3 Simple Ways to Restore a Frozen Air Conditioner

Does the air emitting from your supply registers abruptly feel warm? Look at the indoor portion of your air conditioner. This part is situated in your furnace or air handler, if you use a heat pump. If there’s water dripping onto the floor, there may be frost on the evaporator coil. The AC coil inside the unit may have frozen over. You’ll need to defrost it before it can cool your residence again.

Here’s what to do. If you can’t get the coil frost-free, Rolf Griffin Service Experts is here to assist you with air conditioning repair in Fort Wayne upheld by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.*

Step 1: Switch the Air Conditioning Off and the Blower On

First things first—switch the thermostat from “cool” to “off.” This prevents chilled refrigerant from moving to the outdoor compressor, which could damage it and cause a pricey repair.

After that, move the fan from “auto” to “on.” This produces hot airflow over the frosty coils to make them thaw faster. Make sure to set the cooling mode to “off” so the air conditioner doesn’t start a cooling cycle.

It might take not more than an hour or the majority of the day for the ice to defrost, depending on the amount of the ice. While you’re waiting, check the condensate pan under the AC unit. If the drain line is obstructed, it could cause a mess as the ice melts, potentially causing water damage.

Step 2: Diagnose the Problem

Bad airflow is a main cause for an AC to frost over. Here’s how to figure out the issue:

  • Exmaine the filter. Low airflow through a dusty filter could be the culprit. Check and put in a new filter monthly or immediately when you see dust accumulation.
  • Open any sealed supply vents. Your house’s supply registers should remain open all the time. Closing vents limits airflow over the evaporator coil, which might result in it freezing.
  • Check for covered return vents. These typically don’t have moveable louvers, but furniture, rugs or curtains can still obstruct them.
  • Insufficient refrigerant: While airflow restrictions are the most frequent cause, your air conditioner could also have insufficient refrigerant. Depending on its age, it may have Freon®. Low refrigerant requires pro help from a certified HVAC specialist. H2: Step 3: Get in Touch with an HVAC Tech at Rolf Griffin Service Experts

If inadequate airflow doesn’t appear to be the problem, then something else is causing your AC freeze up. If this is what’s going on, simply thawing it out won’t repair the trouble. The evaporator coil will probably keep freezing unless you repair the root issue. Call an HVAC professional to look for problems with your air conditioner, which can include:

  • Refrigerant leak: AC units continuously use refrigerant, so it shouldn’t run low. Low refrigerant means there’s a leak somewhere. Only a pro can locate the leak, repair it, and recharge the air conditioning to the correct amount.
  • Filthy evaporator coil: If dirt accumulates on the coil, air can’t reach it, and it’s liable to freeze.
  • Broken blower: A defective motor or unbalanced fan can prevent airflow over the evaporator coil.

The next time your AC freezes up, call on the ACE-certified technicians at Rolf Griffin Service Experts to repair the trouble. We have a lot of experience helping homeowners diagnose their air conditioners, and we’re certain we can get things operating again fast. Contact us at 260-557-1275 to get air conditioning repair in Fort Wayne with us right away.

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*Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.

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