If you have ever experienced a frozen air conditioning system, you know the symptoms. The house is too warm. Water may be dripping from the ceiling. Sometimes you can hear the system running, but there is no cool air coming out of the vents. Ice and frost have built up in your air conditioning system, rendering it all but useless.
Yes, you may know what the problem looks like, but how about what causes it? Or better yet, how to fix it? Well, for that, read on.
Dirt
The most common cause of a frozen air conditioning system in Hagerstown is a dirty air filter. Clean or replace the filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Turn the air conditioning system off, and just run the fan. This will help thaw the ice and get things running again.
It could also be that the cooling coil or evaporator coil is dirty. In this case, air flow will gradually decrease over time, but you may not notice until the system freezes up. If the coil is dirty, or if the system freezes again after replacing the filter, call a professional.
Low Refrigerant
Your air conditioning system is a closed loop, so refrigerant is meant to stay within the system without needing to be replaced or replenished. Over time, though, the AC system can develop leaks, which can cause freezing problems. Common culprits that can lead to a refrigerant leak include:
- Friction against the piping
- Open valves
- Weak solder joints, or
- Loose fittings
The only way to correctly diagnose and repair a refrigerant leak is to have a certified Hagerstown air conditioning technician inspect it for himself.
Needs Repair
Finally, the problem could be that some part of the AC system is defective, faulty or otherwise in need of repair. The blower motor or the attached relay may not be working properly, which can cause freezing. When this happens, professional repair is the only recourse.
Now that you are able to figure what is causing your AC system to freeze up, go ahead and get it fixed, so you can stop dealing with the dripping ceiling and start enjoying the nice, cool air. Call Larry & Sons today if you need any air conditioning repair in the Hagerstown area!
