Air conditioner issues come in many different forms, some of which are more obvious than others. One of the more common air conditioner issues that often gets misconstrued is the presence of ice on the coils of the system. Air conditioner ice may seem harmless, but it is actually an indication of a serious problem with the system. If your air conditioner has ice on it, you should call for repairs as soon as possible. Read on to find out more about why ice forms on an air conditioner, and what you can do to prevent it from happening to yours.
The Causes of Air Conditioner Ice
Air conditioner ice can be caused by a couple different issues, both of which contribute to the same core problem. The air filter is a part of the air conditioner that protects the system from the various contaminants and such that are commonly found in the home’s ductwork. If the air filter is not changed every few months or so, it will become clogged and block most of the air from entering the system. The air handler is the part of the system that circulates air throughout the home during operation. If the air handler malfunctions, the system won’t be able to circulate air through itself properly. Either of these issues can cause the air conditioner to ice over by depriving the evaporator coil of hot air flow.
The evaporator coil relies on the constant flow of hot air over it while the air conditioner is operating, in order to maintain the temperature balance directly around it. Without that air flow, the temperature around the coil will drop until the condensate on it freezes. This is what causes the air conditioner to ice over.
Why Air Conditioner Ice Is a Significant Problem
Air conditioner ice is a problem for a number of reasons. First, it prevents the system from siphoning heat from the air around it. Your air conditioner won’t be able to cool your home properly while the coil is iced over. Second, it enables all kinds of other issues that can crop up elsewhere in the air conditioner. For example, if the coil can’t evaporate refrigerant properly because of the ice, there’s a chance that liquid refrigerant will make it into the compressor. The compressor will then break, because it’s not designed to compress liquid of any kind. The ice can also spread down the refrigerant line to other parts of the system, causing them to break down. So, if you notice ice on your air conditioner, you should call for repairs as soon as possible. Otherwise, you may end up having to pay much higher repair bills later on.
If your air conditioner is in need of any kind of repairs, contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our professional technicians. We’ll make sure that your air conditioner finishes the summer strong.