What Causes an AC to Ice Up?

When you think about air conditioning icing up, you’d expect it to happen in the dead of winter. However, your AC can ice up on the hottest day of the year and cause your AC to stop cooling. That’s the last thing you need in the humidity of a Florida summer. So what is it that causes an AC to ice up despite the hot weather?

How Does AC Work?

Air conditioning removes hot air from indoors and transfers it outdoors. The refrigerant is a liquid that is contained inside the evaporator coil. It’s converted to gas, and the indoor heat and humidity are absorbed into the refrigerant and cooled as it passes over the evaporator coil. 

The cooled air is pumped through the ducts via the blower fan and distributed throughout the home. The heated air is pushed outside, and the refrigerant immediately cools, turning it back into liquid form.

Why Does AC Ice Up?

In order to work properly, your AC needs a supply of constant warm air. AC units will ice up when the flow of warm air stops. If the warm air fails to reach the refrigerant, it will become so cold that any moisture on the coils freezes and turns into ice. 

What Causes AC to Ice Up?

There are several reasons your AC can ice up. The most common causes are:

• Blocked airflow 
• Low refrigerant levels or a refrigerant leak
• Faulty compressor
• Clogged air filters
• Running AC when it’s cold outside
• Clogged condensate lines
• Malfunctioning blower fan
• Blocked vents

Your professional AC technicians will be able to diagnose the cause of the AC ice-up and provide a repair. The best way to reduce the risk of an AC ice-up is to schedule regular air conditioning maintenance in Titusville, FL. Newer AC units should be serviced once per year and twice for systems older than five years. 

Schedule Your Air Conditioning Maintenance in Titusville, FL

Regular maintenance will keep your air conditioning system functioning efficiently and detect any damage or issues that could lead to an AC ice-up. Call Assurance Aire today for expert air conditioning maintenance in Titusville, FL, to ensure that your home will stay cool and comfortable all summer.