3 Things To Do When Air Conditioner Coils Freeze

Posted on: May 28, 2019

There are a number of important elements within your AC unit. The coils found on your air conditioner help with the movement of condensed water. If there is a problem with your unit, the coils may freeze, which prevents water movement that can completely shut down your AC.

How to Know If the Coil Is Frozen

It’s always a good idea to perform general AC maintenance on your system. These routine inspections will help your system operate with maximum efficiency and avoid extensive damage later on. 

There are several signs of a potentially frozen evaporator coil. These signs include:

• Ice forming around the evaporator coil
• Ice forming around the outdoor refrigerant line
• Moisture built up around the air handler
• Overflowing condensate drain pan

If your air conditioner coils have frozen, try these three AC troubleshooting tips: 

1. Clean the Evaporator Coils

One reason why your coils might freeze is if gunk and other debris forms around them. This essentially insulates the coil, which causes the cold fluid running through it to lower the colder temperature and then freeze. If you take advantage of annual AC maintenance from a service provider such as Airco Service, you’ll avoid this problem. 

If you haven’t had maintenance and want to clean the coils yourself, access your AC unit and clean any dust that has settled in the area. You can also purchase an evaporator coil cleaner solution (You can likely find something at your local home improvement store.).

Spray the evaporator coils with this solution. It will help break up and loosen debris that is stuck to the coils. Then take a cloth to the coil; the gunk should come off easily. 

2. Low Refrigerant

If you have a problem with the refrigerant on your AC there isn’t much you can do on your own. It runs on a closed system (in most cases), so you shouldn’t ever need to replace the refrigerant. If you think the refrigerant is low, it means there is a leak somewhere. If you attempt to run the AC with low refrigerant, it will place additional strain on the system (including the coils), which may cause ice to form. If your unit’s refrigerant is low, you need to contact professional. 

3. Airflow Issues

One reason your coils freeze might be because of an airflow problem. You need constant airflow due to the cold liquid movement. There are a number of reasons why this might happen:

• Blocked return grill
• The fan isn’t working
• Improperly sized filter

Inspect the areas around the coil, clean any debris, and make sure the filter is the correct size. If this doesn’t work, call Airco Service, 918.252.5667. 

Time to Bring in The Professionals

If you have performed these three tips and your AC coils are still frozen, you need to contact the team at Airco Service. The problem may be more substantial than you think.

Whatever the situation, Airco Service will perform the necessary inspection and repair to not only correct the issue but offer AC maintenance to help safeguard your unit from future problems.