Is Your AC Coil Freezing Up?
We understand the logic that can lead to confusion in regards to your AC coil freezing over. After all, it is an air conditioner, right? Cooling things down is kind of the whole point, right? Right.
To a certain degree.
Yes, your air conditioner is supposed to cool things down for you. However, it is not a freezer, and shouldn’t be performing as such. If you see ice on your air conditioner in general, you’re likely dealing with a system that is compromised in some way. The solution? Working with trained professionals that specialize in air conditioning repair in Raleigh, NC.
We’re the team that you’ll want on your side, especially in such cases. Why? Because ice on your coil could actually be an indicator of very serious problems with your air conditioner. Or it could be a relatively simple fix! Our team has the skills and expertise necessary for diagnosing the problem accurately and resolving it completely.
Why Is a Frozen Coil Such a Big Problem?
Well, the AC is supposed to cool things down. So if it’s freezing the coil—what? It’s working too well or something?
NO!
It’s not working properly. Let’s cover how that ice forms to begin with.
Remember, your air conditioner doesn’t create “coolness” somehow. It removes heat from the air in your home. This is accomplished through the refrigerant cycle. Refrigerant evaporates indoors, drawing heat out of the air outside. It released heat outdoors as it condenses. If the coil gets too cold, then moisture on that coil that collects as condensation during the removal of heat can freeze up. If the coil freezes up, the ice creates an insulating layer on the coil, and the whole heat transfer process is disrupted. So why might that coil get too cold?
Reasons Why Your Coil Gets Cold Enough to Freeze Up
It’s not because the AC is working too well, as we’ve covered. So what does cause this problem? Well, as is the case with many AC issues, there are a few likely culprits.
- Refrigerant Leaks. This is probably the most serious issue that you can encounter with your air conditioning system. If you have a refrigerant leak, that low refrigerant level is going to make it tough for the system to draw heat out of the air. Thus, the coil can get too cold and ice can form on it.
- Collapsed Ducts. Reduced airflow through the system puts a lot of unnecessary strain on the coil. If you have a collapsed duct, then airflow is obviously going to be negatively affected. This is why “out of sight, out of mind” is never the way to go with your ductwork.
- Clogged Air Filters. This is the best case scenario for sure. It means that you need to be more diligent in changing your air filter, but nothing is really wrong with your system beyond a dirty filter severely restricting airflow.
If your filter is clean but you encounter this problem, schedule service with Raleigh Heating & Air immediately!