What to do If your Air Conditioner freezes up

Summer officially kick started this past week, we are preparing our selves for a high volume of No Air Conditioning calls! One of the most common Air Conditioning calls that we receive involves a unit that has been Frozen Over. Typically you can tell a unit has been frozen over by looking at the air conditioner compressor and seeing chunks of ice forming on the unit. A Frozen Air Conditioner will decrease your cooling dramatically. The unit will not function properly if it has frozen over.

There are a number of factors that could cause the unit to freeze over;

Weak Air Flow - Is possibly the most common reason, whether it be under sized duct work, or a dirty air filter; you run the risk of preventing the chilled air blowing off of your cooling coil and into the rooms in your house. This in turn causes the temperature of your air conditioner cooling coil drop to below freezing. A frozen coil could ultimately result in refrigerant leaks, this should be corrected immediately to avoid costly repairs. One thing that you can do is replace the filter. After replacing the Filter, check the unit in a couple of hours. If the ice has melted; you have corrected the problem.

Refrigerant Leak - The levels of Refrigerant in your Air Conditioning system must be maintained properly. To much or to little Refrigerant running in your system could also cause the unit to Freeze. One of the benefits of Signing up for our Air Conditioning Preventive Maintenance agreement is that the Refrigerant levels are checked annually with the AC Service.

Outside Temperature is too low - Air Conditioning systems do not operate correctly If the temperature outside is around or below 60 degrees; this would also cause the compressor to freeze up.

Correcting the Problem
Turn the AC unit off and allow it the thaw out, check for dirty Air Filters; if they are in need of replacement, install a new clean air filter. If this does not correct your problem; you may be in need of our Services, Give us a call to set up a service call!

Preventing Air Conditioning Breakdowns & Service Calls;
Signing up for one of our Preventative Maintenance Agreement's provides you with the recommended annual service for your heating and/or cooling system. This includes a check of the refrigerant levels, a standard filter change, 1 LB of refrigerant (if it is needed.), They check the indoor evaporator pan for drainage, and also clean the indoor air handler, evaporator coil and condenser.

Since 1977, William Henderson Plumbing & Heating Inc has been providing quality plumbing, heating and cooling service throughout Delaware County and the Main Line. We can be reached in our office at 610-544-7999 or visit us at www.wmhendersoninc.com.