Freeze Up? Reduced or Zero Airflow
Do you wonder what may make your air conditioning unit freeze? This can be a result of decreased or low flow of air. If the air that flows from the house to the AC or from the AC to the house is cut in some way, there is a reduction in the exchange of thermal or heat energy between the AC and the home.
As a result, the cooler air is concentrated around the condenser coil and the fins of the evaporator. The temperature around these components drops causing ice to form. The more it goes on, the more ice is formed. Eventually, the whole AC unit will freeze up. If there is an insufficient circulation of air, the heat energy is not enough to condense the moisture.
Low Refrigerant
If an air conditioning unit lacks sufficient refrigerant or there is a leak, the system will have a lower saturation point. Because of this, it will take lower temperatures to turn the condensed liquid compressed by the evaporator into vapor. This in turn means that the temperature of the coils is lower than its usual temperature. The moisture gathered from the heat and humidity in the air will freeze rapidly because of very low temperature.
The moisture doesn’t condense into water collect into the pan that drains it out. Instead, it collects around the coils and evaporator fins and forming a layer of ice or a block of ice on that part of the AC unit.
Damaged blower fan
Thinking about why the AC unit is frozen outside as opposed to inside the unit? A blower fan functions to take out cold air while taking in warmer air. When the air temperatures cool inside the air conditioner, the air becomes dense and does not move as much as it would if it was warm.
An air conditioner’s efficiency lies in producing cool air. This is dependent on the proper flow of air in the machine as well as the balance of air pressure. The fan can be damaged in its normal functioning. The evaporation and draining of moisture from the air won’t be prompt and efficient because of the increase in condensation around the coils.
In addition to restricting hot airflow, a broken fan can cause the line holding the refrigerant to freeze. This can extend to the external area of the AC unit.
Blockage of Air-Cooling Coils
Another possible cause for the AC freeing can be a blockage/clogging of the condensing coils. These air cooling coils can be filled with muck, dirt, dust and other particles that eventually block the flow of air into them. This leads to the freezing of the AC unit.
A lack of consistent airflow can lead to a reduction in the unit’s cooling capacity. If this continues chronically, it leads to the AC unit freezing. A similar challenge is the water collecting in the coils. This water would need to be drained.
Drainage Issues
The drains that take out the condensed moisture from air conditioning units are usually found outside. In a situation where the coils break and the AC unit freezes, the ice that forms outside causes the drain to block. The unit may still operate but it will take up more energy and shoot up your utility bills.
Drainage blockages can severely damage the compressor as well as other key components of the air conditioning unit.
Mixture of other issues
It may not be one individual problem, but several different types of issues that make your air conditioning unit freeze up. If your AC unit has a low amount of refrigerant, you may not notice that anything is wrong, or even no freezing may occur at all. But if this issue is together with the expanding thermal valve, it may form ice. Sooner or later, the coil will be entirely frozen.
Keep your eyes open for the malfunction of this valve. It’s very common in AC units that are about fifteen years and older. The valve functions to regulate the flow of the refrigerant. If the valve isn’t working well, frost may form in the air conditioning system.
Conclusion
Air conditioners do a lot to cool a room, house or building. Unfortunately, the unit just might freeze and this affects its efficiency. Despite whatever reason causes your AC unit to freeze, you should not be hasty to handle this by using heat to melt the ice. This can propagate further damage that will be costly.
It’s best to seek out a professional and that’s where we come in. Our HVAC technicians have years of experience and are ready to administer professional services right when you call.
Having routine checkups and maintenance can help to prevent your air conditioner from freezing. If your AC unit freezes, it’s best to turn it off. Using your AC in that condition will worsen the situation.
Call Us Today
Our company offers professional AC services including installing new units, maintenance, diagnostics and repair, replacement of AC units among other issues. We can repair your frozen AC unit and ensure that is back to working as it should. We are the best in the heating and cooling business and are ready and willing to serve you at your convenience.
