Updated at: 13-04-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

As Southern Nevada and Arizona’s summers may be brutal, many homeowners rely on air conditioners to keep their houses at a reasonable temperature. However, if you notice ice on your air conditioner, it indicates that it has frozen over. Both the internal and outside units of an air conditioner can freeze.

Repairs can cost as much as a new unit if left unattended for an extended period of time, ranging from $1,500 to $3,000. Following our expert advice or speaking to an AC repair specialist may alleviate some of your concerns about getting your AC fixed as soon as possible.

3 Factors That Causes Freezing Of Air Conditioners

To avoid freezing, it’s crucial to know what causes it. You may learn more about them by reading on.

So, how can you unfreeze a clogged air conditioner? Here are a few examples:

#1. Insufficient airflow

In order to function properly and keep the heat in the condenser coil, most air conditioners require a significant quantity of airflow.

A lack of ventilation will cause ice to form up on the coil if there is not enough humidity.

Unclean air filters, closed air registers, and ducts are common obstructions to airflow.

What to do When Your Air Conditioner is Freezing Up on a Hot Day

#2. Faulty thermostats and fans

The air conditioner may freeze up if some system components aren’t working properly.

In order to keep the system’s coil heated, the fan distributes the air. As a result, if the fan fails, the device will become unresponsive.

A professional can either replace or repair your thermostat if it is malfunctioning.

#3. Low refrigerant and drain blockage

The condensed water from the atmospheric moisture must be drained from the air conditioner unit.

In the event that a pipe or hole is plugged, the evaporator coil may become frozen. So make sure there is no buildup of debris.

Because freezing can occur if the ac has low refrigerant, you should have it checked by a professional.

Thaw Out Your AC

Initially, you’ll need to switch off the air conditioner’s thermostat and turn on the fan. Allow the device to fully thaw by leaving the fan running for a few hours. It may thaw out within an hour in some circumstances. The fan may need to be left on for a full 24 hours in other, more acute circumstances.

Turn the AC’s thermostat back to “cool” after you’ve done this. Fixing it means the air coming out of the vent is colder than the surrounding air. Calling a professional may be the best option if you can’t solve the problem yourself. For this reason, you should have someone come and take a look at the unit as soon as possible if it continues to freeze.

Check the AC’s Air Filter

Air filters can become clogged over time if they haven’t been cleaned. This can cause the unit to run inefficiently. When an air conditioning unit freezes, a blocked filter is one of the most common causes for it to happen. Warm air can be blocked from entering the unit by as little as a few millimeters of soil.

Remove the AC cover to have access to the filter. The longer you wait to do this after lowering the thermostat, the more thawed water you’ll have to deal with later.. Put the filter back in the unit after cleaning it with water and letting it dry completely. Changing the filter is as simple as going to your local home improvement store and purchasing a new one.

Look at the AC’s Condensate Pan

Drain the condensate pan to determine if it’s working properly. If you don’t, you may end up with water damage. In order to determine whether the pan is draining properly, you should be able to see the water fast. This means that the drain pan is not draining properly, and as a result, water is accumulating under your air conditioner, putting you at danger of significant water damage.

Make sure your pan doesn’t leak before you check it, but if it does, place a few towels under the unit just in case. The pan may require the addition of some specially formulated cleaning tablets to avoid future accumulation and to eliminate any smells.

How to Deal with an Air Conditioner Freezing Up :) Billy Aircon

Inspect the AC’s Condensate Drain

A clogged condensate drain could be the cause of an air conditioner freezing up, as there are a lot of moving parts. During thawing, water flows into the condensate pan, which is represented by PVC tubing, and finally into the condensate drain outside.

A clog might lead to an overflow if there is dirt in the water. Water damage is caused by overflows, and surplus water around the unit freezes when it gets too cold.

How to Tell if Your Air Conditioner Is Frozen

Attempting to run a frozen air conditioner could result in a costly and demanding compressor repair. The following are some of the most common indicators of a frozen AC unit:

  • Your air conditioning system isn’t able to maintain the correct temperature.
  • The warm air blowing out of the registers is comforting.
  • This month’s electric bill is more than usual.
  • Leakage from the air conditioner
  • The sound of a hissing or bubbling.
  • The air handler is surrounded by condensation and moisture.
  • Ice covers the AC coils.
  • Outside the AC unit, ice may be seen.

