What Are Frozen Coils, and How Can You Prevent Them from Happening?

Writer • Apr 09, 2020

If you’re having some problems with your air conditioning unit malfunctioning, you should perform a quick visual inspection of the unit and check and see if your coils have frozen up. Frozen coils are one of the most common problems that result in the air conditioning in your building not working.

Why do AC coils freeze in Portage, MI? There are a number of potential causes. The good news is there are also plenty of preventative measures you can take to ensure this doesn’t become an issue. Here are just a few examples of some of the most effective strategies you can employ to prevent your coils from freezing:

  • Check the condensate drain: Commercial air conditioning units will have condensate lines, which let the excess moisture that builds up in the unit run away from the system and drain out. However, if the drain line gets clogged up somehow, that water will start to back up. The presence of the backed-up water in the line can cause the AC coils to freeze. With this in mind, you should regularly check the drain pipe and clean out any debris, especially during the hottest parts of the summer, when the air conditioning is likely to be working its hardest. If it’s working properly, there will be water dripping into the condensate pan.
  • Change filters: Air conditioning units need clean air to flow through the unit to work properly. If you have extremely dirty filters, there’s not going to be enough circulation around the coils, which will result in condensation staying there and freezing up. Therefore, you should regularly change your filters to make sure there’s plenty of air flowing through the system. It can also be a good idea to clean out air vents to prevent the ducts from getting blocked.
  • Check refrigerant: Refrigerant levels should remain consistent at all times. If there’s a refrigerant leak or you start to run low on refrigerant, your AC unit will be missing the part of its system that regulates temperature, meaning the evaporator coil could become too cold and freeze up. Bring in an HVAC professional to check for leaks and track chemical levels—this isn’t a task you should try to take on yourself.
  • Increase fan speed: Not only do you need clean air to run your AC unit, but you also need a fan that’s able to push that air through the system. Clean air filters aren’t sufficient on their own—if the fan’s not able to blow air hard or fast enough, you’re not going to get very good AC operation in your building. Therefore, make sure you have clean fan blades and a motor that’s functioning properly. An HVAC professional can test the speed of your fan during a regular maintenance checkup.
  • Check the thermostat: There could potentially be a problem with your thermostat that’s causing your coils to freeze. A malfunctioning thermostat could send the wrong temperature signals to the AC, resulting in it working too hard and then freezing up.

For more information about frozen AC coils in Portage, MI and how to remedy the issue, contact All Brands Heating & Cooling today.

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