Indoor air conditioner units are often part of a switch-unit with a built-in furnace. In ideal operation conditions, an air conditioner unit produces a constant flow of cool air to the home. The air is cooled via a refrigerant agent known as coolant, which is pumped through the unit through a system of tubes and pipes. When the unit is functioning properly, there is no build up or accumulation, but there are issues which can crop up that lead to the unit building up ice and freezing as opposed to cooling the home. Filters Air conditioners and furnaces rely on airflow to push the air through the vents that cool and heat a home. In both cases, the filters on the outside of the unit are there to ensure proper airflow and restrict debris from entering the unit. If these filters ever become blocked, the restricted airflow leads to ice building up inside of the air conditioner because it isn’t being cycled out into the vents fast enough. The longer this goes on, the more ice that builds up, until the point the unit completely freezes.

For best results, always clean the air filters every few months. Evaporator Coils Evaporator coils in an air conditioner are there to help with heat exchange, absorbing heat that needs to be cooled down. The evaporator coils are filled with the coolant from the air conditioner, and cool the air that passes through. ac units that run on natural gasOver time, these coils collect dust and debris just like the air filters. what ton unit for acAs this debris builds up, the effectiveness of the unit is compromised. mini split unit air conditioning systemOver time as more dirt accumulates, the coils no longer function properly, and rather than cooling off the air, they begin to build up frost and freeze. Clean the coils every few months for best results.

Refrigerant Issues When everything within an air conditioner is working perfectly, the coolant in the reservoir lasts a lifetime and beyond, as they are built to last, not to leak, and the coolant is continually recycled without ever being used up. However, leaks can occur, either through faulty installation or through breakdown of other components within the interior over time. When low levels of coolant occur, ice buildup and freezing can occur as the unit tries to work overtime to produce cooler air. Leaking coolant is also another cause of ice buildup and eventual freezing of the unit. Having a licensed technician inspect the unit and repair the leak/refill the coolant reservoir is the only option. Outside Temperature Air conditioners work best in temperatures above 60 degrees. If the exterior temperatures are too low, the coils within the unit are colder than they would be in summer/hot weather, which leads to the air conditioner coils refrigerating the room air, rather than just the air within the unit itself.

This leads to ice buildup and freezing. The problem tends to be more prevalent at night than during the daytime hours and is easily solved by simply switching the unit to “Fan” mode to let it circulate the cold air until the ice melts away. Photo Credits Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionThere is ice on my AC unit. May 26, 2012   Subscribe So my air conditioning is not blowing cold air. I go to the basement to check the unit, and there is about a half-inch of ice on the main pipe leading out of the unit. If the air conditioning coils in your home's unit have fallen victim to ice buildup, you'll have trouble getting your house properly cooled. Incorporating the aid of an air conditioning specialist can sometimes be costly, so before placing that call, make an effort to tackle this job on your own. Fortunately, provided the problem isn't indicative of something more serious, you can take care of the issue in just a few simple steps. Step 1 - Prep Your Air Conditioner

Before proceeding to remove the ice from the coils, you will need to turn off your AC unit and disconnect it from its power source. Allow it to sit for several minutes, and you'll be ready to give the surrounding area a good looking-over. If you find any leakage or stains on the unit, your air conditioner will likely need to be looked at by a repair specialist. Leaks are often caused by low refrigerant levels and should only be tackled by someone well-versed in these machines. If you're find nothing out of the ordinary upon inspection, you may proceed with the next step. Step 2 - Allow the Ice to Melt Keep the device turned off and disconnected to allow the ice to melt naturally. If it is warm enough for your AC to be active, this shouldn't take long. Step 3 - Clean Your Coils Now that the ice buildup has melted away, it's time to give the coils a good cleaning. Start by donning a pair of gloves and spraying the formerly ice-laden coils with a commercial coil cleaner.

Next, use a scrub brush or expendable toothbrush to administer a vigorous scrubbing, making sure to purge any caked-on dirt deposits. Excessive dirt on your coils is a major cause of ice formation, so when performing this step, make a point of being very thorough. Once the coils have been successfully cleaned, spray them with a warm water-filled spray bottle in order to remove any remaining traces of the cleaner. Take a clean cloth and wipe the freshly cleaned coils dry. Do not reconnect your AC unit to its power source or proceed to reuse the device until all the moisture is gone. Step 4 - Keep Your Air Conditioning Coils Ice-free Preventing ice buildup in the first place is the best way to ensure your AC doesn't run into frequent problems. Assuming your unit hasn't sprung a leak, the best way to avoid frozen coils is to abstain from running the air when the temperature is cool outside. Additionally, take care to give the coils periodic cleanings in order to avoid ice formation caused by excess filth.