Has your air conditioner stopped functioning? One of the more common reasons your AC could stop working is because the unit has frozen up. Yes, as surprising and ironic as it may sound, an AC can freeze up, even in the hot summer months.

Not many Woodridge homeowners are aware of this problem or how to prevent it. But an air conditioner freeze up can turn your relaxing summer afternoon into a blistering-hot melting pot fairly quickly.

In this post, we’re going to discuss some of the major reasons why your air conditioner is freezing up, and what you can do to prevent it:

1. Adequate Airflow

An AC unit needs proper airflow to keep the evaporator coil warm enough so that it doesn’t freeze. Warm air coming out of the house is important to maintain a certain cooling temperature, preventing the coil from freezing.

A freeze-up can also be caused by a faulty fan. A good indicator for a malfunctioning fan is if your fan is making rattling noises, or if your fan is propelling slower than usual, or not moving at all. Condensation can also build up over time on the AC coils, resulting in a freeze-up.

2. Faulty Thermostats

Placing your thermostat at a very low temperature increases the risk of frozen coils. To prevent this, try to avoid overusing or running the air conditioner when you’re not at home. Also, the temperature often drops during the night, so you might not need to keep the thermostat setting as low at night.

We recommend setting your thermostat at low levels only during heat waves or overly humid days. The bottom line is that the more you maintain a stable cooling temperature, the less likely you are to run into air conditioner freeze-up problems.

3. Clogged Air Filters

A clogged air filter is one of the major culprits for causing air conditioner issues. If the air filter is not replaced regularly, dirt and dust can build up, creating an airflow blockage. This can cause the refrigerant to freeze any humidity, moisture, or condensation present on the air conditioner coils.

The best precautionary step to prevent this is to check your air filters regularly. Also, it is recommended that you replace the air filters at least once every two months (and even more frequently if you have pets in the home).

4. Low Refrigerant Levels

Low refrigerant levels, caused by a leak, can make the evaporator coil extremely cold, causing the unit to freeze up. If you suspect this problem, it’s best to call your HVAC contractor to have this checked. A professional will be able to patch the leak and replace the refrigerant.

5. Drainage Leaks

Drainage problems are caused when the pipes and drain lines are loose, or if dirt buildup has caused a blockage. If this happens, water can begin to leak around the air conditioning unit. As a precaution, always check your pipes on humid days to ensure that water is moving through the drain system.

Have Your Air Conditioning Issues Repaired by a Woodridge Heating and Air Conditioning Company!

Are you currently dealing with any air conditioning issues in your Woodridge home? Do you want to establish a service contract with a reliable HVAC company? If so, Hearthstone Heating & Air Conditioning is ready to help.

Having been in business for nearly 25 years, we have served numerous customers throughout the Woodridge area. Regardless of your HVAC problem, we have the professional experience and personnel to help you. That’s the main reason why we’re the most trusted name in DuPage County!

Contact us today to schedule an appointment.