Simple Steps for Fixing a Frozen Air Conditioner

Does the air coming from your supply registers suddenly appear warm? Check the indoor part of your air conditioner. This piece is situated in your furnace or air handler, if you use a heat pump. If there’s water seeping onto the floor, there may be frost on the evaporator coil. The AC coil in the equipment may have frozen over. You’ll need to melt it before it can cool your residence again. 

Here’s the things you should do. If you can’t get the coil frost-free, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is here to support you with air conditioning repair in Fort Lauderdale backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.* 

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

To get started—switch the thermostat from “cool” to “off.” This stops cold refrigerant from going to the outdoor compressor, which could hurt it and cause an expensive repair. 

Next, switch the fan from “auto” to “on.” This produces heated airflow over the frozen coils to help them melt faster. Remember to set the cooling mode to “off” so the air conditioner doesn’t trigger a cooling cycle. 

It may take not more than an hour or most of the day for the ice to melt, depending on the degree of the ice. While you’re waiting, keep an eye on the condensate pan underneath the AC unit. If the drain line is clogged, it may spill over as the ice melts, likely creating water damage. 

Step 2: Troubleshoot the Problem 

Bad airflow is a prime cause for an AC to freeze up. Here’s how to get to the bottom of the situation: 

• Look at the filter. Poor airflow through a clogged filter could be the culprit. Look at and replace the filter monthly or once you see dust accumulation. 
• Open any closed supply vents. Your home’s supply registers should remain open all the time. Sealing vents limits airflow over the evaporator coil, which can result in it freezing. 
• Look for obstructed return vents. These typically don’t have moveable louvers, but furniture, rugs or curtains can still cover them. 
• Low refrigerant: While airflow restrictions are the most frequent suspect, your system may also have insufficient refrigerant. Depending on its age, it may have Freon®. Not enough refrigerant calls for skilled attention from a certified HVAC specialist. H2: Step 3: Get in Touch with an HVAC Specialist at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 

If low airflow doesn’t appear to be the issue, then another issue is causing your AC freeze. If this is what’s occurring, merely thawing it out won’t fix the issue. The evaporator coil is likely to continually freeze unless you fix the main cause. Contact an HVAC specialist to address problems with your air conditioner, which might include: 

• Refrigerant leak: AC units recycle refrigerant, so it shouldn’t run low. Low refrigerant indicates a leak somewhere. Only a specialist can find the leak, repair it, and recharge the air conditioner to the correct amount. 
• Grimy evaporator coil: If dirt builds up on the coil, air can’t flow over it, and it’s liable to freeze. 
• Nonfunctional blower: A broken motor or unbalanced fan could stop airflow over the evaporator coil. 

The next time your AC freezes up, contact the ACE-certified Experts at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to repair the issue. We have years of experience helping homeowners troubleshoot their air conditioners, and we’re sure we can get things operating again fast. Contact us at 954-736-4314 to schedule air conditioning repair in Fort Lauderdale with us now.