It may be winter now, but summer is closer than you think. While the effectiveness of your AC unit may be the furthest thing from your mind right now, you are going to need it soon enough, so it’s important you have some understanding how your HVAC works. For instance, you’ll need to know what to do in case your AC coils freeze up. While your AC is supposed to keep everything in your house nice and cold, its coils are the last thing you want to see covered in ice as it can severely restrict your AC’s ability to function. To keep your HVAC humming along this summer, here are some things to look for.
Dirty Air Filters
Your HVAC isn’t going to operate efficiently unless it has easy access to air moving in and out of its system. Dirty and clogged filters prevent air from escaping your AC. When cold air gets stuck in your AC, it can’t escape the coils and essentially freezes them.
Broken Fans
Whether your filters are dirty or not, the air won’t circulate if the fans aren’t working. You’ll want to keep that steady fan hum going at all times for a functioning HVAC.
Blocked Condensate Lines
Excess moisture needs to drain away from your AC or that moisture freezes. Your condensate lines are responsible for removing your AC’s condensation, but if those lines are blocked, the water stays put and freezes on the coils.
Malfunctioning Thermostat
The thermostat gauges the temperature of the room and the AC to make sure the HVAC is only operating as hard as necessary, and no more. If it’s not functioning properly, your AC unit will produce more cold air than is required, which can freeze the coils.
Refrigerant Leaks
Refrigerant makes the AC unit operable by changing pressure and temperature for the purpose of absorbing heat and creating cold air. If there’s a leak in the system, a drop in pressure would make the refrigerant absorb more heat than is desired, thereby freezing the coils.
How to Resolve Frozen AC Coils
The first thing you’ll need to do is turn off the AC unit. This will prevent compressor failure, and allow the frozen water to drain away. The next and most important step is to call one of the emergency HVAC companies in Snellville, GA. The potential for permanent long-term damage to your HVAC is severe, so it’s not worth taking any chances.
While waiting for their arrival, clean up the water around the unit. If the ice is having trouble melting, try using a hair dryer. Do not, however, try to chip away at the ice as this could damage the coils.
Prevention
If you notice any of the problems occurring above, you’ll need to take active measures to prevent frozen coils from being a regular occurrence. Call one of your local HVAC companies in Snellville, GA, for regular inspections. An HVAC specialist can perform routine maintenance such as switching out and cleaning filters and fan rotors.
Preventative maintenance is the best way to treat problems with your HVAC before they become severe enough to require major repairs. Regularly maintaining your AC system will save you in both money and headaches. If you have any questions, call us at Triad Mechanical Service Specialist LLC today!