A home air conditioner that’s too cold may not be able to cool your house effectively. If you see ice or moisture gathering on the outside of your unit, it may be too cold.
But it’s not always so simple to diagnose this problem. Other signs of a cold home air conditioner include a wet filter, or a frozen evaporator coil or copper piping. Read on to learn some common causes for a frigid home air conditioner.
A Dirty Filter
If your AC unit’s filter is dirty, it can’t work as efficiently and may ice over. But a dirty filter has other negative effects, as well: you’ll find your home’s air quality degrading over time, and your unit will have to work harder, which may eventually wear out the motor.
It’s a good idea to change your HVAC system’s filter once a month, to avoid these problems. And you should call in an HVAC professional anywhere between twice a year to once a season, to perform basic maintenance and ensure your AC system is functioning as it should be.
Low Freon Levels
If you don’t have enough Freon in your system, it’ll swiftly grow too cold. Add some Freon to fix the problem. But if it ices over again soon afterward, you likely have a Freon leak and should call a professional to get it fixed. Don’t handle it yourself, and be careful if you’re topping off your home air conditioner — Freon can be dangerous to your health.
Cold Weather
If you’re running your air conditioning unit in the cold, your air conditioner may freeze. It needs to run about twenty degrees colder than the temperature in your house, and when this is combined with cold weather the unit may freeze over. To resolve the problem, simply give your home air conditioner a rest.
A Malfunctioning Fan
If your unit’s fan isn’t working properly, it won’t circulate air through your home air conditioner. This can create cold zones in your AC, which may freeze over. Have an HVAC contractor inspect your unit’s fan to resolve this problem.
Blocked Vents
Like a broken fan, blocked vents will impede proper air flow into your home air conditioner. Be sure all vents that bring air into your unit are clear.
An Obstructed Contactor
The contactor in your unit is the device that lets your unit know when it can shut off. Like a clogged filter, an obstructed contactor will cause your home air conditioner to run overtime, which can damage the motor, so it’s important to fix right away. Make sure your home air conditioner’s contactor is clear of dirt, leaves or insects so that it’ll run efficiently.
It’s Time to Replace Your Unit
Alas, your home air conditioner won’t last forever. If it’s icing over frequently and you’ve gone over the rest of this list without result, it’s probably time to replace your home air conditioner — especially if the unit is ten or more years old.
Even though your air conditioning unit keeps your home cool, the unit itself shouldn’t become cold. But by heeding these tips — or calling an HVAC contractor to inspect your unit — you should be able to get your AC running at peak efficiency again.
Contact the Valley Comfort Heating and Air team. Our specialists are here to help you with your AC repair and maintenance needs.