It’s the beginning of summer, the temperatures are warming up and low and behold your looking at your air conditioner and wondering why does my air conditioner freeze up? Believe it or not, this is a common problem we get asked about quite often. Although the problem may not be serious, it is important to take immediate action. All that ice on your air conditioner will damage the unit. It will also cause your system to work ineffectively.

 Why does my air conditioner freeze up?

• Insufficient airflow is the most common reason and the most easy to fix. If your air conditioner evaporator coil is not getting sufficient air across it, it will freeze up. Your AC takes hot air from your house into the system and the refrigerant or Freon removes the heat and returns cool dry air into your house. If this exchange is not happening properly, your AC unit will freeze up over time.

• If your air conditioner is low on refrigerant (Freon) then your air conditioner can also freeze up. This will cause a drop in the temperature of your evaporator coil. As it freezes, it freezes the moisture in the air around it also.

• Another answer to the question “Why does my air conditioner freeze up?” is that the outside temperature is so cold the air conditioner shouldn’t be running. You shouldn’t run your air conditioner when the outside temperature is under 62 °

• Other reasons why your air conditioner freezes up usually involve a mechanical failure of some kind. It could be a kink in your Freon line, or some other problem that requires maintenance or repairs.

How To Stop Your Air Conditioner From Freezing Up

Once you notice your air conditioner is freezing up, you can do a few things yourself before you need to call the service tech. If you are uncomfortable checking your air conditioner out, you can contact ADA Heating and Air for a service call or air conditioner maintenance. There are a few things you can try first if you are the DIY type. Turn your air conditioner off and allow it to defrost. Check the air conditioner and look for debris or obstructions that might be interfering with the airflow. Be sure and replace dirty filters.   This is one of the main causes of poor airflow. Many times this will fix the problem. Dirty evaporator coils also cause your air conditioner to freeze up. Next check your vents and ducts to see how well they are allowing the air to flow. If you cannot find the problem, you should stop, turn the unit off and call your service technician at ADA Heating and Air. We are available any time you need us to repair or maintain your air conditioner.