Does the air flowing from your supply registers suddenly feel hot? Inspect the indoor part of your air conditioner. This part is housed in your furnace or air handler, if you use a heat pump. If there’s water seeping onto the floor, there might be crystals on the evaporator coil. The AC coil inside the system could have frozen. You’ll need to defrost it before it can cool your residence again.
Here’s the things you should do. If you can’t get the coil defrosted, Matz-Rightway is here to help with air conditioning repair in Long Island backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.*
Step 1: Switch the Air Conditioning Off and the Blower On
To get started—set the thermostat from “cool” to “off.” This prevents cold refrigerant from flowing to the outdoor compressor, which could damage it and lead to an expensive repair.
Next, move the fan from “auto” to “on.” This produces warm airflow over the crystallized coils to make them thaw faster. Make sure to set the cooling mode to “off” so the air conditioner doesn’t trigger a cooling cycle.
It may take not more than an hour or most of the day for the ice to melt, depending on the amount of the accumulation. While you’re waiting, watch the condensate pan underneath the AC unit. If the drain line is blocked, it may cause a mess as the ice melts, likely resulting in water damage.
Step 2: Pinpoint the Situation
Low airflow is a chief reason for an AC to freeze up. Here’s how to troubleshoot the problem:
- Inspect the filter. Low airflow through a filthy filter could be the culprit. Check and replace the filter once a month or once you notice dust buildup.
- Open any sealed supply vents. Your house’s supply registers should remain open all the time. Sealing vents reduces airflow over the evaporator coil, which can cause it to freeze.
- Check for covered return vents. These typically don’t come with moveable louvers, but furniture, rugs or curtains can still block them.
- Not enough refrigerant: While airflow restrictions are the most common cause, your system could also be low on refrigerant. Depending on when it was installed, it may use Freon®. Insufficient refrigerant necessitates professional support from a certified HVAC tech. H2: Step 3: Contact an HVAC Professional at Matz-Rightway
If poor airflow doesn’t feel like the issue, then something else is making your AC freeze up. If this is the case, simply letting it melt won’t fix the problem. The evaporator coil will probably keep freezing unless you take care of the main problem. Get in touch with an HVAC specialist to address troubles with your air conditioner, which may include:
- Refrigerant leak: AC units keep using refrigerant, so it shouldn’t run low. Low refrigerant is a sign of a leak somewhere. Only a technician can locate the leak, repair it, and recharge the air conditioner to the proper level.
- Grimy evaporator coil: If grime accumulates on the coil, air can’t flow over it, and it’s likely to freeze.
- Malfunctioning blower: A bad motor or unbalanced fan might stop airflow over the evaporator coil.
If your AC freezes up, call on the ACE-certified techs at Matz-Rightway to fix the trouble. We have years of experience helping homeowners diagnose their air conditioners, and we’re confident we can get things working again fast. Contact us at 631-406-9220 to book air conditioning repair in Long Island with us today.
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