If you have your AC suddenly stop producing cool air for you, there are a few easy things you want to look into in order to try troubleshooting the situation. You can check the thermostat to make sure you have the system set correctly, check the fuse to make sure none of the fuses have tripped, check to make sure the registers are still open, and check to make sure the filter is clean and not so full of gunk the air isn't able to pull air back into the system. If you check all of these things and you can't find the problem, then there is a good chance that the unit has frozen. You can learn more about a frozen air conditioner right here.
What happens when the air conditioner freezes?
When the evaporator coil inside of the motor unit gets too dirty, it can cause a lacking in the amount of air flow that goes across it. This will cause the temperature to drop and lead to the air conditioning unit freezing up. It's important to note that a dirty evaporator coil can also lead to other issues, such as the AC putting out air that smells similar to that of a dirty sock, and this is why it's important to have your system routinely serviced. Not only can a central air conditioner freeze up, but so can any type, such as a window AC.
Another reason your air conditioner may be freezing up is due to it not having a proper amount of air flow. This may be a sign that you aren't staying on top of your air filter. It needs to be cleaned or replaced once dust and other particles clog the filter. Some homes can get away with cleaning the filter every few months. But, a lot of factors can come in to play that can cause yours to need much more attention than this. If you have a lot of furry pets, if someone smokes in the house, if a lot of dust comes in from outside, or if you have other issues such as someone who comes home in very dirty work uniforms every day, then you will of course need to check your filter much more often to keep the unit working efficiently.
Not only will an air conditioner that is currently frozen not cool properly, but it can also become seriously damaged if it is allowed to keep freezing up on a regular basis without the underlying issue being taken care of to prevent those future freeze ups. If you have your AC unit freeze up on you, then you want to turn it off completely. Don't try it again until you know it has unfrozen, giving it at least a few hours, or longer depending on how hot it is on that day. Then. You should also call a tech out to find the underlying issue and fix it for you.
For more information, contact your local air conditioning repair services.
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