Summer is here and it is starting to get hot! If you are noticing that your house isn’t getting any cooler when you step inside, you may have a frozen air conditioning system. There are a few different reasons as to why your air conditioning unit may freeze up. These can include low levels of refrigerant, incorrect operating temperatures, insufficient airflow across your air conditioning unit’s evaporator coil, or even mechanical failure can all cause the system to freeze up.

We have a few simple tips for you that can help determine the cause of the issue.

Check the air conditioning filter, if it is dark and filled with dirt, it needs to be replaced. The dirty filter can restrict air flow causing a decrease in efficiency in the entire system and may lead to a freeze up. In most cases, frozen coils can damage the fan or compressor by overheating them.

Extremely dirty ductwork or restriction in airflow from your ductwork. Your A/C system is designed to push and pull air through a precisely measured network of ducts. These ducts are responsible for allowing optimal airflow which minimizes the stress and load on the system. When there is a buildup of dirt in your system, the amount of air that can freely flow through the system is negatively impacted. This can lead to issues down the road. We advise that you have your unit checked yearly. Here at UGI Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, you can schedule an annual cleaning and tune-up and also meet with one of our comfort consultants who can advise you on ductwork cleaning.

You may have a water leak from the indoor unit. During the cooling season, the condenser in your A/C unit will produce a lot of condensation which is will run down the coils. Condensation on the coils can freeze. Once the coils start to defrost, that excess water may overflow your collection pan and leak through the equipment and onto your floor. This can ruin your floor overtime.

A system undercharge with refrigerant could also cause a freeze up. If your system is low on refrigerant, your evaporator coils temperature will drop below 32 degrees, causing moisture to freeze on the evaporator. This will restrict the airflow, which can augment the problem. On systems that are severely undercharged, you may find ice forming on the outdoor unit’s compressor.

If you find that only your filter needs to be changed, you may be able to fix it on your own. Always remember to turn the AC unit off while leaving the fan on to allow the unit to thaw. Then change your filter and turn the system back on to see if everything is back and working properly.

If you need to have a professional to come look at your system, be sure to have the system defrosted completely and have the system turned off for when the technician arrives. Your technician will not be able to check your system while it is frozen.

Yearly maintenance is recommended to check keep your system operating at peak efficiency as well as to check for potential system failures before they occur. Call one of our certified UGI Heating, Cooling & Plumbing technicians to schedule an appointment to have your system evaluated and repaired. We provide service to homes throughout Eastern and South Central Pennsylvania, the Lehigh Valley and more. We proudly serve the following areas:

Eastern Pennsylvania