3 Fast Steps to Repair a Frozen Air Conditioner

Does the air coming from your supply registers abruptly seem hot? Look at the indoor portion of your air conditioner. This component is located within your furnace or air handler, if you rely on a heat pump. If there’s water leaking onto the floor, there might be ice on the evaporator coil. The AC coil inside the equipment could have frozen. You’ll need to melt it before it can cool your home again.

Here’s the steps you should take. If you can’t get the coil defrosted, Donelson Air Service Experts is here to assist you with air conditioning repair in Nashville upheld by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.*

Step 1: Switch the Air Conditioning Off and the Blower On

To begin—switch the thermostat from “cool” to “off.” This stops chilled refrigerant from flowing to the outdoor compressor, which could harm it and result in a costly repair.

Then, adjust the fan from “auto” to “on.” This makes heated airflow over the frosty coils to force them to defrost faster. Make sure to set the cooling mode to “off” so the air conditioner doesn’t start a cooling cycle.

It could take under an hour or the better part of a day for the ice to defrost, depending on the extent of the accumulation. While you’re waiting, watch the condensate pan below the AC unit. If the drain line is clogged, it could cause a mess as the ice melts, possibly creating water damage.

Step 2: Pinpoint the Issue

Poor airflow is a prime cause for an AC to freeze up. Here’s how to troubleshoot the issue:

  • Check the filter. Insufficient airflow through a clogged filter could be the culprit. Check and change the filter once a month or as soon as you observe a layer of dust.
  • Open any shut supply vents. Your residence’s supply registers should remain open constantly. Shutting vents reduces airflow over the evaporator coil, which can lead it to freeze.
  • Check for obstructed return vents. These often don’t come with adjustable louvers, but furniture, rugs or curtains can still block them.
  • Low refrigerant: While airflow restrictions are the most frequent suspect, your air conditioner may also not have enough refrigerant. Depending on how old it is, it may use Freon®. Insufficient refrigerant necessitates skilled support from a certified HVAC technician. H2: Step 3: Contact an HVAC Expert at Donelson Air Service Experts

If low airflow doesn’t seem to be the trouble, then another issue is leading your AC frost over. If this is what’s occurring, merely thawing it out won’t take care of the issue. The evaporator coil will probably keep freezing unless you fix the main issue. Contact an HVAC tech to look for issues with your air conditioner, which can include:

  • Refrigerant leak: AC units recycle refrigerant, so it shouldn’t run low. Not enough refrigerant means there’s a leak somewhere. Only a pro can find the leak, fix it, and recharge the system to the correct amount.
  • Filthy evaporator coil: If grime collects on the coil, air can’t flow over it, and it’s apt to freeze.
  • Broken blower: A faulty motor or unbalanced fan may stop airflow over the evaporator coil.

When your AC freezes up, call on the ACE-certified specialists at Donelson Air Service Experts to repair the issue. We have a lot of experience helping homeowners check their air conditioners, and we’re certain we can get things running again fast. Contact us at 615-953-9885 to book air conditioning repair in Nashville with us right away.

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