Air conditioning systems play a major role in our lives especially in the hot months of the summertime. It is important to maintain a properly working air conditioning system so that once summer comes it is working well. Many homeowners take the proper steps to maintain their unit each season but there is still one problem that can occur during the hot summer months: Freezing. An air conditioner can freeze up easily in the summer time especially if temperatures are hotter than normal. There are many different factors that can cause a unit to freeze up and below we will discuss why this happens and what you can do to prevent it from happening. Airflow is a major factor that can attribute to a freezing problem. The airflow of your unit should never be restricted and if it does become blocked then it can cause the evaporator coils to become dirty and this will cause the coils to drop to below freezing temperatures. The coils will then collect humidity from the air and then the coils will freeze.

It is important to keep this from happening so make sure you change your air filters regularly and keep an eye out for dirty coils. Refrigerant is another important factor with an AC unit. The refrigerant is what helps the unit provide cool air throughout the home. If the unit is running low on refrigerant then the unit can freeze up. If you are getting low on charge you will need to contact a professional to level out the amount you have. Another problem is the outdoor temperature. If you run your air conditioning on a moderately cool day it can freeze up. Air conditioning systems are usually not created to work in outdoor temperatures of under sixty degrees, so when the weather dips, turn off the AC. These are just a few important steps that homeowners should take to keep their air conditioning unit from freezing up. It is important to have your unit inspected every year, especially around the summer time, when you unit will be working the hardest. When you have your unit inspected, speak with the technician.

Ask him to explain to you what to look for when it comes to freezing and how you can prevent it. This way, you will be well prepared if you come across a freezing problem and hopefully you will be able to handle it!How to Fix a Freezing Air Conditioner When you notice ice building up on your air conditioner, it's never a good sign. Freezing occurs when condensed water isn't evaporated away from the cold coil inside the air conditioner. There are several reasons this could occur, so do some troubleshooting before you contact a technician or attempt to repair the problem.ac unit data sheet Let the Air Conditioner RestSwitch your air conditioner off or put it on fan mode to give the unit a rest and allow the coils to fully defrost. ac unit cleaning costThe bulb that senses the coil temperature normally turns off the compressor when coils drop below 36 degrees to prevent freezing. new air conditioning unit tax credit

Sometimes when an AC unit is put on its highest setting, this feature is disabled and the coils can ice up. You may be able to avoid freezing by changing this setting. Look for leaking refrigerant dripping from your air conditioner. When there isn't enough refrigerant, the evaporator coil will not work properly and moisture will build up in the system. A professional will need to come to your home to recharge the unit and can also help determine where there is a leak. Clear the Air Flow Check for obstructions like dirt on the unit or damage to the vents. Clean or change the filter, scrub the exterior and remove dust using a vacuum to remove dirt that could be restricting airflow. If the fan still isn't blowing enough air over the coils to keep them dry, the fan motor or capacitor might need to be repaired or replaced. Examine Other Important Components There are several other essential parts that could be causing an issue. Check your unit's liquid line for a clogged filter or strainer, which can cause premature expansion.

If the unit has a thermal expansion valve, it may need to be readjusted. You might also want to readjust the evaporator pressure regulator. If the pressure is too low, moisture will be left in the system and could freeze. A stuck compressor contact could also be preventing your system from shutting off automatically, causing the unit to become overworked. Compare BTUs and Room Size Ask an HVAC expert or compare your square footage to the BTU output to determine if your unit is up to the task of cooling your home. Your air conditioner may not be powerful enough to cool the space that you have, which means it's working constantly. Frost could be forming because the unit is overworked and extra moisture is continually forming. Learn more about AC units in the air conditioner buying guideSometimes even the best thermostat can only help so much. You can choose energy efficient temperatures and follow the Leaf every day, but if your ducts are leaking or your filters are clogged, you won’t get the energy savings you were hoping for this summer.

So this week we asked our HVAC advisors - the amazing heating and cooling professionals who were invaluable in helping to create Nest - to tell us what you can do to make sure your cooling system is helping you save energy: 1. Change your filter - Changing the filter is the simplest, most inexpensive thing you can do to make sure your system is running efficiently. John Beagan of HVAC Automation in Sharon, MA, explains why a clogged filter can add 5-10% to your cooling bills. “If you have dirty, blocked filters, you won’t get any airflow to air condition the house. That’s not good for your energy bill because your compressor will be running continually trying to get the house cool. And anytime air can’t move through your ducts you run the chance of freezing your coils. If that happens, you’ll end up with a big block of ice on your air conditioner. “I recommend changing the filter every year and checking semi-annually - pets and open windows and doors can contribute to getting it dirty.

Just take it out and put it up to a light. It starts off white, so if you can see through it it’s fine, but if there’s a problem, you’ll know it.” 2. Make sure your vents are open and unblocked - Russ Donnici of Mechanical Air Service in San Jose, CA knows that sometimes people close some vents in the winter to avoid heating rooms that no one’s in, but come summertime it’s important to keep the air flowing. “Sometimes people close their registers to try to divert heat. But in cooling mode, it’s more important to keep the air moving. Any time you restrict the airflow there’s the possibility of the cooling coil freezing and damaging your compressor. You also want to make sure you don’t have any furniture obstructing any vents.” And while you’re looking at your vents, keep an eye out for a big accumulation of dirt and dust. Josh Kahn of Kahn Mechanical in Dallas, TX says that can be a sign of a bigger problem with your system. “Often the return air grille will collect dust, and can simply be vacuumed clean.