What Causes an Air Conditioner to Freeze Up

July 9, 2013

Sweating it out while your air conditioner coil is frozen is an exasperating experience. Identifying the source of the problem as soon as possible will help you avoid possible damage to your compressor and wasted energy dollars. When trying to figure out what causes an air conditioner to freeze up in your Mount Vernon home, you should address the following areas of concern:

Refrigerant: If your system is low on refrigerant it could cause your coil to get too cold. Having an A/C technician repair leaks and top off the refrigerant will take care of the problem.

Airflow: Warm air from your house helps keep the coil from freezing. Without sufficient airflow, the coil doesn’t stay warm and condensed water starts to freeze up before it can drain. To avoid airflow problems, see if your air filter is dirty and make sure all the air vents in your house are open, allowing air to flow freely.
Fan: The fan should be moving air when your air conditioner is running. If the fan is not running fast enough, your technician may be able to set it to a higher speed and prevent future freeze-ups.
Thermostat: If the thermostat is not functioning properly in your Naples home, your system could run all night on a cool night, freezing the coil and wasting your energy dollars.

Please be aware:
Humidity and heat meeting the cold evaporator coil cause condensation to build up in the drip pan, freezing and blocking the drain hole with ice. An overflowing drip pan is not what causes an air conditioner to freeze up, but rather is the result of a frozen coil.

If you need help determining what causes an air conditioner to freeze up, contact Wood Air Conditioning & Plumbing Inc. Our high quality technicians have been serving the Mount Pleasant and Titus County area for more than 56 years.