Why Your Air Conditioner Has Iced Over and How to Manage It

Are you feeling the heat this summer? If you’re one of the many people who experience warm temperatures regularly, you know that dealing with hot and humid indoor air is a big challenge. We all know how hot it gets when we turn on our air conditioning.

We can even anticipate how much ice will form on our outdoor unit. But even so, many homeowners are caught off guard by an unexpected and inconvenient icing up of their AC unit.

What is Iced Over Air Conditioning?

An “iced over” air conditioning unit is the same as a frozen AC. When the outdoor unit gets below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the freon inside freezes, creating frost outside the unit. When your indoor AC unit is iced over, you’ll notice a decrease in cooling power and an increase in energy consumption.

The unit may also emit a loud buzzing noise as a sign that something is wrong. When the outdoor AC unit is iced over, the air conditioner will function, but it cannot do its job. The cold outdoor air being sucked into the house is warm, so your indoor unit has to work harder to cool it down. The increased workload on the system can cause it to overheat and break down.

Why Does Your Air Conditioner Ice Up?

Several things could cause water to build up on your outdoor AC unit. Iced-up AC units can result from too much water in the soil around the unit, incorrect installation, and several other issues. A few common reasons for an iced-up air conditioner are:

• The installation was too shallow
• The soil around the unit has too much water in it
• There’s a misalignment with the airflow
• Broken wires, a faulty capacitor, or a dirty evaporator coil

Tips to Manage Iced Over AC Units

If your outdoor AC unit is iced over, there are a few things you can do. First, let’s start by addressing the most important thing: safety. A frozen AC unit can be hazardous. As the ice builds up, it can significantly increase the unit’s weight. If the unit is attached to the house, it can pose a risk of causing structural damage. To protect yourself from injury and damage to your property, follow these steps:

• Carefully inspect the unit to identify the source of the problem.
• Look for any loose wires, broken parts, or clogged filters.
• Shut off the power to the unit.
• Be sure to shut off the circuit breaker.
• Get help from a professional.
• If you’re not confident in fixing the issue, call a professional to help you.
• Keep kids and pets away.
• An iced-up AC unit is a serious hazard, so stay safe until the issue is resolved.

Conclusion

Even if the weather outside is warm, you’ll have to deal with the heat inside your house if your AC breaks down due to iced-up equipment. Fortunately, there are ways you can avoid this scenario before it happens. To avoid having your outdoor AC unit freeze up, you can ensure that it’s installed correctly, is maintained regularly, and is free of debris. You can also take steps to keep the soil around your unit moist but not soggy.