Proudly Serving West Michigan & Mid Michigan
(616) 207-4097Under normal conditions, your air conditioner delivers cool, refreshing air without turning into an ice machine. A frozen AC is a sign that the cooling cycle has been disrupted. You might notice dripping water or weak, warm airflow. The friendly, knowledgeable technicians at Service Professor can get things running again if there’s ice inside your AC unit, but it’s useful to understand why freezing may happen in the first place.
What Causes Ice Inside an Air Conditioner
An air conditioner has two sets of coils with refrigerant running through them: indoor evaporator coils and outdoor condenser coils. When the evaporator coils get too cold, the moisture freezes and creates a layer of ice inside the AC unit.
A properly functioning AC keeps your home comfortable during our humid Michigan summers by:
- Drawing warm indoor air into the unit
- Blowing the warm air over the evaporator coils, where refrigerant absorbs the heat
- Distributing the cooled air throughout your home
- Moving the hot refrigerant gas to the condenser coils, where the heat is released outdoors
This process relies on a careful temperature and pressure balance. If there’s not enough warm air circulating over the evaporator coils or the refrigerant isn’t absorbing heat, temperatures inside the air conditioner can drop to the freezing point.
Clogged Air Filters
To cool your home, the AC unit draws in and filters warm air. The filters stop dust and particles from entering the unit, but if they get too dirty, they also prevent air from flowing over the evaporator coils.
You should change the air filters every few months to maintain good airflow. If there’s ice in your AC unit, check the filters and swap out the dirty ones to see if that solves the problem.
Malfunctioning Blower Fan
Air conditioners have blower fans that direct indoor air over the evaporator coils. If the fan’s motor isn’t working properly, there won’t be enough warm air reaching the coils, causing a temperature drop. A trained HVAC professional can inspect the motor and repair or replace it if necessary.
Dirty Evaporator Coils
Dirt can build up on evaporator coils, interfering with heat exchange. This throws off the temperature around the coils, putting the unit at risk of ice buildup. HVAC technicians typically clean and inspect the inside of units during annual AC tune-ups, which can help extend the life of your air conditioner. If you’re due for a maintenance visit, give Service Professor a call.
Low Refrigerant
The pressure inside the evaporator coils can drop if there’s not enough coolant, interfering with heat exchange. As a result, the temperature around the coils becomes colder than it should be.
Only trained professionals should handle refrigerants. If you’re in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo or Grand Ledge, your local Service Professor technician can check coolant levels or look for a leak.
Getting a Frozen AC Running Again
You might be tempted to chip at the ice inside your AC unit, but this can damage sensitive components. It’s best to turn off the air conditioner so the ice can melt naturally. Check if dirty air filters may be causing freezing.
If the problem persists, the HVAC experts at Service Professor can inspect the unit to see why there’s ice. We also recommend annual spring AC tune-ups to help your unit run smoothly all summer.
