There are few things as dreadful as an AC that isn’t working during the dead of summer. It can be frustrating and uncomfortable. One common problem that homeowners run into is ice building up on their AC unit. When this happens, your AC isn’t going to be able to cool down your home properly. If you don’t address the issue, it can lead to even bigger problems with your system. Agape Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing is here to talk about what causes the ice in the first place and what can be done to eliminate this issue.
Common Causes for Ice on Your AC
If you have found ice on your unit upon inspection, it is more than likely building up on the evaporator coils. This is the most common place where ice builds up. There are a few different reasons why ice might be building up on your unit. Finding the cause of the problem is the first step in fixing it.
– Refrigerant Leaks: One of the keys to cooling your home is the refrigerant found inside your AC unit. It is essential is working to cool off the air. While you might hear of people getting their unit charged with more refrigerant, that only happens if there is a leak somewhere. Refrigerant is located inside a closed system. It is just recirculated through the coils and shouldn’t need to be refilled. As an AC unit ages, it is fairly common for a refrigerant leak to become a problem. Sometimes, this can be solved, but sometimes it means that you need to have your system replaced.
– Lack of Airflow: Your system needs to have ample airflow to keep things working properly. This relies heavily on the air filter you have inside your unit. Replacing the air filter on a regular basis is essential. When there is a lack of airflow, the evaporator coil becomes too cold and starts to freeze. The initial thin layer of frost will continue to grow until the coils are covered in ice. If it has been a while since you checked on your air filter, it is a good time to give it a once over to make sure it isn’t the cause of your problem.
– Dirty AC Coils: The evaporator coils need to also be clean. When they are covered in dirt and grime, it causes them to be unable to absorb the heat from the air in your home. If this doesn’t happen, the coils will get colder than they should and start to freeze due to the condensation that is present on the coils.
Air Conditioning Inspections, Preventive Maintenance Tune Ups & More in Manhattan, Flushing, Queens, Brooklyn & The Bronx, New York
If you have noticed that there is ice forming on your AC, you can turn to the pros at Agape Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing to fix it. We will diagnose the problem and work quickly to resolve it so that you are comfortable and cool again. Call us today!
