How to Fix a Frozen Air Conditioner 

Summer’s coming (believe it or not) and here’s an often cited scenario with the average homeowner: They’re at home, minding their own business, happily indulging a bowl of popcorn and watching a movie, when suddenly he/she hears dreadful sound; drip… drip… drip. They turn their head to see the cat licking at a puddle that’s steadily forming on the bathroom floor. Just like that, the mood changes: Anxiety, stress, and that sinking feeling. How did the leak start?; water heater, leaky toilet, shower, faucet? Nope – it’s the air conditioner of all things. This can occur anywhere, from Fort Lauderdale to Timbuktu, regardless of weather. 

Why Air Conditioners Freeze 

The evaporator coil is the component of a central A/C unit that actually freezes. This component of the air conditioner transfers (evaporates) heat from the inside to the outside of your Fort Lauderdale area home. There are two primary reasons the evaporator coil may freeze: 

  1. Restricted air flow 
  1. Insufficient refrigerant 

Either way, the outcome is that the air conditioner’s evaporator coil does not properly transfer heat, and in essence ‘overcools’ itself. The net effect of this super-cooling is condensation (that’s water formation), and finally ice forms from that condensation as it cools below the freezing point. In other words, the A/C transformed into an old-school icebox. 

What Might You Do When Your A/C Freezes? 

  • Turn the A/C completely off at the thermostat, and do not increase the thermostat temperature as a way to melt the frost on the coils. Just make sure the A/C system is completely OFF. 
  • Do what you can to ensure airflow is not restricted. Replace the furnace or air handler’s filter as well as any return air filters. Open all the registers completely and verify that they are not blocked by furniture or drapes. 
  • Call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. The air conditioning system needs to be professionally inspected to ensure there are no refrigerant leaks or damage to the equipment. Simply schedule a Performance Inspection or Repair Diagnostic online, or call to talk to a live person right away. 

What Does it Cost to Repair? 

This can turn into a pricey repair. When your air conditioner freezes over it can lead to a compressor replacement. Replacing your compressor could cost as much as a downpayment on a brand new air conditioner. In fact, many homeowners are forced to decide between installing a new system vs repairing the damaged one. If you move fast, follow the instructions, and call a ACE-certified technician, you stand a better chance of getting a less expensive emergency. 

Your technician will diagnose the situation and how to avoid the issue from repeating in the future. If a leak was really the cause (and that is rare, but possible), the leak has to be repaired or the unit will probably freeze again. 

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