Frozen air conditioners are a fairly common problem for Gurnee, IL homeowners. When this happens, AC repairs should be carried out at once. Operating a frozen air conditioner can severely damage the compressor. Here’s why your air conditioner may be wearing a coat of ice:
Drainage Problems
The moisture that your AC removes from indoor air collects in a drain pan beneath the cooling coil. It then exits your home through the condensate drain. Without regular maintenance, the drain can get clogged with dirt and organic growth. Moisture can back up and turn the cooling coil into an ice block.
Poor Airflow
Cooling coils need to be able to transfer heat to prevent them from freezing. Poor airflow limits the amount of warm air passing over the coils. Instead of draining out, moisture gathers on the coils and freezes.
Refrigerant Leak
Insufficient refrigerant makes the coil too cold. Moisture settles on it and freezes. If the refrigerant level gets too low, your air conditioner won’t be able to cool the air. AC repairs involving refrigerant should always be performed by expert HVAC contractors.
Dirty Evaporator Coil
Dirty buildup on the cooling coils prevents them from absorbing heat quickly enough to keep it from freezing. Over time, a small amount of frost can transform the coil into a solid block of ice.
Broken Blower Fan
The blower fan that moves cool air through your vents can wear out or become damaged over time. Improper blower fan operation reduces airflow. Moisture can accumulate on the coils, and the refrigerant line might freeze.
The expert HVAC contractors at Herchenbach Mechanical Inc., offer 24/7 emergency service for AC repairs that can’t wait. Call us at (847) 260-9335 to learn more.
