5 Common Causes of Your AC Freezing Up

Little is more troubling than seeing ice on the air conditioning system in your Harrisburg home. With warmer weather on its way here in Pennsylvania, we know how important it is to have a functional cooling system you can depend on all summer.

Two-thirds of all homes in the United States have air conditioning systems, according to the Department of Energy (DOE). If you find yourself dealing with an air conditioning problem, leave it to our HL Bowman professionals—we’ll handle it for you.

When you turn to our heating and cooling experts for assistance with your frozen air conditioning system, we will perform a thorough inspection, diagnose the problem, and make recommendations on how you can prevent this issue from happening again.

Some of the most common reasons your air conditioning system may freeze include:

1. Poor Airflow

One of the main culprits of a frozen air conditioning system is inadequate airflow. If you have  a problem, like damaged air ducts, the warm air inside your Harrisburg home may struggle to flow over the evaporator coils, resulting in condensation. The compressor will continue to run, and the condensation could become ice.Our experts can check for blockages or leaks in your ductwork and correct the issue to improve your airflow and prevent ice from forming. Just give us a call!

2. Dirty Air Filter

Routinely change air filters every one to three months. If you don’t replace or clean your air filter, it could become dirty or clogged and cause improper airflow. Ice is bound to form on the evaporator coil when air is not getting through. Changing your air filter will keep your air conditioning components from freezing. It also helps improve your indoor air quality (IAQ).

3. Low Refrigerant Levels

If your system has low refrigerant levels or is leaking refrigerant, ice can start building up on your air conditioning system. When your system has little refrigerant, it can’t work effectively, and the reduced pressure could result in nearby water vapor freezing up on the surface of the coil.

Typically, low refrigerant levels are due to a leak somewhere in the system. Our HL Bowman professionals can inspect your system, find the leak, and resolve the issue so your air conditioning system is able to work properly again.

4. Faulty Blower Fan

A damaged blower fan could cause insufficient airflow and cause the coil to freeze up. If you suspect your blower fan is not working, it’s important to call one of our experts. A malfunctioning blower fan can cause issues with your entire heating and cooling system. Our experts will inspect your blower fan and determine the best course of action to take so your system can function efficiently.

5. Clogged Condensate Drain Line

The air conditioning system in your Pennsylvania home works by transferring heat from inside your home to the outside. Moisture from the air will create condensation and that drains out of your home through the condensate drain line.

If there is a clog in your condensate drain line, the drip tray could begin to overflow with excess water from the moisture in the air. This issue could freeze if the surface of the evaporator coil is too cold. Our HL Bowman professionals are highly skilled and equipped with the knowledge to tackle this problem. We will flush and clear your condensate drain line so that your cooling equipment works as designed.

Routine heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) maintenance can help prevent situations like this and ensure your system operates correctly. Be sure to ask our professionals about our maintenance services.

We Can Address Any Air Conditioning Concerns You Have

Whether you’re dealing with frozen air conditioning equipment or are having another problem with your system, our HL Bowman professionals are here to resolve it for you. We are the most trusted and reputable heating, cooling, and plumbing company in the Harrisburg, PA, area and are always ready to assist when you need us. Reach out to us today by calling 717-561-1206 or request service online.