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On a hot summer day, it might seem very strange to see ice forming on your air conditioning unit. However, this problem is fairly common and has two main causes. Here’s a closer look at each reason for the ice along with how to handle it.

Restricted Airflow

The evaporator coil of your AC unit is responsible for cooling the air before distributing it throughout your home. If it has insufficient access to air, the refrigerant in the coil doesn’t have anything to cool, which causes it to freeze.

This part may not have enough airflow if your filter is clogged or vents are dirty or blocked. The coil itself may also be dirty, so air can’t actually access the refrigerant.

Low Refrigerant Level

air conditioningIn other instances, there may be a leak somewhere in your refrigerant delivery system. This causes pressure in the lines to drop, which allows the remaining refrigerant to get even colder and freeze. When this is the case, the freezing normally appears on the pipes or lines of your unit rather than the coil.

What to Do

Regardless of the cause of your freezing, start by turning off your AC—but leave the fan setting on. Over the course of a couple of hours, this should allow your unit to thaw. If you’re not sure of the cause or if you think it’s due to restricted airflow, check your filter and make sure that none of your vents are blocked or dirty.

If these steps don’t solve the problem, call a professional HVAC contractor to inspect your equipment. They’ll put a dye into your delivery system to find the source of the leak or determine where the problem originated.

 

If you’re having issues with your air conditioning system, the professionals at Gary Duncan Service Company in Olive Branch, MS, can help. The Trane®-certified technicians offer a full array of installation, repair, and maintenance services to homeowners and businesses throughout the area. The locally owned and operated company is known for providing affordable prices and prompt, friendly, and personalized service. To request an estimate, call (662) 895-2023 or visit the company’s website.

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