Air conditioners are a necessary part of our lives during the winter season. They work almost the whole day to keep our homes warm and comfortable. However, sometimes your system may betray you and freeze suddenly.
Many homeowners do not know when or how their air conditioners freeze. To ensure that you do not face the wrath of winter during the winter season, read this guide till the end to understand everything about why an air conditioner freezes and how to tackle it. If you still have confusion, you can contact an HVAC company for AC service.
How To Know If Your AC System Froze
A sure and definite way to check your frozen system is to check the supply registers. If it is warm, it means that the evaporator coils are frozen. Open the panel to evaporator coils and look for ice to confirm this for sure. Even if you do not see any ice, it does not mean that the system may not be frozen.
Causes of Freezing of The System
Here are the three common reasons why your air conditioner froze and how to fix it:
Blocked Airflow
Smooth airflow within the system ensures that humidity and moisture do not settle on the evaporator coils. Clean filters ensure the proper airflow in your home and system. If your air conditioner froze, dirty filters and blocked airways might be the reason.
The first thing you need to do is turn off your system to let it defrost. Keeping the system off for a few hours will melt the ice on the evaporator coils. While the system melts, clean your filters to remove the clogging for proper airflow.
Leakages
Your system is not stationary. It has many moving components in it, like refrigerant lines and fans. If the pressure within the system drops significantly, the refrigerant will expand and become cold, causing your system to freeze. However, if your system freezes due to a coolant leak, you should consider contacting a company for HVAC replacement for a new system.
You should not try to solve this issue yourself as it requires professional attention. The most you can do is ensure regular maintenance of your system to avoid leakage problems.
Cold Nights
Air conditioners function properly within the optimum threshold. If the temperature during the winter nights gets colder than the optimum threshold, your air conditioner may freeze due to external conditions.
A programmable thermostat will save your system by shutting it down when the temperature drops down. If you have a manual thermostat, you should frequently check it and shut the system when the temperature drops down. You can open your windows to enjoy the cool summer breeze while your system rests.
AmeriTech Air Conditioning & Heating has years of experience and the latest knowledge to ensure that your system runs perfectly and efficiently in its working years. You can contact us at (407) 743-7106 to know about our rates for HVAC replacement.
Turn off your system immediately and let it rest for several hours to allow ice on the evaporator coils to melt naturally. While the system defrosts, clean or replace dirty air filters to ensure proper airflow, which prevents future freezing. For optimal results, open windows to maintain comfortable temperatures and improve circulation. Never attempt to manually remove ice, as this risks damaging delicate components. Once fully defrosted and filters are clean, restart your system to resume normal cooling operations and monitor performance carefully.
Not necessarily. Frozen AC units typically indicate a repairable problem rather than permanent damage. Common causes include blocked airflow from dirty filters, refrigerant leaks, or outdoor temperatures dropping below optimal thresholds. If freezing results from a simple filter clog, cleaning or replacing the filter resolves the issue. However, if the problem stems from a significant refrigerant leak, professional diagnosis and repair are necessary. Some cases may eventually require system replacement, but most frozen AC units can be restored to full functionality with proper maintenance and timely professional intervention.
Basic maintenance like cleaning or replacing air filters is safe for homeowners to perform independently. However, do not attempt to address refrigerant leaks or manually remove ice from coils yourself. These issues require specialized tools, expertise, and safety precautions that only licensed HVAC professionals possess. Installing a programmable thermostat can prevent future freezing during cold nights. For complex problems involving system pressure or coolant loss, contacting a professional AC repair company ensures your system receives proper attention without risk of damage or personal injury.
Yes, operating a frozen air conditioner can cause significant damage and worsen the problem. Running a frozen system forces it to work inefficiently while ice accumulates further on evaporator coils. This increases strain on components, potentially causing mechanical failure and requiring costly repairs or replacement. Continued operation also prevents the system from naturally defrosting and prolongs recovery time. Always turn off your system immediately upon detecting freezing signs, such as warm air from registers, to allow proper defrosting and prevent additional damage to internal components.