2 Common Reasons Your A/C Freezes Up
![frozen A/C coils inside an air conditioner](https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210516015145im_/https://media.angi.com/s3fs-public/styles/widescreen_large/public/frozen ac unit.jpg?itok=iknApx8q)
3 pros!
Protect your A/C unit in the summer heat by looking out for these common causes of freeze.
We all know the drill during summer months. It gets really, really hot. We crank down the thermostat and send our air conditioner into overdrive to try and keep us cool. Everything is great until your air conditioner freezes up. And a frozen A/C unit can ruin a hot summer day very fast.
How does an A/C freeze even seem possible? How can a A/C unit freeze when it’s working around the clock in 100-degree weather? There are two fairly common reasons for homeowners to know about A/C freeze. And trust us, it happens a lot. This is probably the most common problem we end up addressing.
![dirty air filter next to clean air filter](https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210516015145im_/https://media.angi.com/styles/half_width_with_auto_height/s3/s3fs-public/AirFilter.jpg?itok=GGQqczYP)
A dirty air filter like the one on the left is often the cause of a frozen air conditioner. (Photo courtesy of Champion AC)
Problem 1: Blocked air flow
The first potential problem of a frozen air conditioner is typically the air flow in your home. When your home’s air flow is restricted, there’s no air moving through the air conditioning system to keep the condensate on the coil from freezing. The culprit is usually a dirty air filter. This is a simple problem to prevent.
Best advice? Set reminders to regularly change your air filters, and get two A/C tune-ups each year to keep your system clean and efficient. Earlier in the season is better for maintenance, before HVAC contractors get busy with service calls.
How to fix air flow when A/C freezes up?
If your air conditioner freezes up due to an air flow issue, first thing to do is switch it off to start the defrosting process. Next thing you should do is turn on the fan. Let it run for 60 to 90 minutes. Check and change your air filter during this time. After that, turn your air conditioner back to cool and it should start working again.
Problem 2. Refrigerant leaks
If air flow isn't the concern, then there’s the issue of refrigerant leaks. This is another common cause of your A/C freezing up. Whenever you're leaking Freon or other coolant, it’s a decision point for homeowners. When you have a leak, it’s best to either get it fixed or invest in a new A/C, depending on the age of your current system.
Yes, you can get an HVAC company to top off your coolant and get your system up and running again. However, it’s a temporary fix — and there’s no telling how long it will last. It could go a couple of months or a couple of weeks or a couple of hours before your A/C is frozen again.
RELATED: Troubleshooting Common A/C Problems
If you suspect a leak, contact a professional HVAC company as soon as possible. Let a licensed technician pinpoint and repair the A/C issue before it causes any other headaches.
Have you had problems with A/C freezing up? Tell us about it in the comments below.
Editor's note: This is an updated version of an article originally posted on Sept. 16, 2014.
About this Experts Contributor: Ben Hubbert is the owner of Champion AC, an air conditioning and heating company in San Antonio. He's a retired Combat Controller with the United States Air Force. You can follow this contributor on Google+. For more information, check out their company website.
As of July 23, 2015, this service provider was highly rated on Angie's List. Ratings are subject to change based on consumer feedback, so check Angie's List for the most up-to-date reviews. The views expressed by this author do not necessarily reflect those of Angie's List.