In spite of the location or weather, a lot of homeowners experience the problem of ice on AC units outside. It doesn’t really matter if you live in a hot or cool environment, you may experience the problem at some point because it’s too common among homeowners. Some people may see this as a 'cool' thing to happen since your AC draws heat from your home. However, this is a serious issue that could permanently damage your unit if not addressed quickly.
You may wonder, “Why is there ice on my air conditioner? What causes this? What should you immediately do if you notice this? Well, the first thing you want to immediately do is to shut off your AC to give it time to defrost. You can then call a HVAC specialist to check up your AC. If you need a new HVAC unit in Atlanta and you’re unsure of who to call, don’t hesitate to contactMoncrief Heating & Air Conditioning.
Why is there ice on my air conditioner unit?
Ventilation is all about bringing fresh air from outdoors into your indoor space. Without heating, cooling and ventilation, your indoor space will lack fresh air and thus become stagnant and uncomfortable for home occupants. Lack of proper heating, cooling and ventilation can also expose you to toxins and contaminants that can affect your health.
What is a commercial air ventilation system?
If you notice ice on the air conditioner unit, it’s probably because heat is being blocked from reaching the Freon (refrigerant) or something is making the evaporator coils get extremely cold. The Freon's role is to absorb heat from the surrounding indoor space and channel it outside your house to the compressor, to be released outside. This cycle goes on and on again. If you notice your AC compressor iced over, it could be as a result of insufficient Freon or too much Freon.
What causes ice buildup on air conditioners?
Other causes of ice on the AC unit include:
- An evaporator coil that’s dirty. When your evaporator coil is dirty, ice will start to form on your unit since airflow is blocked by the dirt. A dirty evaporator coil also makes your unit to overwork, hence causing your system to use more energy and less cool air. This is one of the reasons why you may notice your air conditioner running but not cooling. To avoid this, shut off your unit and ensure the coil is cleaned regularly by a HVAC specialist.
- Airflow is being blocked from reaching the AC. ACs depend on the air flowing through them to function efficiently. When there’s too little airflow, the temperature lowers, and hence the freeze up on your unit. The causes of this blockage could include: dirty air filters, leaking ductwork and closed air vents. Consider changing your filters regularly.
- Mechanical problems. Your unit can also freeze up as a result of mechanical problems such as broken valves, faulty blower fan, blocked drain line etc.
It’s important you schedule maintenance HVAC visits every year to ensure your unit performs optimally throughout, and save you money. To learn more about the importance of these regular visits, check out HVAC Preventative Maintenance Contracts.