A couple of months ago, the HVAC unit in my home started malfunctioning. The temperature inside my home soared to over eighty degrees Fahrenheit, even though my air conditioning system ran nonstop. After inspecting my air conditioning unit, my knowledgeable HVAC contractor recommended I purchase a new system. He discussed the pros and cons of installing different sizes of HVAC units with me. After considering my HVAC contractor’s advice, I decided to purchase a three and a half ton HVAC unit. Shortly after my HVAC contractor installed my new air conditioning unit, my house started feeling more comfortable. On this blog, I hope you will discover how an HVAC contractor can help you select the right air conditioning unit for your home. Enjoy!
Air conditioners provide cooling to your home, allowing you to maintain a certain level of comfort throughout the summer months. However, due to the very nature of their operation, air conditioners are also susceptible to freezing and ice buildup, despite the weather conditions that they operate in. Thankfully, if your AC unit does freeze, you can easily do a few things to troubleshoot it and get it working normally again.
Determining if Your AC Unit is Frozen
AC units become frozen due to working at a high intensity for an extended period of time, usually coupled with some sort of mechanical failure. This causes condensation in the air on the interior of the unit to freeze, collecting on the coils. If your air conditioner has stopped blowing cold air and is producing warm or hot air instead, it may have become frozen. This is because the ice will prevent the coils from operating properly, turning your air conditioner into a glorified fan. Open up the evaporator unit (i.e. the interior unit of your central air conditioner) and inspect the coils for signs of ice buildup.
Defrosting Your AC Unit
If your air conditioner has become frozen, you can defrost it in a few simple steps. Firstly, you should turn off the unit entirely. This will prevent further ice from building up and will help reduce the amount of strain placed on the entire unit. Then, simply turn on the blower (sometimes labeled as a fan) for your unit to ensure proper airflow throughout your unit. Room temperature will thaw the ice, and having the fan running will help prevent water pooling in your unit. Avoid removing ice by hand, as you can cause physical damage to your AC unit, and do not use chemical deicers or salt, as these can cause problems within your unit as well.
Preventing Further Freezing
Air conditioners can freeze for a variety of reasons. Clogged air and vent filters are usually the most common cause, as dust buildup will restrict air flow and keep cold air inside the unit. You should also inspect the exterior condenser unit for organic debris that may have clogged the unit, which can increase the strain on the entire air conditioning system and induce freezing. Finally, freezing can also be caused by a refrigerant leak, which can be hard to identify yourself. However, if your defrosted unit still fails to blow cool air throughout your home, you should contact an AC repair professional immediately to come take a look at your unit and refill the refrigerant if necessary.
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