If you want to prevent having to constantly check your air conditioning unit for signs of freezing, you’ll need to get it serviced every year.

How Long It Can Take for Your AC Unit to Defrost

As a result of an AC unit freezing up, many people question how long it takes to thaw. According to how big your unit is, how much ice is there, and the performance of your blower fan, you may have to wait up to 24 hours for the thawing process to begin. You might be able to get your air conditioner back to normal within an hour or two if the freezing is just beginning.

When Ice Forms in an AC Unit

So, how do you tell whether your air conditioner is overheating?

Warm air is one indicator that something is wrong when the unit is supposed to be cooling your house down.

When the outside of your air conditioner begins to build ice, that’s another red flag.

If your air conditioner is blowing hot air, switch it off but leave the fan on so that it can thaw. Your AC’s frozen coils will thaw more quickly if you use the AC’s inside fan to circulate warm air over them.

A filthy air filter could also be preventing proper air passage.

Your fan should be turned off when you aren’t using it. If you do, you’ll have to spend more money on repairs. While the fan is set to ‘auto,’ it will only run when the computer is cooling. This will save you money on your energy bill, but only if your thermostat is set properly.

The best thing to do if you notice ice on your condenser coils is to turn off your air conditioner. If you don’t, the compressor could get damaged. After you’ve thawed out the interior, turn on the aircon unit again.

Repairing a broken compressor can be very expensive. It’s a good idea to keep an eye out for them, as they can cost as much as a new air conditioning system.

It’s best to have a professional technician look into the problem if it’s too late or you’re not sure what’s going on. One of our professionals will come up with a solution if it has harmed any portion of your cooling system.

Call us at 469-200-3100 if you need air conditioner repair in Irving and the nearby regions. Wouldn’t it be great to help you out?

Air Filters and Ice in AC Units

Your HVAC system will run more efficiently if you maintain your air filter clean. An ice buildup in your AC unit might be caused by an ac unit with a dirty air filter.

Ice may begin to build on the actual filter in extremely poor airflow situations.. For proper ventilation, make sure your supply vents are kept open.

During your troubleshooting, check the air filters to ensure they are clean and cold air is being released. The fan is forced to work harder than necessary because of the accumulation of dirt. That means less energy efficiency, more money spent on power bills, and unreliable ac performance.

In addition to clogged air filters, the condenser coil may also be clogged, both of which will negatively impact indoor air quality. We recommend changing your air filter no less than once every three months and monitoring it more frequently than that.

Choose the suitable MERV rating, as well, to ensure enough ventilation. To the best of your ability, aim for a score of 5.

If this doesn’t work, the best course of action is to consult with an HVAC technician who can assist you avoid further damage to your expensive ac components by finding alternatives. Initially, our goal at Diamond Blue is to fix the problem rather than replace it.

Is Your Commercial Air Conditioner Freezing Up? Here are 5 Common Causes - McNamara Custom Services

Evaporator Coil and Ice in AC Units

Your air conditioner’s cooling system relies heavily on the ac coil. It uses a refrigerant to help transmit heat from your home to the outside.

Your air conditioner won’t work correctly if the evaporator coil is frozen.

If the coil is excessively unclean, it may freeze over and become unable to transfer heat. Having dirty air filters might also cause your air conditioner to freeze, preventing it from producing cool air.

After thawing a frozen air conditioner, homeowners should clean the evaporator coil.

The front panel of most air conditioners may be opened to inspect the coils, which is a simple procedure for most homes.

Check your evaporator coil to determine if it’s frozen if your air conditioner isn’t working properly or isn’t sending out cool air.

You should wait for the ac coils to defrost before turning it back on if they are frozen.

Air Conditioner Leaks and Ice in AC Units

Leaks in your air conditioning equipment can be a simple way to find out what’s wrong.

If you find any puddles or signs of water damage under the unit, it’s time to call a professional.

