Does the air emitting from your supply registers suddenly appear hot? Look at the indoor component of your air conditioner. This part is located in your furnace or air handler, if you rely on a heat pump. If there’s water seeping onto the floor, there may be ice on the evaporator coil. The AC coil within the unit could have frosted over. You’ll need to defrost it before it can cool your house again.
Here’s what to do. If you can’t get the coil frost-free, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is here to support you with air conditioning repair in Roanoke backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.*
Step 1: Set the Air Conditioning to Off and the Blower On
To begin—move the thermostat from “cool” to “off.” This stops cold refrigerant from going to the outdoor compressor, which could damage it and result in a pricey repair.
Next, move the fan from “auto” to “on.” This produces heated airflow over the frosty coils to force them to melt faster. Double check to set the cooling mode to “off” so the air conditioner doesn’t trigger a cooling cycle.
It can take less than an hour or the better part of a day for the ice to melt, depending on the degree of the accumulation. While you’re waiting, keep an eye on the condensate pan underneath the AC unit. If the drain line is clogged, it could create a mess as the ice melts, potentially resulting in water damage.
Step 2: Diagnose the Trouble
Bad airflow is a main reason for an AC to freeze up. Here’s how to troubleshoot the problem:
- Inspect the filter. Low airflow through a clogged filter could be to blame. Look at and put in a new filter once a month or immediately when you see dust accumulation.
- Open any shut supply vents. Your residence’s supply registers should be open constantly. Closing vents limits airflow over the evaporator coil, which might lead it to freeze.
- Look for blocked return vents. These usually don’t have adjustable louvers, but furniture, rugs or curtains can still block them.
- Low refrigerant: While airflow restrictions are the most frequent suspect, your air conditioning may also not have enough refrigerant. Depending on when it was installed, it may rely on Freon®. Insufficient refrigerant calls for pro help from a certified HVAC tech. H2: Step 3: Get in Touch with an HVAC Pro at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning
If insufficient airflow doesn’t seem to be the problem, then something else is making your AC freeze. If this is what’s occurring, simply letting it melt won’t take care of the problem. The evaporator coil will possibly keep freezing unless you take care of the root issue. Call an HVAC tech to check for troubles with your air conditioner, which may include:
- Refrigerant leak: AC units continuously use refrigerant, so it shouldn’t run out. Not enough refrigerant signals a leak somewhere. Only a technician can pinpoint the leak, repair it, and recharge the air conditioning to the correct level.
- Dirty evaporator coil: If dust accumulates on the coil, air can’t flow over it, and it’s liable to freeze.
- Malfunctioning blower: A defective motor or unbalanced fan could stop airflow over the evaporator coil.
If your AC freezes up, call on the ACE-certified professionals at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to take care of the problem. We have years of experience helping homeowners check their air conditioners, and we’re certain we can get things operating again in no time. Contact us at 540-302-8645 to book air conditioning repair in Roanoke with us right away.
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