You’d be forgiven for thinking that freezing up might be a good thing for an air conditioner because it could make the air colder. However, this is the opposite of what you want it to do. If your unit freezes up, it will usually blow warm air or just completely shut down. Here are the top three reasons why your air conditioner could freeze up in your Bend, OR home.
How Poor Airflow Causes Your Air Conditioner to Freeze
The main cause for freeze-ups is a lack of airflow in your air conditioner. Often, it is simply because the system’s air filter is clogged with dust. When this happens, the AC is deprived of air, and its coils will freeze. It is essential to inspect your air filter every month and replace it when it is dirty. Changing the filter and allowing your unit to defrost are often all you need to do.
Other possible causes of poor airflow that require servicing by a professional include a bad blower motor, low voltage to the blower motor or fan, or an obstructed air duct.
- Low Refrigerant Level
A low refrigerant level will cause an air conditioner to freeze up. This could be caused by a leak somewhere in the system. In this case, your unit needs to be inspected and repaired by a professional. You can avoid this problem by having your AC tuned up before the summer. Your technician will check the refrigerant and recharge your system if the level is low.
- Dirty Evaporator Coils
Your air conditioner’s evaporator coils are located inside its air handler. They can become caked with dust if you have frequently run your system with a dirty filter or without one. The dust insulates the coils and traps the cold inside. This causes them to freeze up. You will need to have your evaporator coils cleaned to stop this from recurring.
What Should You Do If Your Ac Freezes Up?
If your air conditioner is blowing warm air, the first thing to do is look for ice buildup on your outdoor unit. If there is ice present, turn your thermostat off, which will turn off the AC’s compressor and start the defrosting process. You should then call for service to prevent further damage to your system. In Bend, contact Mountain View Heating to schedule service. We can handle all your cooling, heating, and indoor air quality repair, maintenance, and installation concerns.
