Ever seen ice build-up on or in your air conditioner and said to yourself, “Well that’s strange”? That’s the exact reaction you should have. Ice build-up on an AC unit is strange—in fact, it is bad news. This is an indicator of some major trouble within your cooling system that requires prompt air conditioning repair in Troy, VA.
All too often we find people have a false belief that an air conditioner producing ice is simply doing a really good job. The reality is their AC system is having a hard time doing its job. Discover more about the problems that lead to ice build-up in your cooling system and why prompt repairs should be your go-to response.
What causes ice to collect in your air conditioner?
The first question most people have is what is causing the creation of ice in their air conditioning system. After all, if it isn’t a sign of exceptional cooling, then what is it? Here are some key causes of this issue:
- A dirty evaporator coil: The evaporator coil in your air conditioner is responsible for cycling the refrigerant that absorbs heat in order to create cool air. If there is a layer of dirt on the evaporator coil, however, it can start to hinder that cooling process and make it harder for the refrigerant to absorb heat. This means that the evaporator coil will not heat up properly, which can cause it to ice over.
- The refrigerant leak: Speaking of refrigerant, if this chemical is leaking out, it can also cause the creation of ice in the system. This is because when the refrigerant pressure is off-kilter it won’t absorb heat properly, causing it to chill the air around the evaporator coil so much that it freezes
- Improper system sizing: There is also a chance you have an air conditioner that is improperly sized. An air conditioner that’s oversized will be too powerful and will cause the evaporator coil to freeze over. Likewise, if the system is undersized, it won’t be able to absorb enough heat and will cause the coil to collect a layer of ice.
Why scraping the ice off is a bad idea
If you have an ice scraper in your hand right now and you’re preparing to take care of the ice issue yourself, we strongly advise you don’t do this. Trying to get rid of the ice yourself creates a high risk of causing more damage to your system. What’s more, it doesn’t resolve the core problem!
How to address an icy AC
The best way to address this problem is to reach out for professional assistance. A trained technician can safely thaw out your air conditioner and also figure out the core issue that is creating problems. From there, they can provide a viable solution that will prevent your AC from creating that ice build-up again—which ultimately ensures your system will be able to work properly once more.
We can’t control the weather outside of your home, but we can control the weather inside your home. Contact Mack Morris Heating & Air Conditioning for your AC repair needs.