You might think that a frozen air conditioner is just a temporary inconvenience that’s easily solved by shutting down the system to let the cooling coil defrost. While that can often fix the problem for the short term, it’s better to take steps to prevent freezing to avoid putting extra strain on your most costly cooling system component — the compressor. If your air conditioner ices up repeatedly, over time that added workload can cause a compressor breakdown or failure that requires an expensive repair or component replacement.
Here’s what you can do to stop the A/C from freezing up.
· Inspect the air filter frequently — If the air filter becomes clogged with debris, it can affect proper air flow and allow condensate to freeze on the cooling coil. Checking the filter every month and replacing it when you see any debris accumulation can help prevent this.
· Check the supply and return registers — Your cooling system needs a constant flow of air through the supply and return ductwork to work properly. To maintain that vital flow of air, make sure that nothing blocks the return registers and keep all the supply registers open.
· Don’t make radical thermostat adjustments — Dialing back the thermostat won’t cool your home faster, but it can lead to coil icing and a frozen A/C. To maintain a comfortable temperature, it’s better to install a programmable thermostat and program it to match your daily routine.
· Keep the A/C well maintained — During a preventive maintenance visit, a technician takes care of tasks like cleaning the blower fan and evaporator coil that are essential to keep the system running properly and prevent icing up and freezing.
When to Call an HVAC Professional
Problems can sometimes develop even when you take all the right steps to avoid a frozen A/C. That’s when you’ll need to call in an HVAC pro to identify and address the underlying cause, such as a refrigerant leak, a damaged cooling coil, or an issue with the blower or thermostat.
For help fixing a frozen air conditioner in your Calgary home, contact us today at Arpi’s Industries.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Calgary, Alberta about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about a frozen A/C and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide.
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