At some point, we have all had an air conditioner unit freeze. There are three main reasons an AC system will freeze up.
1. Airflow. The most common reason for an air conditioner to freeze up is due to lack of airflow. A clogged filter will block the flow of air which can result in the AC freezing. It’s important to clean the filters every month to prevent the freezing of the unit.
2. Refrigerant. Second, an AC unit will freeze if the refrigerant is at a low level. Refrigerant should not leak because air conditioning systems are sealed systems. If the system is low on refrigerant, there must be a leak in the lines or in the equipment.
3. Maintenance. Lastly, a lack of maintenance can also lead to the freezing of a unit. AC units need regular preventive maintenance. During a maintenance tune-up, components are cleaned, including evaporator and coils. Extremely dirty evaporator coils can be a reason for the unit to freeze. If a lot of debris travels through the air, the evaporator coils can acquire thick amounts of dirt. Evaporators, coils, and other components should be cleaned thoroughly at least once a year.
If your air conditioner freezes, you’ll likely need maintenance or repair. Consider renting a spot cooler from Priority Rental as a backup so you won’t have to sweat it out while waiting. Be sure to perform regular maintenance on your AC unit to avoid freezing.