If your AC doesn’t emit cold air, or you notice moisture around your air conditioning system, those are some signs of frozen coils.
Coils are among the critical components of a functional AC. The component is responsible for refrigerant evaporation that helps your AC to cool hot air. Therefore, if the coils freeze, your cooling unit cannot do its job efficiently, which leaves you with a humid, uncomfortable, and unhealthy home. Learn why your AC coils may freeze and how to rectify the problem.
1. Your AC Filters Are Dirty
Your AC cannot function efficiently without a constant airflow. However, air must pass through the filters for purification before it gets to the coils.
With time, dirt and pollen may get stuck in the filters. The debris blocks air passage, which causes moisture to settle around the coils. Also, if air can’t pass the filters, cold air will be stuck inside the AC. The cold air and the moisture around the coils form ice and make the coils freeze.
Other obvious signs of dirty AC filters are:
- Your AC cools unevenly
- Your allergies symptoms suddenly spike
To prevent frozen coils due to dirty filters, regularly clean or change your filters. And if you see no improvements, contact a reliable HVAC contractor to inspect the system and rule out dirty filters as the cause of frozen coils.
2. Your AC Refrigerant Is Leaky
The refrigerant absorbs heat from environmental air and cools it before the AC releases it into your space. If the refrigerant leaks, the chemical will not have adequate pressure to help it absorb heat. Consequently, the refrigerant absorbs more heat than it should, which causes it to expand and freeze.
Besides the adverse effects of refrigerant leaks on your AC, the problem puts your household’s health at risk. As such, be on the lookout for signs of refrigerant leaks, which include:
- Unexplainably high electric bills
- Bubbles around the evaporator coil
- Unusually long cooling cycles
- Odd noises from the AC
Note that refrigerant leaks indicate a more severe issue in most cases, so you shouldn’t attempt to rectify the problem by yourself. Instead, hire an HVAC professional to assess your AC and identify the exact cause.
3. The Condensation Drain Is Faulty
Your AC cannot function without a functional condensate drain. The system counts on the condensate drain to get rid of excess moisture in your indoor air.
Nonetheless, the condensate line may start to malfunction due to age or if it lacks proper maintenance. In addition, the drain may absorb debris from the evaporator. Also, the component is prone to organic growth due to moisture.
The organic growths plus dirt from the evaporator may clog the condensation drains. The blockage leaves absorbed moisture with nowhere to go. The water starts to back up into the AC, and if it remains on the system for too long, it freezes and makes the coils freeze as well.
If the condensation drains clog, it may manifest as:
- Your AC failing to turn on
- Your AC cooling unevenly
- Your indoor AC having excess water around it
- Your AC emitting bad odors
If you notice any of these signs, contact an HVAC expert to inspect your air conditioning system and determine if a faulty condensation drain is the cause of frozen coils.
Frozen AC coils may not be a significant issue at first. But if you don’t correct the problem soon, you may have to replace the entire air conditioning system. So don’t wait to get there. Instead, contact us at CABS Heating & Air Conditioning today for routine inspection and maintenance. The assessment will allow us to identify the above issues and solve them on time.
