Frozen Air Conditioner Coils

Tampa Homeowner’s Guide to Overflowing AC Drain Pans and Clogged Drain Lines

Ice build-up on an air conditioner can indicate several problems, including dirty air filters, low refrigerant levels (and a refrigerant leak), a broken blower motor, or a dirty evaporator coil, among other problems.

If you see ice build-up on your air conditioner coils or ice creeping up copper pipes, give us a call. A frozen AC compressor should be fixed ASAP.

Keep reading to learn the common causes of air conditioner ice build-up and what to do if your AC is freezing up so you don’t end up with more expensive repairs or need a replacement.

Common Causes of Ice Build-Up on Your Air Conditioner

Restricted Airflow

The most common cause of an air conditioner freezing is inadequate airflow. When warm air doesn’t flow over your air conditioner’s coils while the compressor is running, frost and ice will begin to build up.

So why does your AC have inadequate airflow? Likely culprits include:

• Collapsed or blocked air ducts
• Faulty blower motor
• Low voltage to the fan or blower motor
• Dirty air filter

Schedule regular AC maintenance every year to detect some of these issues before they grow into major problems or prevent others altogether.

Refrigerant Leaks

Low refrigerant levels are a common cause of ice buildup on air-conditioning systems. If your refrigerant is low, the low pressure in your air conditioner’s compressor will cause evaporator coil temperatures to fall below freezing. Moisture on the coils freeze and eventually creeps up the copper pipes. Initially, you’ll see a light coat of frost, but that frost will eventually build up into a thick sheet of ice.

AC refrigerant doesn’t just run low – it doesn’t evaporate or get used up by running your air conditioner. Low AC refrigerant means you have a leak, and you’ll need to call a technician to repair it.

Dirty Coils

AC coils are commonly wet due to moist air condensing on the cold metal surface. When dust blows over those damp coils, it attaches to the moisture, forming a thick blanket that traps cold inside the coils. As a result, the moisture on your coils freezes.

Mechanical Problems

As we mentioned above, a faulty blower fan can restrict airflow to your AC unit, leading to ice buildup. When inspecting an AC blower fan, our technician will:

• Check for wear and tear
• Check blower fan blades for damage
• Test the blower fan motor
• Check the fan’s rotation speed and direction
• Measure the blower’s power output
• Inspect belts

A defective blower fan isn’t the only AC problem that can cause your AC to freeze up. Refrigerant lines can become bent; filters can get clogged; evaporator coils can leak. Replacing AC parts that have worn out or been damaged is a critical part of your AC maintenance. Don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule an inspection and get an estimate on AC repair in Southeast Tampa.