It sounds backwards, but an air conditioner can freeze solid in the middle of summer, and when it does, it stops cooling entirely. The good news is that a frozen AC is almost always preventable. Here’s how to keep yours from icing up.
Why ACs Freeze Up
Freezing happens when something restricts airflow or drops the refrigerant level, causing the coils to get too cold and condensation to turn to frost. The three usual causes are dirty filters, low refrigerant, and poor airflow.
How to Prevent It
Change your air filter regularly
A clogged filter is the most common cause of a frozen coil. Swap it every one to three months and you eliminate the biggest risk.
Keep airflow clear
Don’t block vents and registers, and keep the area around the indoor and outdoor units clear so air can move freely.
Watch for refrigerant leaks
Low refrigerant from a leak is a top cause of freezing. If your AC ices up repeatedly, a leak is likely, and that’s a pro repair, not a top-off.
Get a yearly tune-up
A maintenance visit cleans the coils, checks the refrigerant charge, and catches airflow problems before they freeze your system. It’s the single best prevention.
If It’s Already Frozen
Turn the AC off and let it thaw fully before running it again, and never chip at the ice. Then figure out what caused it so it doesn’t keep happening.
Stop the Freeze-Ups for Good
If your AC keeps freezing, there’s an underlying cause worth fixing. Bearcat’s maintenance keeps the coils clean and the charge right so it doesn’t ice up on the hottest day. See our AC maintenance services, or call (509) 891-5110.
