Frozen
AC units are not uncommon occurrences in
San Diego, especially during the long, summer months. Unfortunately, this is not a good thing. It’s an indication that there is something wrong with your unit. Given the common occurrence, it is best to learn what might be causing it. Several different things can cause your
AC unit to freeze up. Unfortunately, they are all negative and mean that something has gone wrong somewhere in your system.
Lack Of Airflow
You have to think of your
air conditioning system as a live, breathing person. This is essentially what they are, given that they need room and air to breathe. If your unit is getting the proper airflow it needs, it will freeze up. That being said, there are several different reasons that your unit might not be getting the proper airflow.
It could be that some of the vents are blocked, it could be clogged filters, it could be that the fans are faulty.
Solution: When dealing with a frozen unit due to lack of airflow the best place to start is with the fan. Make sure the fan is running and running in the right direction. Your supply vents should be blowing out air, whereas your return vents should be sucking in air. Start by going to your thermostat, turning the fan on, and checking the flow of the unit. From here, you’ll want to check the filters then the coils. If you are still having problems, you’ll likely need the assistance of a
trained professional.
Leaking Refrigerant
Unfortunately, leaking Freon or refrigerant is the number one cause for frozen units. What makes the matter even worse is, recharging the unit is usually something that requires the assistance of a trained professional. It’s not like adding Freon to a vehicle, where you have a gauge that will tell you if the system is adequately charged. You’ll have to base the charge on the ambient temperature as well as supply and return temperatures.
Solution: All and all, the best way to deal with a refrigerant leak is by turning to a
San Diego professional. A certified professional will be able to give you the advice that you need to proceed. Depending on the age and condition of the system, it might be best to just go ahead and swap out the whole system. This is likely true if the system is still utilizing R-22 refrigerant. It’ll cost you an arm and a leg to recharge the unit properly.
Outdoor Temperatures
Believe it or not, there might be times when your unit freezes and there’s not much you can do about it. When the temperatures drop below 60 degrees in San Diego, your system will likely freeze or frost up. That being said, it will probably be highly likely that you won’t be running the cooling cycle when the temperatures are this mild outside.
Solution: If your unit is freezing when the temperature is 60 degrees F or lower outside, the only thing you can do is shut the system off, let it defrost, and then restart the system.
Frozen air conditioners are a common occurrence, but the occurrence doesn’t necessarily mean that you are dealing with a serious problem. However, if the problem is left unattended it will likely turn into something serious. This is why it is always best to take a proactive approach. A proactive maintenance plan can also reduce the likelihood of frozen units, as tech will monitor your filers, ductwork, and refrigerant levels.
There are plenty of
HVAC contractors in San Diego that offer maintenance contracts. Techs will come out and maintenance the unit once before the summer season and once before the winter season. With this type of approach, you’ll always be prepared for the upcoming seasons.
