Protect your A/C unit in the summer heat by looking out for these common causes of freeze.
We all know the drill during summer months. It gets really, really hot. We crank down the thermostat and send our air conditioner into overdrive to try and keep us cool. Everything is great until your air conditioner freezes up. And a frozen A/C unit can ruin a hot summer day very fast.
How does an A/C freeze even seem possible? How can a A/C unit freeze when it’s working around the clock in 100-degree weather? There are two fairly common reasons for homeowners to know about A/C freeze. And trust us, it happens a lot.
Problem 1: Blocked air flow
The first potential problem of a frozen air conditioner is typically the air flow in your home. When your home’s air flow is restricted, there’s no air moving through the air conditioning system to keep the condensate on the coil from freezing. The culprit is usually a dirty air filter. This is a simple problem to prevent.
Best advice? Set reminders to regularly change your air filters and get a minimum of one A/C tune-up each year to keep your system clean and efficient. Earlier in the season is better for maintenance so we can get everything up and running before the hottest weather hits. Contact us at Total Mechanical Systems at (860) 314-1518 to schedule your annual maintenance today!
How to fix air flow when A/C freezes up?
If your air conditioner freezes up due to an air flow issue, first thing to do is switch it off to start the defrosting process. Next thing you should do is turn on the fan. Let it run for 60 to 90 minutes. Check and change your air filter during this time. After that, turn your air conditioner back to cool and it should start working again.
Problem 2. Refrigerant leaks
If air flow isn’t the concern, then there’s the issue of refrigerant leaks. This is another common cause of your A/C freezing up. Whenever you’re leaking Freon or other coolant, it’s a decision point for homeowners. When you have a leak, it’s best to either get it fixed or invest in a new A/C, depending on the age of your current system.
Yes, we could top off your coolant and get your system up and running again. However, it’s a temporary fix — and there’s no telling how long it will last. It could go a couple of months or a couple of weeks or a couple of hours before your A/C is frozen again.
If you suspect a leak, contact us at Total Mechanical Systems at (860) 314-1518 as soon as possible. One of our licensed technicians will pinpoint and repair the A/C issue before it causes any other headaches.
https://www.angieslist.com/articles/2-common-reasons-your-ac-freezes.htm
