Does the air flowing from your supply registers abruptly feel not cold enough? Look at the indoor portion of your air conditioner. This piece is located in your furnace or air handler, if you use a heat pump. If there’s water dripping onto the floor, there could be crystals on the evaporator coil. The AC coil inside the equipment might have frozen. You’ll need to defrost it before it can cool your house again.
Here’s what to do. If you can’t get the coil frost-free, Eveready Service Experts is here to support you with air conditioning repair in Richmond that includes a a 100% satisfaction guarantee.*
Step 1: Switch the Air Conditioning Off and the Blower On
To get started—set the thermostat from “cool” to “off.” This stops chilled refrigerant from moving to the outdoor compressor, which could damage it and cause a pricey repair.
Then, adjust the fan from “auto” to “on.” This makes warm airflow over the crystallized coils to make them defrost faster. Make sure to set the cooling mode to “off” so the air conditioner doesn’t start a cooling cycle.
It can take under an hour or most of the day for the ice to thaw, depending on the extent of the ice. While you’re waiting, watch the condensate pan underneath the AC unit. If the drain line is clogged, it could cause a mess as the ice melts, possibly causing water damage.
Step 2: Diagnose the Issue
Bad airflow is a prime reason for an AC to freeze up. Here’s how to get to the bottom of the issue:
- Inspect the filter. Inadequate airflow through a filthy filter could be the problem. Look at and replace the filter once a month or immediately when you notice dust accumulation.
- Open any shut supply vents. Your house’s supply registers should remain open constantly. Shutting vents reduces airflow over the evaporator coil, which could cause it to freeze.
- Be on the lookout for obstructed return vents. These often don’t use shiftable louvers, but furniture, rugs or curtains can still cover them.
- Insufficient refrigerant: While airflow restrictions are the most frequent culprit, your air conditioner might also not have enough refrigerant. Depending on when it was installed, it may rely on Freon®. Not enough refrigerant requires skilled help from a certified HVAC technician. H2: Step 3: Call an HVAC Technician at Eveready Service Experts
If poor airflow doesn’t seem to be the trouble, then another issue is leading your AC freeze up. If this is what’s occurring, merely defrosting it won’t fix the trouble. The evaporator coil will possibly keep freezing unless you fix the underlying symptom. Get in touch with an HVAC tech to look for issues with your air conditioner, which can include:
- Refrigerant leak: AC units recycle refrigerant, so it shouldn’t run low. Low refrigerant signals a leak somewhere. Only a specialist can locate the leak, fix it, and recharge the system to the appropriate concentration.
- Grimy evaporator coil: If dust collects on the coil, air can’t reach it, and it’s apt to freeze.
- Malfunctioning blower: A defective motor or unbalanced fan can stop airflow over the evaporator coil.
The next time your AC freezes up, contact the ACE-certified professionals at Eveready Service Experts to fix the issue. We have years of experience helping homeowners check their air conditioners, and we’re certain we can get things working again fast. Contact us at 804-548-4480 to book air conditioning repair in Richmond with us now.
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