Summer’s coming (as hard as it is to believe right now) 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 Netflix, when they notice that terrible sound; drip... drip... drip. They glance over to see the cat licking at a puddle that's gradually forming on the bathroom floor. Just like that, the mood changes: Concern, stress, and that sinking feeling. How did the leak start?; water heater, leaky toilet, shower, faucet? No – it's the air conditioner of all things. This can strike anywhere, from Philadelphia to Thailand, regardless of summer heat.
Why Air Conditioners Freeze
The part of the air conditioner that actually freezes is known as the evaporator coil. This component of the air conditioner transfers (evaporates) heat from the inside to the outside of your Philadelphia area home. There are two primary reasons the evaporator coil may freeze:
- Restricted air flow
- Insufficient refrigerant
Either way, the ending effect is that the air conditioner's evaporator coil will be unable to properly disperse the heat, and consequently 'overcools' itself. The impact of this super-cooling is condensation (that's water formation), and finally ice forms from that condensation as it cools below the freezing point. Yep, the A/C transformed into an old-school icebox.
What Should You Do When Your A/C Freezes?
- Turn the A/C completely off at the thermostat, and do not increase the thermostat temperature as a way to melt the frost on the coils. Just make sure the A/C system is completely OFF.
- Do what you can to ensure airflow is not restricted. Replace the furnace or air handler's filter and replace any return air filters. Open all the registers completely and verify that they are not obstructed by furniture or curtains.
- Call Stallion Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning. The air conditioning system needs to be serviced by a professional that is ACE-certified 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 lead to a costly repair. When your unit ices over it can lead to damage to the compressor. Replacing your compressor could easily cost as much as a downpayment on a high efficiency model. In fact, many people are forced to decide between installing a new system and repairing the old one. If you act quickly and call a ACE-certified technician, you stand a better chance of having a less expensive repair.
Your technician will diagnose the situation and how to avoid the issue from repeating in the future. If a leak was really the cause (and that is rare, but possible), the leak has to be repaired or the unit will most likely freeze again.