Air conditioners should not be covered in ice! It’s a common misconception that ice on an air conditioner is nothing to worry about. After all, it’s supposed to be extremely cold, right? But air conditioners with ice on their coils are actually in pretty serious trouble. The ice is a sign that there’s already a problem—and beyond that, the ice itself is causing problems!
Don’t ignore an icy air conditioner. There are some steps you can take to try to resolve the issue on your own. If those don’t work, you’ll need AC repair to address the root of the problem.
What should you do about an iced-up air conditioner? Here’s a straightforward checklist for you to follow.
1: Let the Ice Melt
The first thing you need is an air conditioner that’s not covered in ice. Don’t chip away at it! You could cause serious damage to the coils underneath the ice. Simply turn the air conditioner off. The ice should melt away in a day or less. The water will accumulate in the condensate pan, so you should check occasionally to make sure it’s draining properly and not causing a leaky mess.
2: Clean the Coils
One major potential cause of AC ice is dirty evaporator coils. Why? The ice forms when the coils can’t absorb enough heat. Dust and dirt can act like insulation, getting between the coil and the heat. Then, when condensation naturally forms, it freezes solid because the coils are too cold! It’s a good idea to regularly dust the coils. Canned air is a gentle way to do it that won’t cause damage.
3: Clean the Air Filter
Another reason for the coils to fail to absorb heat is if there just isn’t enough air moving past them, so there isn’t access to enough heat to absorb. This can be caused by something that requires professional repair, like a broken blower fan motor. But it can also be caused by a simple clogged air filter. Make sure the filter is good and clean.
4: Try Again
Turn on the air conditioner. How is it working now? It may take a bit of time to figure out if the ice is starting to form again. If not, you’ve solved your problem, and you just need to be diligent about keeping the coils and the air filter clean in the future. If the ice does come back, you’ve got a different problem on your hands. You need AC repair in Oro Valley, AZ.
5: Professional Repair
This is the time to call in a qualified technician who can diagnose and repair the problem. What could be wrong? Aside from the motor problem mentioned above, the most likely scenario is that you’ve got a refrigerant leak somewhere in the system. Your HVAC tech can find exactly where the refrigerant is leaking from and get the coils patched and refilled, and you won’t have to worry about ice any more.
Contact Picture Rocks Cooling, Heating & Plumbing today with any questions or to schedule an appointment with our professionals.