Air conditioning unit placed outside against a white building wall with visible vertical and diagonal conduits.

AC System Freezing Up: Causes and Solutions

01/31/2024 | Comfort Zone of North Florida, Inc | Air Conditioner Maintenance, Air conditioning Repair

Your air conditioning (AC) system is your greatest ally on hot summer days. However, it can become frustrating if it begins freezing up unexpectedly due to various causes; this disruption can significantly compromise comfort levels within both homes and businesses. In this article, we’ll look into these causes while offering possible solutions to help address them.

Causes of AC System Freezing Up

1. Restricted Airflow

When airflow is restricted, the evaporator coil temperature decreases, leading to moisture in the air freezing and condensing onto its coil surface. Restrictive airflow may be due to dirty filters, damaged ductwork, or even a malfunctioning fan motor, causing moisture in the air to condense on itself and freeze over.

2. Low Refrigerant Levels

Refrigerant is the fluid responsible for cooling air in your AC system. Suppose there is not enough refrigerant in an AC system. In that case, its pressure drops significantly, and temperatures on the evaporator coil drop too drastically, leading to possible ice formation.

3. Faulty Thermostat

If the thermostat is malfunctioning, it could cause the AC system to run too long and produce an overly cold evaporator coil, leading to ice formation on its evaporator coils.

4. Dirty Evaporator Coils

Over time, dirt and debris may accumulate on evaporator coils, reducing their performance and leading to freeze-up or malfunction.

Solutions for AC System Freezing Up

1. Replace Air Filters

Dirty air filters can restrict airflow, leading to frozen evaporator coils. Replacing them more often can prevent this issue.

2. Recharge Refrigerant

Low refrigerant levels can lead to ice build-up on evaporator coils. A professional HVAC contractor can recharge your AC system with the appropriate refrigerant and help avoid this problem.

3. Clean Evaporator Coils

Dirty evaporator coils can cause your AC system to freeze up, so consulting a professional HVAC contractor to clean these coils is often required to restore the optimal functionality of the AC.

4. Fix Faulty Thermostat

A malfunctioning thermostat can lead to overly long air conditioning system operation, increasing ice build-up on evaporator coils. Replacing or repairing it may help avoid this issue.

Finding a solution to a frozen AC system can be frustrating and uncomfortable, so understanding its source may help identify its solution. Contact Comfort Zone of North Florida Inc. immediately if this happens to you. With over 10 years of experience, we are one of the most trusted HVAC contractors in Northern Florida for residential and commercial HVAC needs. Schedule an appointment today. Please don’t wait until it freezes; we are here to repair your system quickly!