Why is my AC system freezing up?
There are a lot of reasons why your AC system freezes up.
Checking the air filter is clean and airflow isn’t lowered are the only tasks you can safely fix alone. If you need to replace the filter, you can accelerate the defrosting process by switching off the unit and turning on the fan. If you have a heat pump, you can turn it to heat mode until the ice has melted.
After the ice disappears, switch the temp back to normal. If your unit freezes repeatedly, get in touch with Norrell Service Experts to repair the issue.
Here are several other reasons why your system could be freezing up.
Insufficient refrigerant—A frozen system may be a result of a refrigerant leak.
What causes a leak?
- Fragile solder joints
- Resistance from piping rubbing against other components
- Broken valves
- Unsecured fittings
How long your equipment has been working and the area of the leak determine whether you should repair or replace your AC system.
Dirty evaporator coil—Over time, the evaporator coil gets dirty and leads to issues much like a dirty filter. You’ll gradually get lower airflow until your unit freezes or halts cooling. You’ll need to contact Norrell Service Experts to repair the problem.
Malfunctioning blower motor or relay—A blower motor running at the wrong speed or not working at all can result in freezing. It could also be intermittent, starting at top speed and slowing down after it gets too hot. Or a relay may make it work one time and not the following time. In either situation, you will need to contact Norrell Service Experts to fix the trouble.
Requesting annual AC maintenance can help you skip this issue. Our techs will fully inspect and clean your unit, which usually allows us to catch small issues before they become major problems.