Air conditioners are installed to locations where the sun’s heat primarily prevails and emits cold air. It yields numerous advantages to the environment and people’s health, from providing safety and superior quality of life in our own homes. However, as aircon may seem beneficial, it can also be associated with various system troubles. One of which is the possibility of freezing up. Below are the reasons why this reality happens.
Root Causes of Air Conditioner Freeze Up
1. Blocked Compressor Coils
Compressor coils are notable as the center of any air conditioning unit as it pumps the cooling agent throughout the system. These are made to provide adequate surface area for the heated icebox to move along. The fan blows cold air across it, carrying away the heat and causing the refrigerant to condense. When various debris blows over the coils, it can cause a thick dust accumulation which can function as an insulator, trapping the airflow inside it. Therefore, creating a substantial amount of freezing, which generates an icebox effect when combined with humidity.
2. Collapsed Air Duct
The duct is the part of the device involved in the constant circulation of the cold breeze around the property. Suppose the rest of the system runs smoothly, yet the aircon appears to be slightly off in supplying cool air. In that case, the duct can be clogged, hence blocking the air movement to the coils. When this component collapses, it begins to freeze as there is not enough warm air to keep an optimal temperature. As a result of this, the air stops streaming usually and correctly. For this reason, you might want to contact a company specializing in AC repairs.
3. Congested Air Filter
Intake filters are a significant part of air conditioners between the house ventilation system and the unit itself, yet they are often ignored and neglected. This part operates to catch different debris, particulates, and pollutants, consisting of dust, molds, pet dander, and fungal spores, maintaining the air and compressor coils clean. When this component is obstructed, it slows down the airflow, reducing the blower’s functionality; for this reason, the coils will start to freeze up.
4. Damaged Blower Motor
Air conditioners are set up with two varieties of motor, the spinning and blower motors. These parts matter significantly in the system as it turns on the fan, taking the cooled air to move along the unit, delivering a cold vibe around the house. Suppose, by any chance, the capacitor of these motors is damaged. In that situation, the fan will immediately stop blowing, ceasing the airflow over the coils. Once this occurs, the coils will start to freeze, causing irregular and rattling sounds. When this happens, schedule an All American Heating & Air service for detailed unit maintenance and repair.
5. Inadequate Refrigerant
Refrigerant is a chemical compound used for aircon that takes in the heat from the surroundings and deals with the pressure, thus giving off cool air as it goes through the compressors and evaporators. If the amount of cooling agent is minimized, warm air can not be converted into gas that heats up and drops the pressure. It would produce enough cold air to condense moisture for ice to develop, thereby freezing the equipment and crawling through the copper pipes.
6. Low Voltage Electricity
Commonly, we are occupied and attempting to look for the party in charge of unit freezing. Still, we do not recognize that electricity could also be a culprit. There are various air conditioners supplied in the market, and the voltage criteria rely on the size of the equipment. It is essential to power up high system components to function accurately. So, if it is underpowered while the compressor is running, this can trigger an airflow freezing problem which may need a HVAC replacement.