An air conditioner should keep you cool and comfortable in your Ocean City, NJ home on a sweltering day; however, ice buildup on the system is a sign something is wrong. This can be frustrating and lead to reduced efficiency or even a complete breakdown. The following are some reasons why your AC may become frozen over and what you can do to fix the problem
1. Low Refrigerant Levels
Your air conditioner relies on refrigerant to absorb heat from the air inside your home. This refrigerant circulates through the system, picks up heat indoors and releases it outdoors. If the refrigerant level is low due to a leak or improper charging, it cannot absorb enough heat.
This causes the evaporator coil (the indoor coil) to become too cold, forming ice. If your system’s defrost cycle doesn’t help get rid of it, you’ll need to make a maintenance or repair appointment with a professional.
2. Clogged Air Filter
A dirty air filter restricts airflow across the evaporator coil. Restricted airflow reduces the coil’s ability to release heat into the air, and this causes it to get too cold and form ice.
A clogged air filter is a simple fix, but it is important to replace your filter regularly to prevent ice buildup and other problems. In general, you should try to check your filter once a month and replace it if you can’t see through it (often within the two–three-month range).
3. Frozen Drain Line
The condensation from the cooling process needs to drain away from the indoor unit. A blocked drain line can prevent this condensation from draining properly and cause it to freeze on the evaporator coil and surrounding components.
Do not wait to get help. If you notice ice buildup on your air conditioner, call Jenkins and Sons Plumbing & Heating.
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