Using and Maintaining HVAC Systems in Rental Properties

3 Things That Can Cause Your Air Handler To Ice Over

If you took a peek inside your air handler to see why your AC wasn't cooling your home and you saw ice everywhere, you may have been shocked. It seems odd that an air conditioner would ice over, but it's actually a common problem. There are a couple of things that can cause this problem, but you'll probably need an air conditioning repair service to help get your AC going again. Here's why an air handler can ice over and what an air conditioning repair service might do to help.

1. The Filter Might Be Clogged With Dust 

Before you call an air conditioning repair service, check your filter. If it's coated in dust, that could be the problem. A dirty filter restricts airflow, and this can lead to the coil in your air handler freezing over. Change the filter to see if that fixes the problem. However, you'll need to let the AC thaw out first, and that might take quite a while.

The ice has to melt before an AC technician can check the air conditioner anyway, so you might as well get started by turning off the AC but running the fan. When all the ice is gone and the filter has been changed, see if your AC starts blowing cool air. If not, it's time to call an air conditioning repair service for help.

2. The Refrigerant Coil Might Be Grimy

Dirty refrigerant coils can also cause your air handler to ice over. If you know how to, you can clean the coils yourself. If you don't know how to, then let an air conditioning repair technician do it. The process involves using a brush and coil cleaner to get the coil clean so the refrigerant inside the coil can cool down your house.

3. The Refrigerant Has A Leak

This is a problem you probably don't want to have since it is complex to repair and it can be an expensive air conditioning repair. You'll definitely need the assistance of a licensed professional to fix a refrigerant leak and add new refrigerant to the system.

If your refrigerant is leaking, the leak will go on until all of the refrigerant is gone, so the operation of your AC will continue to deteriorate until repairs are done. Repairs consist of patching up the leak and then filling the refrigerant. A leak can happen on the evaporator coil, condenser coil, or the copper lines that connect them. The leak results in a loss of pressure that keeps your air conditioner from working properly and that even allows ice to form on the coils and refrigerant line.


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