It’s hard to believe anything can freeze in Merritt Island, FL but sometimes your air conditioner unit will freeze despite blazing temperatures outside. There are several likely causes if your AC unit is frozen. The culprit could be low refrigerant levels, a dirty air filter, a clogged condensate line, or unexpectedly low temperatures.
Low Refrigerant
Refrigerant is a fluid or gaseous compound that your HVAC system uses to absorb heat. The coils that house the refrigerant get too cold and ice accumulates on them when your air conditioner gets low on refrigerant. High humidity levels and dirty coils tend to exasperate this problem. If your refrigerant levels are low you may have a leak. Therefore, it’s important to get your system inspected by an HVAC professional.
Dirty Air Filter
It’s hard to believe that something as simple as a dirty air filter can cause your AC to freeze. However, it happens all the time. A dirty air filter impedes airflow. This causes cool air to build up inside your HVAC unit and lower its internal temperature. The buildup of cold air can cause ice to form over time. Change your filter every three months to avoid this.
Unexpectedly Cool Temperatures
HVAC systems are designed to operate within specific temperature ranges. If the outdoor temperature drops too low and your AC continues to run, your unit is likely to freeze over. Avoid this by upgrading to a smart thermostat and programming it to shut off your AC when the outdoor temperature drops below 65 degrees.
Clogged Condensate Line
A large amount of water vapor turns into condensation inside an HVAC unit in humid climates like Florida’s. Typically, air conditioners will condense this water vapor into liquid and dispose of it through the system’s condensate line. It will trap water and your unit is likely to freeze if the drain line becomes clogged.
The professionals at Bencraft Mechanical Services can help you keep your AC unit in good working order and minimize the likelihood of it freezing up. Why wait? Give us a call at (321) 978-0927 today.
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