Updated at: 29-09-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

“How can I keep my air conditioner from freezing?” is a common question. We’ve put together a list of seven things you should do on a regular basis to avoid this issue.

Frozen air conditioners can do serious damage, even if they don’t cause the air to get much colder. It’s important to act quickly if you discover ice particles in your unit.

Other electrical components, such as your compressor, may be damaged if they are subjected to extreme freezing and melting conditions. Because this page has all the information you need to know about it.

As a result, keep an eye out!

Tips To Keep My AC From Freezing Up

Checking the airflow from the supply register can also tell you if your AC is frozen if you don’t see ice particles in the filter. if there is not enough ventilation, it will freeze.

It’s also possible that the dust particles have melted, as seen by a pool of water in the floor beneath your unit. You and your property could be in danger if you find yourself in this predicament. Let it go on for too long and the repair costs could skyrocket. In order to answer your query, “how can I keep my air conditioner from freezing up?” here are some helpful hints. And now for the goods:

Tip #1. Let a professional check your Freon level once or twice a year

Your condenser coils may freeze if your system is low on Freon. They would freeze if they were exposed to different quantities of refrigerant. As a result, you don’t need to keep an eye on them every month. And unless there’s a leak, the Freon level won’t drop quickly.

Tip #2. Don’t close the entire supply registers

Using supply registers, you may fine-tune the amount of air that enters your room. In addition, by reducing the airflow, it can save energy. However, if you close all of your vents, you may end up with duct leaks as a result.

Consequently, even though it shouldn’t, air may seep into and out of the ducts. A frozen evaporator coil is also a possibility. There won’t be enough moisture stabilization and balancing with this unit.

Tip #3. Clean your filter/s often

It’s possible that a blocked filter is to blame for the poor airflow. In addition, it increases the burden on the compressor and other A/C components. Because of poor airflow, the evaporator coil receives less air. Consequently, it will not be able to chill the refrigerant more effectively, resulting in less efficient operation.

To keep the coils from freezing, a steady stream of warm, moist air is needed. Cleaning the filter on a biweekly basis will keep dirt from building up and restricting airflow.

Tip #4. Check your window AC installation

Window air conditioners are often fitted with a tilted position. Essentially, this is because you have a more inclined inside side of your unit compared to an upright outside.

To ensure good drainage, this location has been earmarked for this purpose. It would be difficult for you to drain these units because they are located on a higher area of the wall. As a result, it is able to self-drain.

However, if the angle of the AC is incorrect, the inner portion of the AC is facing down, while the other side is higher. It’s possible that the water will seep into other components and create a frozen state. So, be sure that you’ve installed your device correctly before you go to sleep.

Tip #5. Weekly inspection of the condensate drain

Drainage issues, as previously said, can lead to serious issues. This includes evaporator coils freezing. Condensation is formed because the air conditioning unit absorbs moisture from the indoor air. Condensation pans collect the water that falls from the ceiling.

If the drainage system is malfunctioning, water will return to the evaporator coil and freeze. Check your drain weekly to make sure the pan is in the appropriate place and to make sure that your drain line isn’t blocked.

Tip #6. Examine your fan’s speed

Freon’s conversion to gas would be compromised if the fan was running at a low speed. As a last resort, you might call in a professional expert and ask him to modify the speed of your AC fan. It should be fast enough to supply the evaporator coil with sufficient air. The refrigerant’s conversion to a usable condition could be accelerated using this technique as well. Coils should also be protected from freezing.

Tip #7. Consult a technician for any thermostat defects

Whether it’s day or night, you may leave your unit running. Temperatures might be incorrectly cooled or heated due to thermostat malfunctions. As an illustration, if you set your thermostat to a negligible level and nothing changes, you may be experiencing this problem. Make sure your system isn’t overworked by making continuous adjustments.

What to do if your air conditioner freezes

  • It’s best to turn off the A/C to avoid wasting money and risking compressor damage.
  • Make sure the condensate drain isn’t clogged while you wait for the ice to thaw.
  • Consider opening up the ducting and using a wet-dry shop vac to remove the water.
  • In order to speed up the evaporation process, use a blow dryer to dry off the evaporator coil. To melt the ice faster, simply turn on the A/C fan rather than the compressor.
  • Install the window air conditioner so that the melting ice drains outside, and then tilt the unit slightly backward to do so. The condensate drain hole should be cleared from the outside so that water can escape.
  • Restart the air conditioner after the ice has melted and the drain pan has been cleared. Start cooling down your house right away.

