Summer’s coming (believe it or not) and here's a common scenario with the average homeowner: They’re relaxing in their living room, minding their own business, having a bowl of popcorn and watching their favorite TV show, when suddenly he/she hears terrible sound; drip... drip... drip. They turn their head to see the household pet licking at a puddle that's slowly forming on the dining room floor. Just like that, the mood changes: Worry, stress, and that “how much will this cost?” feeling. What caused the leak?; water heater, leaky toilet, shower, faucet? No – the central air conditioner is frozen solid. This can happen anywhere, from Windsor to Africa, regardless of climate.
Why Air Conditioners Freeze
The evaporator coil is the component of a central A/C unit that actually freezes. This component of the air conditioner transfers (evaporates) heat from the inside to the outside of your Windsor area home. The two main reasons why the evaporator coil may freeze:
- The restriction of the system’s airflow
- Lack of sufficient refrigerant
Either way, the ending effect is that the air conditioner's evaporator coil will be unable to properly dissipate heat, and consequently 'overcools' itself. The result of this super-cooling is condensation (that's water formation), and finally ice forms from that condensation as it cools below the freezing point. In other words, the A/C has morphed into an old-school icebox.
What Can You Do When Your A/C Freezes?
- Turn the system completely off at the thermostat, and don’t try to thaw the system by increasing the temperature at the thermostat. Just make sure the A/C system is completely OFF.
- Confirm that there is nothing restricting the airflow to the system. Replace the furnace or air handler's filter and replace any return air filters. Open all the registers completely and confirm that they are not obstructed by furniture or drapery.
- Call Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts. The air conditioning system needs to be inspected by a NATE-certified professional to ensure there are no refrigerant leaks or damage to the equipment. Simply schedule a Performance Inspection or Repair Diagnostic online, or call to talk to a live person right away.
What Does it Cost to Repair?
This can turn into an expensive repair. When your unit ices over it can lead to a compressor replacement. Replacing your compressor can cost as much as a downpayment on a brand new air conditioner. In fact, many people are forced to choose between installing a new system and repairing the old unit. If you move fast, follow the instructions, and call a NATE-certified technician, you stand a better chance of having a less expensive job.
Your technician will quickly analyze the problem and how to avoid the issue from happening again. If a leak exists (and that is rare, but possible), the leak has to be repaired or the unit will likely freeze again.