What to Do When Your Air Conditioner Freezes
When Ohio summer temperatures soar, the last thing you want to hassle with is a malfunctioning air conditioner, but it happens. However, not having a working cooling system can be more than just a hassle—it can be dangerous to pets and the elderly. Here are five quick tips to get your system up and running again when faced with a frozen air conditioner.
Schneller Knochelmann Plumbing, Heating & Air offers 24 hour emergency air conditioner repair when you need it. “Schnell” in German means “fast,” so no AC repair in Cincinnati or Covington has to wait with us. Contact us at 513-407-4424 for a service call!
Turn Your AC Unit Off
When faced with sweltering heat, we understand that the last thing you want to do is turn off your AC, but it is the first thing you need to do if your system is frozen. Unfortunately, if you continue to run your air conditioning system, you could damage the compressor.
Inspect Your Air Filter
After turning off your AC unit, check the quality of your air filter. A dirty filter inhibits proper airflow in your air conditioning system, causing ice to form on the coils. Frozen coils result in an inoperable AC (and a sweaty household). If you discover your air filter is the culprit to your frozen AC unit, replace it immediately. You can find most filters at your local home improvement store, and it is recommended that you change your filter every 90 days—more if you have pets or allergies.
Thaw Out Your AC
To reverse the frozen status of your AC, turn your thermostat off and your fan on. This step initiates the defrosting of your evaporator coils. This step can take a few hours to complete. The other important step in this process is to find your air handler and the frozen coils. Since your AC is thawing, expect some water runoff. Inspect your condensate pan to make sure it is draining correctly.
Test Your AC Unit
The fourth step is to check and see if your AC is back to normal functioning. Turn your thermostat back to cool and put your hand near a vent to make sure the air leaving the vent is cooler than room temperature. If it is, you are back in business!
Call an Air Conditioning Expert to Inspect Your System
It is always a good idea to contact your local AC company and schedule an inspection if your unit has frozen—especially if this is a reoccurring problem. Most air conditioning freeze-ups result from insufficient refrigerant or poor airflow to the evaporator coils. Acting on minor issues can prevent major ones.
Prevent Air Conditioning Malfunctioning with Regular Maintenance
Once you have your system operational again, it’s time to consider how you are doing with your regular air conditioning system maintenance. An AC system works hard for your comfort, which means it needs regular tune-ups and maintenance to ensure optimal performance. Regular maintenance to your AC system extends its operational life span while ensuring warranty compliance, so you are covered if costly repairs are ever needed.
Call in the experts at Schneller Knochelmann for AC repair in Cincinnati or Covington when you need it at 513-407-4424. Our licensed and skilled technicians have been providing top-rated heating and cooling services for decades. We guarantee 100% satisfaction, or you won’t pay!