Any large accumulation of water in the AC’s water collector could be a sign that an inner component has frozen and necessitates repair or replacement.

When you turn on your air conditioner, the evaporator draws in heat and moisture from your home, resulting in condensation. If your air conditioner is leaking, the most likely cause is a problem with the condensate drain. A simple clog or crack in the drain’s output may be all that is needed to repair the problem.

The best course of action is to turn off the air conditioner if you discover that a leak is being caused by the melting of ice in the system. This could be a symptom of more significant injury.

AC Unit Defrosting: How to Do it

A frozen ac unit is likely to have been noticed at this point in time. Defrosting will be the next step if this is the case.

If your air conditioner is frozen, try defrosting it to see if it helps. When the ice is completely gone, switch it back on.

  • At the thermostat, turn the air conditioner off.
  • Finally, switch the fan from “auto” to “on.”
  • The system will gradually thaw while the fan spins.
  • Once the ice has been removed from your air conditioner, you can re-start it and return the fan setting to automatic (This may take an hour or more).

Checking and changing your air filter on a regular basis can assist prevent this issue. Pleated filters can last up to three months, but flat air filters need to be replaced monthly.

Keep an eye out for flowing water if your ac unit was turned off to thaw out a frozen air conditioner and you observe water seeping from the unit. As a side benefit, this will keep any water droplets that may have gotten stuck in the device from freezing.

Before a technician arrives, defrost your AC unit so that he or she can do a full diagnostic to find out what’s wrong with it.

Refrigerant Issues and Ice in AC Units

There are a number of indicators that your air conditioning unit may be leaking refrigerant. Long cooling cycles, greater utility bills, frost on the evaporator coil, a hissing sound, and inadequate cooling in general are some of these symptoms.

The ac unit’s unusual odor may also indicate a freon (if the unit is older) or a leak in the refrigerant line, which may indicate a problem with the unit.

In most cases, an ac system repair professional is needed to deal with refrigerant leaks, even if it’s merely low refrigerant levels.

If you have an older air conditioner and are concerned about the possibility of dangerous chemicals being released into your home from the cold refrigerant, you should get in touch with a professional as soon as possible.

AC Troubleshooting Summary / Checklist

  • Make sure the condensate drains aren’t plugged. This indicates that there is a drainage problem in your home. Performing a thorough inspection of your plumbing system might help you rule out a more basic issue that is much easier to resolve.
  • Look for contaminated vents. There may not be any severe maintenance issues here, as this is a simple change. Remember to check for any dirty vent grills near open doors, windows, and other openings.
  • A faulty thermostat should be checked for. Another aircon problem could be caused if the thermostat isn’t working properly. Airflow will be hindered since the fan will be overworked.

Multiple defrosting attempts indicate that an a/c unit is likely to have major issues that require the attention of a technician. Before the technician can do the diagnostics, the AC unit must be thawed.

As a matter of fact, it may be time for a new one.

Trust Diamond Blue for your Air Conditioning Repair Needs

Enrolling in our Diamond 360 Protection Plan ensures that your cooling and heating equipment will always be properly maintained.

Throughout the DFW metroplex and most nearby suburbs, Diamond Blue provides low-cost, hassle-free air conditioner installation. Our cooling professionals are here to help you find the best solution for your air conditioner, your needs, and your house.

All of your air conditioning servicing and support needs can be met by Diamond Blue. Our services come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.* To make an appointment, please contact us at (469) 200-3100.

This implies that if you are not pleased with the installation or repair service provided for a period of one year following the date of the installation or repair service in question, we will come back at our own expense until it is done to your satisfaction. *Our 100% Guarantee This guarantee does not cover any faults caused by usage, alteration, accident, abuse, or failure to maintain the product serviced or installed, or by using the system or product for purposes other than those for which it was designed.

It’s A Wrap!

It’s possible that even after attempting the methods listed above to defrost your AC, it will remain frozen.

Even if you’ve tried everything, you may still be unable to cure your air conditioner’s freezing problem.

An HVAC professional is needed if you have already cleaned the air filter and thawed out your air conditioner, but it still freezes up.

In terms of thawing out a frozen air conditioner, they are the experts.