The requested URL /vbb/showthread.php?1068621-Brand-new-central-AC-freezing-canNOT-find-cause was not found on this server.On a hot 95+ degree day, no one wants to deal with melted ice cream. That’s why we have air conditioning! Hot weather here in Austin means trips to Barton Springs, bike rides, and cookouts on the patio with tall iced beverages. It’s all fun in the sun until your air conditioning goes out. Below we’ll take a look at some of the most common AC problems and offer some tips for basic air conditioner troubleshooting. Air conditioning systems cool air using an evaporator coil within your inside AC unit. Inside the coil is a refrigerant such as Freon that cools down the coil. The AC unit draws in warm air and blows it over the coil, where the refrigerant absorbs the heat and the newly chilled air is sent back into your home. The hot refrigerant is cycled outside your home to the compressor unit where it transfers the heat outside, and then gets condensed and returned back into the inside unit.

If your air conditioning unit stops blowing cold air, it’s a great idea to try some basic troubleshooting before calling for a repair. It could be that the cause of the problem is simple enough for you to fix on your own.If there’s little to no air getting to the unit, the condensation on the evaporator coils will freeze up. The first thing to do is to check your air filters. If they’re dirty, you’ve likely found the culprit, as this can cause the unit to freeze up. Next, check the evaporator coil within your indoor unit. Turn off your AC at the thermostat and then remove the front panel of the unit. If there’s frost on the coils inside, that’s what’s causing your unit to malfunction. Usually, this problem can be easily resolved by turning off the unit long enough for the coils to defrost, usually about 90 minutes. Run the fan to help speed the process and keep air moving, but the “cool” setting should not be engaged on your thermostat during this time.

Unit leaking Freon can freeze up due to lower pressure within the system. To resolve this particular issue, you will need to get a certified HVAC company to add more Freon and fix the leak. Depending on the location and nature of the leak, however, it could be a sign that the unit needs to be replaced. Monitor your AC performance after any such maintenance, and if it happens again, it might mean it’s time for a new unit. Clean out the condensate drain. When AC units run, they not only lower the inside air temperature but also remove humidity. This moisture then drains through a small pipe to the outside. Over time, algae or insects seeking moisture can clog this drain, and that in turn causes your unit to shut down. You can pour a mixture of equal parts water and household bleach into the drain pan to clean out the line. Check the compressor outside. When the A/C unit kicks on, the outdoor compressor should start to run, and you should hear the motor and be able to see the fan turning inside.

If it isn’t running, check your unit for a reset or overload switch (not all have them).why does my ac unit make noise You can also try spinning the fan blades clockwise with a screwdriver. how to clean air conditioner unit coilsIf it’s not working, you may have a faulty capacitor that will need to be replaced. removing a window ac unitIt’s also possible that the unit has shorted out due to an animal climbing inside the unit. A professional HVAC technician will need to inspect the unit if it’s not turning on. If you’ve run through our list of AC troubleshooting tips and can’t resolve your problem, it’s time to call out professionals to inspect your AC unit. At ABC Home and Commercial Services Austin, we can send out experienced HVAC staff to provide all necessary servicing and repairs.

Also, it’s a great idea to schedule AC tune-ups with our technicians before you run into any trouble during the busy summer season.Why Does My Air Conditioner Freeze Up? How My Phoenix HVAC Technician Job Turned into A Rewarding Career 3 Problems Your Ductless Air Conditioning System Might Run Into Why Does My Air Conditioner Freeze Up? When we see ice or frost on something we automatically think “cold”, so this must be good thing for an air conditioner, right? If your air conditioner is freezing up, or you see frost or ice on parts of your AC Unit, there is a problem and you need to call someone for air conditioner repair. So why does an air conditioner freeze up in the first place? There are a few reasons you may find ice forming on your air con unit, and in many cases, it’s a combination of a few problems that eventually lead to a frozen evaporator coil and refrigerant plumbing lines. The most common reasons for an air conditioner freeze up are: Your AC Unit Is Low on Refrigerant (Freon): When an air conditioner develops a leak in the refrigeration system, it becomes undercharged.

