The Chilling Truth About Frozen AC Coils

If your AC is struggling to keep up or has shut down, it could be caused by your coils freezing up. You may find a bit of frost beginning to form, or you may find your coils buried under a block of ice. Regardless of how much ice has formed, your system will need immediate attention from a knowledgable HVAC contractor like Dodge Cooling and Heating. Read more to find the truth behind your frozen AC coils.

1. Lack of Air Flow

   Your AC system NEEDS proper airflow over the coils to regulate coil temperature. When air is not flowing over the coils, the coils become too cold and frost begins to form. The frost accumulates and the coils become even colder. If unnoticed, your AC coils can become frozen solid. This could be caused by clogged Air filter or blocked air vents.

   
   

2. Low Refrigerant Levels

   Another common reason for frozen coils is low refrigerant levels. If your system is low on refrigerant, the pressure will drop causing the temperature in the coils to drop too low, causing ice to begin forming. This could be due to a leak somewhere in the system.

   
   

3. Dirty Coils

   Dirt and debris can build up on your AC coils, creating an insulating barrier. This prevents them from absorbing the warmer air that should be flowing over them. Without that airflow, your AC coils can become frozen.

What to do if you find Frozen AC Coils

1. Shut down your system right away! Ice breeds more ice. The system will need to be 100% thawed before turning back on again. It also needs to be thawed before a HVAC contractor can properly inspect and test the system.

   
   

2. Check all your air filters and replace if clogged.

   
   

3. Contact your local HVAC Contractor, Dodge Cooling and Heating, to figure out the root cause of the your frozen AC coil to ensure it doesn't happen again!