Is your air conditioner unusually icy? Even though the AC system should keep your home cool, it shouldn't ice over. If your AC is more than just cold, take a look at what you need to know about ice and air conditioning system repair.
Is It Ever Normal for An Air Conditioner To Ice Over?
The only time you should ever see ice on any part of your AC system is during the winter. The condenser unit cools the refrigerant and compresses it from a gas or vapor into a liquid. This process happens outside of your home. If it snows, the temperature drops after it rains, or there is an ice storm, the frozen water can coat the outside of the exposed condenser. Exterior element-related ice is the only place and time that your AC should freeze.
Why Could Ice Form On Your Air Conditioner?
There are a few different culprits behind an icy AC issue. A refrigerant leak or low refrigerant could result in ice formation on the evaporator coil. But this isn't the only possible cause. A dirty evaporator coil or clogged filter can restrict airflow and cause your air conditioner to ice over. In general, any mechanical failure or wear that forces the temperature in the condenser evaporator to drop below the freezing point may result in ice.
Should You Repair A Frozen Air Conditioner?
The better question is—should you repair or replace a frozen air conditioner? A wait-and-see approach won't help your AC system. An icy issue isn't likely to repair itself or just go away. This means the problem could grow or the ice could force the system to work harder. The result is added strain on an already compromised air conditioner and increased energy usage. The more energy your system uses, the more money you'll spend on home cooling costs.
What Should You Do If There's Ice On Your Air Conditioner?
You're tempted to warm the unit and wipe away the ice with a towel or a tool. But should you attempt to fix your air conditioner right now? A do-it-yourself AC repair is not the next step to take. Even though it might seem like you could easily wash the ice off of the AC system, this DIY approach could prove dangerous. An air conditioner is a complex machine that uses electricity. A botched DIY job puts you at risk for a shock or worse.
Not only could you put yourself in danger, but a DIY AC repair could also cause more damage to the system. If you see ice on your air conditioner, contact a qualified air conditioning system repair professional as soon as possible. The professional can assess the air conditioner, diagnose the issue, and make the necessary repairs.
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