- On March 28, 2023
An interesting thing about Arizona HVAC is the weird connection between high daytime temperatures and frozen air conditioners. If you find your air conditioner frozen, you will notice the outside AC line frozen but little or no cool air in your home. It is a frustrating problem, but one Phoenix HVAC contractors see every day.
Do this first: Switch your cooling system to fan or “on” and let the system run on this setting until the ice melts and the system unfreezes. Please note that this is not a permanent solution; it will prevent further damage being caused to your HVAC unit.
An Air Conditioner Freezing During Summer is Common in Phoenix
Arizona is famous for its hot days, and few people realize that this can lead to an AC unit freezing up in summer. How is that possible?
A common cause of a frozen air conditioner in Arizona is a blocked air filter, which restricts the airflow needed to keep condensation off the coils. Another common cause of is refrigerant leaks. As refrigerant leaks, it can condense on the coils or pool within the unit and freeze as the temperature drops.
When an air conditioner is frozen, we recommend taking the following steps to fix the problem and get the cold air circulating again.
A central air conditioner is a marvel of technology that taps the power of science. Refrigerant in your AC lines in intentionally compressed (by a compressor) and then allowed to expand.
Liquid refrigerant confined under pressure, then allowed to expand under low pressure in an evaporator, cools. This is the Joule-Thomson Effect; it allows your central air conditioner to chill your Phoenix home’s air efficiently and repeatedly with the same refrigerant.
The laws of thermodynamics mean the cooling refrigerant cools your home’s air by absorbing heat from that air. The warmed refrigerant is pumped outside, where the heat is released, and the cycle continues.
Frozen Coils
Seeing frozen coils on air conditioner parts, either inside or outside your home, is a little unsettling in summer, especially in the desert. The indoor evaporator coils could freeze up if too little home air is blowing across them.
Other causes for frozen coils on air conditioner components:
- Too little refrigerant, which implies a dangerous leak in a line; this requires professional servicing quickly.
- Running the AC when outdoor temperatures (at night, for example) are low.
- Blower fan problems.
- Kinked refrigerant line preventing smooth flow of the liquid.
- Clogged air filters that impede air flow.
How to Fix a Frozen AC Unit’s Coils
When an air conditioner is frozen, start by flipping the breaker and keeping it off until the condenser unit is thawed. This doesn’t take long in the summer.
Once the ice on AC coils has melted, it is important to dry the coils and remove any moisture that has pooled around the unit. This helps improve efficiency and can reduce the likelihood that the unit will ice up again when it is turned back on. As you are doing this, remove any debris such as dirt, sand or leaves that may be blocking drainage channels.
Because one cause of frozen coils in an air conditioner could be a refrigerant leak, you should contact your HVAC contractor for a service call. The trained technician will diagnose the cause of the freezing and then repair air conditioner parts as needed.
Refrigerant cannot legally be released into the atmosphere because of its role in harming our environment. A trained technician can find and fix any leak, and then provide the right amount of refrigerant. This is usually between two and four pounds per ton of cooling, which translates to six to 12 pounds for a typical Phoenix area home.
Before Switching Back
Before switching the air conditioner back on, set your thermostat so that you only turn the blower or fan on. This circulates air through the system and can help remove any remaining ice crystals within the coils. Another option is to use a hair dryer on low-heat to blow hot air along the outside of the coils. While it can be tempting to speed up the process and use a high-heat setting, this is something that should be avoided because it can crack the condenser coils and lead to costly repairs.
Once you are confident that the ice has thawed, turn the unit back on and feel for the cold air blowing through the registers. If it is cool, then you know you have removed the ice and any blockages. If it is not, turn the unit off and go through the steps again.
Contact Howard Air & Plumbing for All Your A/C Issues
For frozen line on outside AC unit and all your air conditioning needs, please contact us today. We will be happy to inspect and diagnose your entire system. Ask about preventative maintenace too.
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