Why Are My AC Coils Frozen?

Ever noticed ice forming on your air conditioner? While you might think this shows how well it's cooling your home, frozen AC coils actually indicate that your AC isn't working correctly.

There are many reasons why your AC's coils might freeze, such as poor airflow or a malfunctioning fan. That's why we'll outline all the specifics, including:

Stay with us to the end to learn how to fix frozen AC coils and when you should contact a professional for further assistance.

You can think of the coils in your air conditioner almost like a sponge that sucks in heat, transferring it to the refrigerant inside. The refrigerant would then normally carry the heat to the outdoor unit, where it can be expelled, but the whole cycle grinds to a halt if your coils freeze.

Frozen AC coils prevent efficient heat transfer because the ice inhibits airflow, preventing warmth from the indoor air from conducting into the refrigerant. When this happens, the refrigerant's pressure drops too low, making it too cold and promoting even more ice to form on the coils in a vicious cycle.

When your AC coils freeze, the most immediate issues include:

• Impaired or complete loss of cooling
• Longer cycling and reduced efficiency
• Higher energy bills

While freezing is sometimes a one-off occurrence due to environmental conditions, it's often the first sign that your AC needs maintenance or repairs. Ignoring the problem and continuing to run the air conditioner can lead to progressive issues such as:

• Compressor strain
• Damage to the coils
• Drain pan cracks
• Water damage to your home

Frozen coils often stem from something that's easy to fix, but repair costs can quickly spiral out of control if you don't act quickly. In the worst situation, an old AC with a few years left may fail early.

Proper maintenance prevents frozen coils and can fix the problem if the cause is something minor. Routine tasks you can handle yourself include:

• Cleaning or replacing air filters regularly
• Checking and cleaning AC coils whenever they're visibly dirty
• Checking vents for any obstructions
• Checking for unusual noises or vibrations
• Monitoring cooling performance and energy usage

If you notice frozen AC coils and cleaning the air filters, coils, and vents doesn't correct the problem, it's time to contact a professional like Advantage Air to investigate.

By checking refrigerant levels, drain lines, and duct airflow, HVAC technicians can easily determine the root cause of freezing and stop it from leading to AC failure. Annual maintenance can prevent freezing from happening in the first place, but it's never too late for a tune-up to address existing issues.