Does the air emitting from your supply registers unexpectedly seem hot? Check the indoor portion of your air conditioner. This piece is located inside your furnace or air handler, if you have a heat pump. If there’s water dripping onto the floor, there could be ice on the evaporator coil. The AC coil in the equipment could have frozen over. You’ll need to defrost it before it can cool your residence again.
Here’s what to do. If you can’t get the coil defrosted, San Antonio Air Service Experts is here to support you with air conditioning repair in San Antonio backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.*
Step 1: Switch the Air Conditioning Off and the Blower On
First things first—switch the thermostat from “cool” to “off.” This stops chilled refrigerant from flowing to the outdoor compressor, which could damage it and result in a pricey repair.
Then, switch the fan from “auto” to “on.” This produces warm airflow over the frozen coils to make them melt faster. Remember to set the cooling mode to “off” so the air conditioner doesn’t start a cooling cycle.
It can take less than an hour or the majority of the day for the ice to thaw, depending on the degree of the buildup. While you’re waiting, keep an eye on the condensate pan underneath the AC unit. If the drain line is clogged, it can spill over as the ice melts, possibly creating water damage.
Step 2: Diagnose the Situation
Low airflow is a primary explanation for an AC to frost over. Here’s how to figure out the situation:
- Check the filter. Low airflow through a clogged filter could be the culprit. Look at and put in a new filter each month or immediately when you see dust buildup.
- Open any closed supply vents. Your house’s supply registers should be open all the time. Closing vents reduces airflow over the evaporator coil, which could result in it freezing.
- Check for blocked return vents. These usually don’t use shiftable louvers, but furniture, rugs or curtains can still cover them.
- Low refrigerant: While airflow restrictions are the most frequent cause, your air conditioning could also have insufficient refrigerant. Depending on its age, it may have Freon®. Insufficient refrigerant requires professional support from a certified HVAC tech. H2: Step 3: Call an HVAC Professional at San Antonio Air Service Experts
If inadequate airflow doesn’t appear to be the trouble, then something else is leading your AC freeze up. If this is what’s going on, merely defrosting it won’t repair the issue. The evaporator coil is likely to freeze again unless you take care of the underlying problem. Get in touch with an HVAC tech to address problems with your air conditioner, which might include:
- Refrigerant leak: AC units continuously use refrigerant, so it shouldn’t run low. Low refrigerant signals a leak somewhere. Only a professional can find the leak, mend it, and recharge the air conditioner to the appropriate concentration.
- Dirty evaporator coil: If grime builds up on the coil, air can’t reach it, and it’s likely to freeze.
- Broken blower: A defective motor or unbalanced fan might prevent airflow over the evaporator coil.
The next time your AC freezes up, get in touch with the ACE-certified professionals at San Antonio Air Service Experts to repair the situation. We have lots of experience helping homeowners check their air conditioners, and we’re sure we can get things operating again fast. Contact us at 210-570-9705 to book air conditioning repair in San Antonio with us right away.
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