How to Fix a Frozen Air Conditioner 

Summer’s coming (believe it or not) and here’s an often cited scenario with the average homeowner: They’re sitting in their house, minding their own business, enjoying a bowl of popcorn and watching Netflix, when all of a sudden – that distant terrible sound; drip… drip… drip. They turn their head to see the dog licking at a puddle that’s gradually forming on the kitchen floor. Just like that, the mood changes: Anxiety, stress, and that “how much will this cost?” feeling. Where did the leak come from?; water heater, leaky toilet, shower, faucet? Nope – it’s the air conditioner of all things. This can strike anywhere, from Columbus to Thailand, regardless of climate. 

Why Air Conditioners Freeze 

When a central air conditioner freezes up, what actually freezes is the condenser unit’s evaporator coil. This component of the air conditioner transfers (evaporates) heat from the inside to the outside of your Columbus area home. There are two primary reasons the evaporator coil may freeze: 

  1. Airflow restriction 
  1. Insufficient refrigerant 

Either way, the result is that the air conditioner’s evaporator coil will be unable to properly transfer heat, and in essence ‘overcools’ itself. The result of this super-cooling is condensation (that’s water formation), and over time ice forms from that condensation as it cools below the freezing point. Yep, the A/C transformed into an old-school icebox. 

What Might You Do When Your A/C Freezes? 

  • Turn the system completely off at the thermostat, and do not just move up the temperature on 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 as well as any return air filters. Open all the registers completely and confirm that they are not blocked by furniture or drapery. 
  • Call Stevenson Service Experts. The air conditioning system needs to be inspected by an ACE-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 damage to the compressor. Replacing your compressor can cost as much as a downpayment on a brand new air conditioner. In fact, many homeowners are forced to decide between installing a new system or repairing the old unit. If you act quickly and call a ACE-certified technician, you have better odds of having a less expensive emergency. 

Your technician will diagnose the situation and how to avoid the issue from happening again. If a leak is present (and that is rare, but possible), the leak has to be repaired or the unit will probably freeze again.