Although most air conditioners see their heaviest use during the hot summer months, it is still possible for a central or window air conditioning unit to freeze up during these months. Unfortunately, the solution isn’t quite as simple as just physically removing the ice in your AC system. To do so is treating the symptom and not the underlying cause, and it probably won’t permanently unfreeze your unit. There are a variety of causes of this problem, all of which will dictate how you go about solving it. However, before you even begin to diagnose or repair the problem, the first thing you have to do is thaw the ice. To thaw an air conditioner unit, turn the entire unit off. Deactivate the breakers so that the circuits do not short out during the thawing process. WARNING: This is a very important step. The unit must be off and its breakers as well. Water and electrical appliances do not mix. As the air conditioner thaws, water will drip and leak from the unit itself.

To prevent the thawing water from creating a mess, fix a trash bag or bucket underneath the air conditioner unit. Monitor this carefully over the next couple of hours as the ice melts. Once the ice has melted, allow the air conditioner unit to dry for 24 hours. Be careful that the unit is entirely dry before operating it again. There are several potential causes of freezing in an air conditioner unit. The filters, cooling coils, and fins all may be completely or partially responsible. In order to ensure that your air conditioner does not continue to freeze in the future, examine each of these component pieces for maintenance needs. Filters that are worn out or dirty may contribute to freezing in an air conditioner. Check to see if the filters are broken or need to be replaced. Typically, you should plan on cleaning or replacing the filters in your air conditioner unit every two to three months. Test them to ensure that air can flow through them with ease. The cooling coils in the air conditioner unit, also known as evaporator coils, are also potential contributors to freezing units.

Essentially, the coil evaporates heat from the inside of the unit to the outside of the air conditioner system. By removing this heat, the coil lowers its temperature, and in conjunction with your AC’s coolant, this is the component that actually gets cold and allows your system to blow cool air.should i cover ac unit in winter Because of either poor airflow within the unit, which can stem from the filter problem mentioned above, or a lack of coolant, the evaporator coil can overcool itself to the point of creating condensation, which eventually freezes into the ice.good ac unit brands To treat the cooling coils, clean any dirt off of them carefully. how does a rv ac unit workAs you do this, be careful not to bend any of the cooling fins that are attached.

The cooling fins work in harmony with the evaporator coil. The fins are electric or mechanical. They are just physical structures that increase surface area for heat transfer within the unit. In the case of an air conditioner, the fins provide more surface area for heat to travel along and it moves away from the cooling coil and out of the unit and into the atmosphere. Assuming the fins aren’t broken, the best way to treat them is to use a vacuum cleaner to thoroughly clean the fins. Examine the air conditioner fans to ensure that they are working properly as well. If you’ve ruled out other potential causes, it may be time to test the coolant levels, as this is a frequent cause of air conditioner freezing. Unfortunately many local regulations will not let an individual deal with refrigerant, and it may be necessary to contact a professional maintenance person or air conditioner technician to test and replace the coolant in your air conditioner. However, you can test and replace your air conditioner's Freon on your own, assuming local regulations allow it.

If any of these component pieces of the air conditioner do not seem to be functioning adequately, investigate whether they may be maintained at home or whether it is beneficial to hire an air conditioner technician. Thoroughly examining and maintaining your conditioner will decrease the chances of repeat freeze ups in the future.Living in Corpus Christi means you have easy access to the Gulf Coast. With the ocean so close by, you can enjoy the day on a boat, walk along the beach, surf, or go fishing. However, living near the beach means the salt air can cause damage to your home including your air conditioning unit. Living near the ocean causes a few problems unique to the region. Salt air corrodes machinery, in part by attracting moisture. This moisture, in turn, contributes to the early deterioration of the coils and other components within the HVAC system. Studies show that aluminum and steel corrode significantly faster in the salty air, significantly shortening the lifespan of most outdoor metals.

In air conditioning units, condenser coils are typically made of copper tubes with aluminum fins that disperse heat quickly. Because of the salt air, these fins degrade quickly in coastal climates. The closer you are to the ocean, the greater damage the salt may do to your unit. Living on the coast can lead to other problems as well. Our soils are sandy, leading to dust and sand getting into our units. With our warm, humid climate, people often run air conditioning units almost all year-round, continuously drawing our salt air into the units. And because of the potential for tropical storms and hurricanes, our outdoor units may sustain damage from hail, the wind, and falling tree limbs. AC maintenance for coastal residents How can Corpus Christi residents delay or prevent some of the damage to air conditioning units? Here are some things you can do: Keep your air filters clean. Filters provide your first line of defense for maintaining your HVAC system. A quality filter can capture much of the dust and salt in the air, keeping it out of your unit.

During times of heavy use (or if you have pets,) you should change your filters at least once a month.You can rinse the coils and fan blades in your outside unit with a hose to keep salt from building up and contributing to corrosion. Maintain a clear area around the outside unit. Experts recommend a two- to three-foot perimeter around the outside condenser unit. Rake dead leaves and make sure to mow your grass. The build-up of organic debris or an overgrowth of plants can block your unit’s airflow and keep it from functioning properly. Consider purchasing AC units made with low-corrosive parts. Some units/brands are better suited for coastal climates and utilize special coatings and connectors that are less likely to be affected by salt air. Always check your unit after major storms. Remove downed tree limbs, leaves, and other debris that may have gotten trapped on or inside the unit itself. You can even hose it down to remove sand that high winds may have blown into interior nooks and crannies.