Is your air conditioner blowing warm air? Or is air simply not coming out at all? The culprit could be a frozen AC line. In most cases, frozen AC lines result from a malfunctioning evaporator coil. This element plays a key role in the heating and cooling process — and if it’s not working, temperatures won’t adjust properly. Not only can poor airflow damage the AC, but it’s also uncomfortable (especially during summer). Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help restore your AC:
- Make sure all supply and return air vents are open
- Check for a dirty air filter
- Assess your outdoor unit
- Call a professional HVAC technician
- Take preventative measures
Keep reading to discover what to do if your AC line is frozen.
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Make Sure All Supply and Return Air Vents Are Open
If you notice problems with airflow, the first thing you should do is check your supply and return vents. Supply vents distribute clean, conditioned air throughout your home. As this air becomes stale, it’s pulled into the return vent, where it’s reconditioned before being sent back out through the supply vent.
When these vents are closed, air won’t flow in the home. Before examining your AC, check the vents in every room and ensure they’re all open.
Check For a Dirty Air Filter
Another possible cause of limited airflow is a dirty air filter. Your air conditioner’s filters catch elements you don’t want to breathe in, such as dirt and dust. Over time, filters can become clogged, ultimately blocking air from flowing in and out. The lack of airflow can then cause the entire coil to freeze and will completely restrict any air from moving through it. The AC may need to be powered off for one to two days to allow the coil to thaw after replacing the filter to allow proper functioning of the unit. This debris can also accumulate on your AC’s evaporator coil, requiring a more serious repair. In general, air filters should be cleaned regularly (about every two weeks).
Assess Your Outdoor Unit
In addition to checking your AC, assessing the outdoor unit is a good idea. Also known as the condensing unit, it works with your interior unit to release heat outside. An issue with the outdoor unit can result in rising internal temperatures.
Overgrown Shrubs or Clogged Leaves
From leaves and twigs to shrubs and debris, there’s no shortage of outdoor elements that can accumulate around your condensing unit. When these elements get lodged inside the unit, they can block airflow. Fortunately, removing the blockage can solve the problem.
Sounds of a Broken Fan
Shrubs and leaves aren’t the only things that can impede your outdoor unit’s airflow. If the fan is broken, the unit won’t be able to properly get rid of heat — which means the internal temperature won’t go down. First, make sure the fan is spinning. If it is, check for the following sounds of a broken fan:
- Buzzing
- Rattling
- Screeching
- Hissing
- Clicking
You should schedule an air conditioner repair if you suspect your fan is broken.
Call a Professional HVAC Technician
Occasionally, you can remedy poor airflow with at-home solutions like opening vents or cleaning filters. If these methods don’t solve the problem, contact a professional HVAC technician. You likely have a broken or dirty evaporator coil on your hands.
Broken or Dirty Evaporator Coil
Inside every interior AC unit is an evaporator coil. This small tool, which is located in your unit’s blower compartment, is filled with a substance called refrigerant. As air passes over the evaporator coil, the refrigerant extracts heat, keeping your home nice and cool.
When an evaporator coil becomes dirty or breaks, it cannot sufficiently draw in heat. As a result, it becomes too cold, leading to frozen AC lines. To fix the problem, you’ll need to replace the evaporator coil. At Cooper, we offer a team of expert technicians who can examine your unit and resolve AC problems quickly. Whether your AC lines are frozen or your outdoor unit’s fan is broken, you can trust us to get the job done right the first time — all while following your scheduling needs.
Preventative Measures
Nobody wants to deal with a frozen AC line. In addition to causing problems with your air conditioner, they require professional repairs. On the bright side, there are preventative measures you can take to help ensure this issue doesn’t arise in the first place.
Change Your Furnace Filter Often
As mentioned earlier, your AC uses the filter from your furnace, and the filter is responsible for catching unwanted debris. Over time, this debris can build up inside your unit, including on your evaporator coil. To prevent this from developing into a frozen AC line, clean your furnace filters and change them often. Along with regular cleaning, you should replace the filters every 1-6 months, depending on the filter (check the details on the filters to see how often they recommend replacement).
Schedule Annual AC Maintenance
Regular maintenance is a great way to prevent AC problems before they arise. During an AC tune-up, a professional technician will evaluate your system and identify any issues, lowering the risk of breakdowns or costly repairs.
Are you looking for high-quality AC maintenance? Cooper Heating & Cooling offers a Green Club Maintenance Plan that includes two yearly tune-ups, priority scheduling, and discounts. Ultimately, our goal is to keep your system running smoothly so that you can enjoy refreshing, cool air all year round.
Is your air conditioner giving you trouble? Contact Cooper today!
Our highly trained technicians at Cooper Heating & Cooling are here to help. Our commitment to customer service, FREE estimates, and 1-year renewable labor warranties have earned us thousands of 5-star reviews.
