When the temperature outside soars, you rely on your air conditioner to keep you cool. However, like any major component, issues can arise at any moment. While an AC unit can encounter various problems, one of the most common is an air conditioner freezing up.
Discovering your AC unit is frozen is a frustrating experience that can happen at any point throughout the year and can be caused by several different reasons. Below, we’ll review six of the most common reasons why air conditioner units freeze and how Design Mechanical’s commercial HVAC services can get your air conditioning unit back up and running.
6 Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner Unit is Frozen
Here are six of the most common causes of your air conditioning freezing up.
Low Refrigerant
The most common cause of AC units freezing is often the result of low refrigerant.
Refrigerant is a liquid that cools the air before it enters your business, and your AC unit needs a certain amount of it to function correctly. However, if your system is low on refrigerant or has a refrigerant leak, your air conditioner will struggle to get your building to the desired temperature. As a result, ice can begin to form on your air conditioning system causing nearby water vapor to freeze on the coil’s surface.
Additionally, it’s important to note that if your refrigerant levels cause the unit to freeze, the evaporator coils within the unit may become damaged, causing the compressor to fail. A faulty AC unit compressor can be costly to repair or replace, often resulting in the purchase of a new air conditioning unit, so it’s critical to have this inspected by a professional as soon as possible.
Low Airflow
Poor airflow is another common cause of your AC unit freezing up.
In an air conditioning system, airflow is critical. Warm air must circulate through the unit to keep the coils cool. If there isn’t enough warm air, the compressor within the unit will keep running, resulting in the coils freezing over with water and could result in damaged air ducts and other costly repairs.
Poor airflow can be caused by various factors, such as dirty air filters, which act as a muzzle to the unit. Regardless of why your AC unit is struggling with adequate airflow, contacting an HVAC specialist is the best way to correct the issue.
Clogged/Dirty Air Filter
Another reason your AC unit may be freezing is due to the air intake filter becoming dirty or clogged.
The air filter in your AC system does a lot of work. While it may appear to be a small component, the air filter is in charge of filtering dust, debris, and other contaminants from your air conditioning system before it is distributed throughout your facility. However, air filters quickly accumulate debris and must be changed regularly to ensure adequate airflow throughout the system.
Even if your AC system is working correctly, a lack of airflow through your filters can make your facility uncomfortable. Be sure to replace the air filters within your HVAC system every one to three months. By changing your air filter, you can prevent your air conditioning components from freezing and improve the overall quality of your indoor air.
Evaporator Coil Blockages
The evaporator coils in your air conditioning system work to remove excess moisture, keeping your facility from becoming humid. However, the evaporator coils in your air conditioning system, like the air filter, can become clogged with dust and debris because they are usually wet from the surrounding moisture. As a result, this can obstruct airflow throughout your system and cause your air conditioner to freeze.
Blower Motor Malfunction
The blower motor and fan assist in blowing air over the coils in the HVAC system, which aids in the creation of cool air. When this fan stops working, cool air will not come out of your vents, resulting in a frozen AC unit.
If the fan stops blowing, whether due to the motor or the run capacitor of the blower motor, the air does not flow quickly enough over the coils. When the air stops flowing, the coils begin to freeze.
A broken blower motor can cause issues with your entire heating and cooling system. If you suspect your blower motor isn’t working correctly, contact an HVAC specialist immediately. They can ensure a thorough inspection of your system and recommend the best course of action to ensure that it runs smoothly.
Drainage Problems
Lastly, in humid climates, a large amount of water vapor condenses within the air conditioning system. When the air is hot, humid air blows across the evaporator coil, and the coil removes both heat and moisture from the air.
Under normal conditions, the water drips into a pan and drains through a floor drain. However, if there is a blockage, the backed-up water freezes all the way back to the evaporator coil, clogging the drain and exacerbating the problem.
Contact Design Mechanical for Professional HVAC Solutions
While discovering a frozen AC system can be inconvenient and disrupt your daily operations, the problems that cause it are avoidable. As a result, it’s critical that you don’t skip out on routine maintenance and tune-ups to keep your HVAC system running efficiently.
Whether you’re dealing with frozen air conditioning equipment or another problem with your commercial HVAC system, the experts at Design Mechanical are here to help.
At Design Mechanical, we’re committed to providing quick and dependable commercial HVAC services to ensure maximum safety, welfare, and comfort for our customers. With a team of over 100 certified HVAC service specialists on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and a wide range of HVAC services, you can be confident that your facility’s HVAC system is always functioning as expected.
To learn more about how we can help, schedule a free consultation with Design Mechanical today to speak with one of our specialists and discover how commercial HVAC services can keep your systems running efficiently all year round.