The evaporator coil or “indoor coil” will collect moisture from the air which will quickly freeze on the cold coil. If the unit is allowed to keep running more moisture builds and more ice forms.To read more articles related to refrigerant, and leaks, visit our Blog page and search the term “Freon” in the search tool in the right hand column. Restricted or Lack of Airflow: When there is insufficient air moving across an air conditioners evaporator, the moisture buildup described above will cause the coil to freeze. Things that cause a lack of airflow across a coil are; a dirty air filter, a non-functioning or “slow” indoor blower fan motor, restricted or undersized air ducts, or long-term dirt buildup on the coil – usually due to infrequent filter changes or using cheap air filters. Malfunctioning Metering Device: If your ac unit is less than 15 years old, it probably has a metering device known as a TXV (Thermostatic Expansion Valve). Think of a TXV as a traffic light for refrigerant – it controls the flow of refrigerant through the system.

A malfunctioning or “sticky” metering device can cause frost to build up on components of your HVAC system. Ambient Temperature Too Low: While most modern air conditioners are equipped with sensors that can automatically shut-off the compressor if the outdoor air temperature is too low (below about 60 degrees Fahrenheit), not all do, or the sensors themselves can malfunction. Running you’re A/C when it’s too cold outside can cause a freeze-up. A Combination of Problems: When an air conditioner is slightly undercharged (low on refrigerant aka “Freon”), say 1 or 2 pounds’ low, you may not even notice at first. Combine that undercharge with a slightly restricted air filter or a sometimes sticking TXV and both problems happening together may be enough to cause ice buildup and in short time a completely frozen air conditioner coil. What Should I Do When My Air Conditioner Is Already Frozen Up? Now that you know why your AC unit is freezing up, here’s what you should do:

Turn Your AC Unit Off Immediately: It’s not going to get better or fix itself so the first thing you should do is turn your air conditioner thermostat to the OFF position. Turning your thermostat off will not only allow the ice to thaw, it will prevent damage to other components – specifically the AC compressor. Check/Replace Your Air Filter: A very clogged air filter can cause your air conditioner to freeze up. Is it very dirty? If YES – After your unit is completely thawed out (NOTE: This may take several hours or even a whole day), put in a new air filter and try turning the unit back on, and go to step number three. If NO – Unless you were in fact running the air conditioner when the outdoor air temperature was below 60 degrees Fahrenheit as we discussed above, it’s time to call a licensed air conditioning company to diagnose which of the above problems caused the ice-up. Check Your Airflow – Is It Blowing as Hard as Usual? If YES – Most likely the dirty filter was the cause of the problem.

Keep an eye on the equipment for a few hours / days and make sure no more ice appears. If no ice appears, congratulations your problem is most likely fixed – change your filters more often! If ice does appear, turn the unit back off and call for repair. If NO – You have another problem and need to call an AC Contractor for further diagnosis and repair. Schedule an Air Conditioner Repair or Tune-Up: If you’re problem was solved by following the steps above, great! We’re glad we could help! But don’t forget to have a licensed HVAC Company inspect and tune-up your AC unit at least once per year. Air conditioning equipment manufacturers have found that customers who schedule periodic maintenance have lower failure rates and warranty claims than those who do not. If you’re evaporator coil or other components are still freezing up, it’s time to schedule a repair. Magic Touch Mechanical is located in Mesa, AZ and provides air conditioner repair and replacement services throughout the Phoenix-Metropolitan Area and surrounding neighborhoods.

To check to see if we service your area, enter your zip code here. If you are outside of our service area, there are plenty of highly rated and trustworthy service companies throughout the USA and Canada. Read on for some tips on how to choose wisely. Choosing the right HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) Contractor is no different than choosing the right family doctor. You shouldn’t just call the first name that pops up in the search results. For more information about choosing the right AC Company check out these articles: Don’t choose the first air conditioning company that shows up in the search results. Tips for hiring the right contractor for the job. If your air conditioning and heating system requires extensive repairs, uses the older R-22 refrigerant aka Freon, or is more than ten years old; you may want to ask your service technician about doing a repair vs. replace comparison with you. A good company will “advise” you, not “sell” you, and allow you to weigh out the options to determine what’s best for your family and budget.