What causes an air conditioner to freeze?

The difficulty could be caused by a number of different things. The following are the most likely:

  • Evaporator coils can get overly cold due to low refrigerant levels, which can be caused by a leak or an erroneous charge during installation. To get the leak repaired and the system recharged in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, contact an HVAC professional.
  • Low airflow can be caused by a number of things, the most common of which is a dirty air filter, which also puts additional strain on the compressor and other A/C components. In order to cool the evaporator coil, less air is delivered by a low airflow. Preventing the coil from freezing requires a steady stream of hot, humid air. To prevent an air conditioner from freezing, it is important to clean the filter on a regular basis.
  • A simple way to save money and energy is to shut off the supply registers in unused rooms. However, if your air conditioner freezes and you have to unplug too many of the vents, you may end up paying extra. To avoid your supply registers from freezing, keep them open no more than a quarter of the time.
  • Insufficient fan speed: The fan must blow fast enough to keep the proper amount of air blowing over the evaporator coil. A technician can increase the fan speed and do away with what causes an air conditioner to freeze.
  • Failure to maintain adequate airflow across the evaporator coil is caused by a slow-running fan. When an air conditioner freezes, it can be fixed by increasing the fan speed.
  • Drainage issues: The evaporator coil removes heat and moisture from the air when hot, humid air flows across it. Condensation is formed in the air conditioner in humid areas like Georgia, where a lot of water vapor condenses. Normally, water drips into a pan and is channeled to a floor drain where it drains. Water that is backed up in the drain freezes all the way back to the evaporator coil when something stops the drain. The ice then forms a clog in the drain, making matters worse. During the hottest months of the year, inspect and clean the drainpipe monthly. Inspect the pan and floor drain for water dripping and escaping.
  • When a window air conditioner is not positioned correctly, the indoor portion of the unit should be slightly higher than the exterior portion. In the absence of water, the drain hole is blocked. Instead, it remains within the apparatus, where it is susceptible to freezing. As a result, an incorrect tilt is another factor contributing to the freezing of an air conditioner.

How to repair a freezing air conditioner

You’ve checked your air conditioner and determined that it meets all of the following criteria.

What steps can you take to boost the health of your machine? The best course of action would be to bring in an HVAC expert to handle the problem. But before you bring in the big guns, there are a few things that you can do for your treasured air conditioner.

1. Clean all of your air conditioner’s air passages

You can think of air channels as vents, supply registers, ducts, and even the filters as air openings. Clean and eliminate any obstructions to air flow.

Filters should be checked and cleaned or replaced at least once a month. When done correctly, it can extend the life of your air conditioner by several years.

It’s far easier to hire a professional to do the dirty work of duct cleaning. However, if you have the time and the necessary equipment, you can do it yourself. Cleaning your ducts should be done at least three times a year.

Don’t close more than 25% of your supply registers, just to be safe. No doubt it’s a smart idea to close supply registers in unoccupied rooms to save money and energy. But if you close too many vents, your air conditioner can suffer as a result.

The condenser’s condenser coils have turned to ice.

2. Repair refrigerant leaks

As sorry as I am, but you will not be able to achieve this by yourself. Additionally, you’ll need to seal and replace the refrigerant. We recommend that you contact a local HVAC company to have a look at your system and do any necessary repairs.

Mechanical issues, such as defective fans, are the same. Don’t tamper with your device. Help is on the way. Here are some of Phoenix’s greatest air conditioning contractors.

3. Fix drainage issues

A window air conditioner’s drainage problem can be readily fixed without the assistance of an HVAC technician. As a general rule, inadequate installation is to blame for most drainage problems.

If the installation went well, then you can inspect the drainage hole of the device.

Check to see whether it’s blocked. Take out the stopper and let the water drain completely.

Drain holes are now optional on certain window air conditioners that don’t come with them. If you’re stumped, check the manual or a specialist for assistance. Don’t ever drill a hole in your air conditioner, no matter what.

How do I keep my air conditioner from freezing up?

Here are a few things you can do to ensure the long-term viability of your air conditioner.

  • Clean or replace your unit’s filters on a regular basis.
  • The ductwork of your air conditioning unit should be cleaned at least once a year.
  • Keep an eye out for signs of refrigerant leaks. At least once a week, inspect the wires and coils.
  • Your unit’s drainage system should be in full operation at all times.

An HVAC specialist can simply check all of these boxes and provide you peace of mind by performing a regular maintenance checkup. Simple as that.

