It’s the middle of summer and you notice the temperature inside your home keeps climbing. You check on your air conditioner, only to be surprised by the sight of ice on the evaporator coil in the middle of a 90-degree day.
About three-quarters of U.S homes use air conditioning to cool their homes. A frozen evaporator coil is one of the most common air conditioning issues homeowners face.
Are you experiencing problems with your AC? Click here and find out the most common causes of frozen evaporator coils today.
1. Refrigerant Leak Causing a Frozen Evaporator Coil
Refrigerant is the chemical that runs through the evaporator coil in a continuous loop, causing a change in pressure and temperature to remove heat from your home. If there is a refrigerant leak this causes a lack of pressure and results in a runaway cooling effect causing the coils to freeze over.
2. Blocked Air Ducts
If too many of your floor or ceiling registers are manually shut off this can create insufficient airflow to your AC unit. This also happens if rugs or furniture are blocking your registers. Improper air circulation can eventually make the coils too cold, causing them to freeze.
3. Dirty Coil
Over time, dust and dirt collect on the evaporator coil. This creates improper airflow needed to move heat and can lead to a frozen coil. Gently cleaning dust and debris from the coil once or twice a year can keep your unit working properly.
4. Malfunctioning Blower Fan
A blower fan that is dirty or malfunctioning can lead to low or no airflow to your air conditioner. Everything else can be working properly, but if the fan is not pushing air through the system your coil can still freeze over. An experienced air handler repair company can service or replace a malfunctioning blower fan.
5. Dirty Air Filter
A clogged air filter will obstruct air from getting in and out of the unit. No circulation means your coils will get too cold and freeze. Clean or replace your air filters a few times a year.
6. Condensate Lines Are Blocked
The condensate lines drain away excess moisture caused by humidity. The moisture travels to a floor drain through pipes. If the pipe is blocked it can freeze.
If this happens near the evaporator coil, which is the coldest part of the unit, a blocked condensate line can cause the water and coil to freeze.
7. Malfunctioning Thermostat
If the thermostat on your air conditioner isn’t sensing the correct temperature, it can cause your unit to run too long. This can weaken the system over time. An overworked AC can eventually develop frozen evaporator coils.
Find the Solution to Your Frozen Evaporator Coil
Many factors can lead to a frozen evaporator coil. Whether it is something simple like a dirty filter or more advanced like a broken blower fan. Check with your reliable heating and air conditioning repair company to keep your AC running properly.
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