If you’ve ever walked up to your air conditioner and spotted ice forming where it shouldn’t be, you’re not alone. Frozen AC coils can significantly impact your air conditioner’s performance, especially during the summer. We’ve seen quite a few folks wondering if this problem fix itself once the ice melts. Unfortunately, it won’t.
Your best bet for frozen air conditioner coils is addressing it promptly with the help of the pros. If you are in Wilmington, NC, and your AC coils are freezing up, One Hour Magic Air Conditioning & Heating can help. Our team of specialists handles this type of issue all the time. With our speedy and reliable AC repair services, we can get your AC back in shape in no time.
How Air Conditioners Work
Your air conditioner works through a refrigeration cycle, which transfers heat from your home to the outside. Think of it like a team of two players working together. You’ve got one coil inside your house (the evaporator) and another outside (the condenser). They work together like a tag team, with the indoor coil grabbing heat from your home and the outdoor coil releasing it outside.
But watch out when something throws this teamwork off balance (for example, if airflow is restricted or refrigerant levels drop). That’s when you might end up with a frozen coil, as it causes the evaporator coil to freeze.
The not-so-good news is that it won’t resolve on its own without intervention.
Overview of Evaporator Coil vs. Condenser Coil
The evaporator coil and condenser coil play different but important roles:
Evaporator Coil
This coil is located inside and removes heat from your home’s air. It works alongside the blower fan to circulate cooled air.
Condenser Coil
This coil is found outdoors and releases the absorbed heat into the outside air. It works with the compressor to keep refrigerant moving through the system.
Both components must work properly to cool your home successfully. When you have a problem with one, the entire system struggles.
What Are the Symptoms of Frozen AC Coils?
You may be wondering how to know if you have frozen AC coils. It’s actually pretty easy to spot the signs.
Look for these symptoms:
- Your house isn’t getting cool even though your AC is running full blast.
- Warm air keeps coming from your vents.
- You see ice on the evaporator coil or refrigerant lines.
- You’ve noticed water pooling around your indoor unit (because of melting ice).
These are all red flags that your AC might be turning into an ice box and not in a good way. If you observe them, turn off your system and contact a pro immediately.
What Causes Frozen AC Coils
Usually, it comes down to two main culprits:
Restricted Airflow
When your AC isn’t getting enough air, usually because your air filter is super dirty or your vents are blocked, this causes the coil to freeze.
Refrigerant Leaks
Your system is low on refrigerant, often because of a leak. Low refrigerant levels lower pressure, making the coil overly cold and resulting in ice buildup.
As a word of caution, the longer you delay repairs, the higher the risk of compressor failure and system breakdown. We recommend taking care of the issue ASAP to avoid problems.
What NOT to Do: Common Misconceptions about Frozen AC Coils
As we mentioned, some believe frozen AC coils will fix themselves once the ice melts. This is incorrect.
We know it’s tempting, but please don’t try to chip away at the ice! Using sharp tools to remove ice can damage the coils.
And definitely don’t keep running your AC, hoping it’ll sort itself out. That’s like trying to run an overheating car. It’ll only make things worse. Besides straining the components, simply defrosting the coils doesn’t solve the underlying problem and can lead to repeated freezing.
Always rely on safe methods or pro help.
What to Do if Your Coils Are Frozen
The first thing you should do is turn off your AC. Let it thaw out naturally. If you’re in a hurry, you can speed things up with a fan.
While you’re waiting, check some basics:
- When was the last time you changed your air filter?
- Are all your vents open and unblocked?
- Is your drain line clear?
Once the coils have thawed completely, contact an HVAC technician to diagnose and repair the issue.
How to Prevent Frozen AC Coils
In order to keep your AC unit happy and ice-free, prevention is way better than cure. Here’s how to keep your AC running smoothly:
Schedule Maintenance
Get regular maintenance checks with a technician. Think of it like a health check-up for your AC. This also helps keep your air filters clean.
Improve Airflow
Don’t close off too many vents, and keep registers unobstructed. Proper insulation also helps.
Use Consistent Settings
Use reasonable temperature settings. No extreme thermostat adjustments, please (your AC isn’t a freezer)! A programmable thermostat can help maintain steady indoor temperatures.
When Should You Call the Pros?
The previous steps can help you reduce the risk of frozen coils and extend the lifespan of your AC system. However, if you’ve tried the basics and your AC still isn’t happy, it’s time to call in reinforcement.
This is especially true if:
- Your system is getting up there in age
- You keep having the same problem
- You notice strange noises or smells
An HVAC pro, like One Hour Magic, can help you decide whether to repair or replace frozen coils. Usually, we take into consideration your system’s age. Older units are more likely to have problems, so replacing them is a better long-term solution.
We also check your warranty coverage. If your system is under warranty, you may be better off fixing it. You’ll get more bang for your buck.
But each case is different. So, it’s best to talk to a professional technician to determine the best course of action based on your specific situation.
One Hour Magic to Fix Your Frozen AC Coils
Having frozen AC coils isn’t just inconvenient. It can lead to dicey, more expensive problems if you ignore it. Taking care of it quickly is the best way to keep your home comfortable and your AC running efficiently.
For folks in Wilmington, NC, One Hour Magic Air Conditioning & Heating can help get your system back on track. We’ve got experienced technicians who know their stuff and can fix things right the first time.
Our team is ready to help with reliable AC repair services and honest solutions, whether you need an emergency fix or routine maintenance. Let’s get your AC back to its cool, ice-free self. Call us today!