How to Fix a Frozen Air Conditioner 

Summer’s coming (we promise) and here’s an all-to-familiar scenario with the average homeowner: They’re sitting in their house, minding their own business, happily indulging a bowl of popcorn and watching Netflix, when they notice that terrible sound; drip… drip… drip. They look over to see the dog licking at a puddle that’s steadily forming on the dining room floor. In a flash: Anxiety, stress, and that ”oh brother!” feeling. Where did the leak come from?; water heater, leaky toilet, shower, faucet? Nope – it’s the air conditioner of all things. This can strike anywhere, from Jacksonville to Timbuktu, regardless of weather. 

Why Air Conditioners Freeze 

When a central air conditioner freezes up, what actually freezes is the condenser unit’s evaporator coil. This component of the air conditioner transfers (evaporates) heat from the inside to the outside of your Jacksonville area home. The two main reasons why the evaporator coil may freeze: 

1. Airflow restriction 

2. Lack of sufficient refrigerant 

Either way, the result is that the air conditioner’s evaporator coil does not properly dissipate heat, and consequently ‘overcools’ itself. The net effect of this super-cooling is condensation (that’s water formation), and over time ice forms from that condensation as it cools below the freezing point. In short, the A/C has morphed into an old-school icebox. 

What Can You Do When Your A/C Freezes? 

• Turn the system completely off at the thermostat, and do not just move up the temperature on the thermostat. Ensure the A/C system is completely OFF. 

• Do what you can to ensure airflow is not restricted. Replace the furnace or air handler’s filter along with any return air filters. Open all the registers completely and verify that they are not obstructed by furniture or drapes. 

• Call Air Engineers Service Experts. The air conditioning system needs to be professionally inspected to ensure there are no refrigerant leaks or damage to the equipment. Simply schedule a Performance Inspection or Repair Diagnostic online, or call to talk to a live person right away. 

What Does it Cost to Repair? 

This can turn into a pricey repair. When your AC freezes over it can lead to damage to the compressor. Replacing your compressor could easily cost as much as a downpayment on a high efficiency model. Unfortunately, many homeowners are forced to choose between installing a new system vs repairing the old one. If you follow the steps above and quickly call a ACE-certified technician, you stand a better chance of getting a less expensive repair. 

Your technician will advise you of the exact cause and how to avoid the issue from occurring in the future. If a leak exists (and that is rare, but possible), the leak has to be repaired or the unit will probably freeze again.