What to Do if Your A/C Freezes in Summer

What to Do if Your A/C Freezes in SummerWhen the airflow or refrigerant level is too low in an air conditioner, an A/C freezes over because the evaporator coil inside the air handler stays too cold. A frozen coil stops the cooling process in your home, even though the system continues to run. If the system runs too long with a frozen coil, damage to crucial parts of the system can be extensive.

Thawing the Coil

Use a hair dryer to blow warm air over the coil, or if the drain pan and drainpipe are clear, pour water over the coil. Do not chip away at the frost with a sharp implement. Doing so could cause devastating damage to the coil.

Low Airflow

  • Check the air filter. If it’s dirty, there’s a possibility that not enough air is blowing over the evaporator coil inside the air handler.
  • Look over the evaporator coil. If you can access the coil, examine it for dust or mold growth. Either of these will insulate the coil and prevent the coil from absorbing the heat from the air blowing over it. When it stays too cold too long, the A/C freezes over. You can wipe away the dust, but may need a coil cleaner available from a home improvement center to remove the mold from the coil.

Low Refrigerant

If the filter is clean and the coil appears to be free from dust or mold, your system may be low on refrigerant. You’ll have to have it checked by a licensed HVAC technician. Over time, pinhole leaks can form in the refrigerant lines, especially if dust accumulates on them or they’re exposed to corrosive chemicals.

The HVAC technician may be able to pinpoint the source of the leak and seal it. If it’s not practical, you may need to replace the refrigerant line or the coil that is leaking.

Most of the problems associated with A/C freezes are caused by the lack of maintenance. If you haven’t scheduled the cooling season servicing yet, contact Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company. We provide trusted HVAC services for Yuma-area homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Yuma, Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 928-723-3183.