Prevent an iced-up air conditioner

To summarize, the following steps should be taken to keep the A/C from freezing:

  • Ensure that the correct amount of refrigerant is being used
  • Replace the filter on a monthly basis.
  • Keep the supply vents open.
  • Increase the speed of the fan.
  • It’s time to have the thermostat inspected.
  • Every week, check the condensate drain.
  • If you have a window unit, make sure it’s properly angled

Preventative maintenance is the greatest way to keep your air conditioner from freezing in the first place. Please contact Byrd Heating and Air Conditioning if you have any questions or would want to arrange a service call. Serving Savannah and the neighboring areas since 1986 is an honor for us.

Keep Your Air Conditioner From Freezing Up With These 5 Tips

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to avoid this from happening to your air conditioner. Read on to learn more.

#1: Have Your HVAC Technician Check for Refrigerant Leaks

When it comes to ice development in air conditioning systems, low refrigerant levels are surprisingly prevalent. Evaporator-coil temperatures can fall below freezing if the machine attempts to function with less refrigerant than anticipated.

Water vapor in the air can freeze onto the coils’ surface when temperatures drop this low. Initially, the frost is just a thin layer, but it can grow into a thick sheet of ice.

A closed-loop system is what your air conditioner is. In other words, the refrigerant must not leak out of the system. When the refrigerant levels drop, it is usually because of a leak in the refrigerant lines or a component that deals with refrigerant on a regular basis (such as the compressor or evaporator coil).

Your air conditioner’s refrigerant levels should be checked by an HVAC expert, and if necessary, any leaks that could be stealing refrigerant should be found and repaired. Bryant Air Conditioning, Heating, Electrical & Plumbing provides specialists who can check the refrigerant levels in your system if you live in Lincoln, NE or the nearby areas.

#2: Check and Change Your Air Filter

Airflow is critical if you want to keep your air conditioner from freezing over in the winter. The return air duct can be blocked by a clogged or otherwise unclean air filter, making this difficult. Ice will form on the evaporator coil if there isn’t enough air moving through it.

If you want to keep your air conditioner running smoothly and keep your home’s air quality high, you need to change your air filter on a regular basis. Although some manufacturers may advocate replacing your air filter every month, most experts recommend doing so every three months. Every home is different, and the frequency of filter replacement depends on how much activity is taking on. More dust may have entered your home than usual if you have opened the windows more frequently than usual in the spring or early fall. Dry wall work, for example, will cause the furnace filter to clog up more quickly than usual because of the dust that is generated throughout the project. It’s never a bad idea to keep an eye on your finances on a frequent basis.

#3: Make Sure Your Blower Fan Is Working Properly

Your air conditioner’s blower fan may malfunction, causing the coil to freeze over, or it may not work at all, making it difficult for you to cool your home. The blower fan will need to be checked out by an HVAC specialist in any instance. If the blower fan and its motor are old or worn out, your HVAC specialist may also check the direction, speed, and power of the fan’s spin.

#4: Check Your Condensate Drain Line

The heat is absorbed by the air conditioner and then transferred to the outside. The condensate drip tray collects any moisture that has condensed from the once-humid air and eventually drains out of the air conditioner.

The water in the tray can back up and eventually overflow if any portion of that system becomes clogged. The evaporator coil can freeze over if there is too much moisture in the system. The suction force of a wet/dry shop vacuum can be used to remove debris from the condensate and drain systems if they become clogged.

Schedule an appointment with one of our experienced HVAC experts now if your air-conditioning system is giving you the cold shoulder because of ice accumulation. There is no cooling problem too big or small for us to handle in Lincoln, NE and the surrounding areas.

#5: Check Your Vents

Make sure your supply and return vents are unobstructed. Furniture should be moved away from any vents so that air can flow freely. Do not close more than three supply vents at a time. It’s possible to save money by cooling less of your home, but you may be limiting airflow and risking the breakdown of your air conditioning system.

Contact Bryant Air Conditioning, Heating, Electrical & Plumbing if you live in Lincoln, NE and need help keeping your AC from freezing up.

It’s A Wrap

The topic of “how can I keep my air conditioner from freezing up?” has come to an end. In order to avoid this circumstance, you should keep in mind that you need to be aware of it at all times. There is no benefit to it.

However, it has the potential to do significant harm. And you’d have to pay for it to be fixed and salvaged as well. So, in order to avoid this, be sure to spend some time and effort inspecting your device. Thank you for joining me today!