How to Fix a Frozen Air Conditioner 

Summer’s coming (believe it or not) and here’s an often cited scenario with the average homeowner: They’re sitting in their house, minding their own business, happily indulging a bowl of popcorn and watching their favorite TV show, when they notice that awful sound; drip… drip… drip. They glance over to see the cat licking at a puddle that’s slowly forming on the kitchen floor. Just like that, the mood changes: Concern, stress, and that ”oh brother!” feeling. What caused the leak?; water heater, leaky toilet, shower, faucet? Nope – the central air conditioner is frozen solid. This can strike anywhere, from the U.S. to Timbuktu, regardless of summer heat. 

Why Air Conditioners Freeze 

The part of the air conditioner that actually freezes is known as the evaporator coil. This component of the air conditioner transfers (evaporates) heat from the inside to the outside of your the U.S. area home. There are two primary reasons the evaporator coil may freeze: 

  1. Restricted air flow 
  1. Low refrigerant 

Either way, the ending effect is that the air conditioner’s evaporator coil will be unable to properly disperse the heat, and in essence ‘overcools’ itself. The result 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 other words, the A/C has morphed into an old-school icebox. 

What Can You Do When Your A/C Freezes? 

  • Turn the A/C 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 blocked by furniture or curtains. 
  • Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. The air conditioning system needs to be serviced by a professional that is ACE-certified 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 lead to a costly repair. When your air conditioner 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 people are forced to pick between installing a new system vs repairing the old model. If you act quickly and call a ACE-certified technician, you have better odds of getting a less expensive emergency. 

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

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