Why is my AC system freezing up?

There are an abundance of possibilities that can prompt your HVAC system to freeze up; almost all of them usually need to be corrected by a professional technician. Ensuring the air filter is clean or replaced and making sure the airflow is not restricted are about the only causes a homeowner should safely investigate or handle themself.

Low refrigerant: On occasion, freezing up is caused by a leak in the refrigerant lines. Weak solder joints, friction from piping rubbing or vibrating against an object, leaking valves or loose fittings can cause leaks. How long your system has been operating and the type and location of the leak will determine whether to have the system repaired or replaced.

Dirty evaporator coil: As time passes, the evaporator coil will become dirty. On these occasions, the results are similar to those of having a dirty filter. Increasingly you will lose airflow, slowly enough that you probably would not realize it until it freezes up or is not cooling adequately. You will need to contact your local Service Experts sales and service center to fix the problem.

Defective blower motor or relay: A blower motor operating at the wrong speed or not running at all can cause freezing. It can also be discontinuous, starting at full speed and slowing down after it heats up. Or a relay could cause it to start one time and not the next. In either scenario, you will need to contact your local Service Experts sales and service center to correct the problem.

Should you find that your system was freezing due to a dirty air filter, after replacing or cleaning the filter, you can expedite the thawing process by turning the system off and then turning on only the fan. If you have a heat pump system, you can try turning the system to heating mode until the ice has melted. After the ice has melted, turn the system settings back to normal. If the system refreezes, contact D.A. Bennett Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning in Albany to correct the problem.