It’s common that air conditioners freeze during the summer. You’ll see frost on the copper tubing of the outdoor AC unit or elsewhere. You can turn off your AC system so the ice melts, but it’s important to know why it froze up.
Low Refrigerant Level
Your air conditioning system is designed to operate with the refrigerant at the right pressure. If the pressure is low, it can cause outside air to condense and freeze. You’ll need to have a professional HVAC technician measure and restore your refrigerant’s level to correct this problem. We often come across air conditioning systems with too little refrigerant.
Clogged Air Filter
The air filter in your air conditioning system is a critical component. It blocks dust, dirt, and other contaminants from settling on critical parts and reducing the indoor air quality of your home. If you don’t change it regularly, it will become clogged and start to obstruct airflow.
Poor airflow will cause your outdoor AC unit to overcool. It will then freeze up. Check the air filter every month, and be sure to replace it at least every three months or when it looks dirty.
Thermostat Set Too Low
When you set the thermostat too low, that also leads to overcooling and condensation freezing. It’s best to set it between 70 and 78 degrees. Set it higher when it gets scorching hot outside so that your air conditioner doesn’t freeze up.
Inadequate Draining
Your AC system has a drain system that routes water away from it to the outdoors. If this becomes clogged, water will collect in your system. Make sure the outlet isn’t clogged with dirt, and contact an HVAC company if you need help.
Brian's Heating & Cooling, Inc. repairs, replaces, and tunes-up furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners, and packaged systems in Madera, CA. We’re also able to help you with tankless water heaters, indoor air quality solutions, duct cleaning, duct sealing, ventilation, energy audits, and ductless mini-splits. We’ve been repairing AC systems since 2005. Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced technicians.
