One of the most common air conditioning problems we see here in San Antonio is AC systems that freeze up. At first thought, that may not make sense. How can your air conditioner freeze when it’s working so hard outside in the heat to keep you cool? But that’s exactly what happens – and there are a few, typical reasons why.
Let’s first tackle the main issue. When your AC freezes up and stops cooling, it’s the evaporator coil that’s having issues. And it all comes down to airflow. When there’s little to no airflow to the coil, condensation on the coil freezes. So what can you do to prevent this? Make sure you’re taking care of simple maintenance issues like regularly changing your air filter and getting a tune-up twice a year to check for any issues.
Another common culprit for AC freezes is a leak in refrigerant. When your system is low on Freon, it’s typically because there’s a leak somewhere. So, yes – some AC companies will top off your system. Your AC, once it thaws, will begin running again. But for how long? If there’s a leak and it’s not fixed, you’re going to continue having problems. Make sure you have a professional HVAC technician find and repair the leak before having him or her recharge your system.
Now that we’ve covered the main causes, what do you do if your system does freeze up? First, make sure and switch the system OFF at the thermostat. This will allow the freeze to defrost. Then switch the fan setting ON and let it run for an hour or so. Use this time to check your filter(s). If they’re dirty, change them. Check the coil outside and see if it needs to be swept. Then turn the system back on COOL, and you should be good to go. If you continue to have issues, call Champion Home Services!
