What Causes AC to Freeze Up in Summer?

Is your faulty air conditioner preventing you from keeping cool this summer? Call Gladiator Services at (201) 903-9784 to schedule top-rated AC repair!

Is your air conditioner failing to keep your home comfortable as the blazing summer temperatures roll in? You could have a frozen system. 

Most homeowners have an air conditioner, but few really know how it works. As such, it can be confusing when your air conditioner stops working and freezes up. 

What causes your AC to freeze up? And how can you restore your home's cool air?

Gladiator Services is Teaneck's trusted AC repair team, so we know a thing or two about cooling systems. Below, we answer these questions by explaining why your air conditioner is freezing up and what you can do about it. 

You Have a Clogged Air Filter

One of the most common yet detrimental problems you can experience with your air conditioner is a clogged air filter.

Your system's air filter has the important responsibility of collecting dust, dirt, debris, and other allergens, removing them from your home's indoor air so you can have a cleaner, healthier environment. But if the air filter is especially dirty or clogged, it won't be able to do its job very well. 

A clogged air filter doesn't just make your air conditioner less efficient. It can also cause it to freeze up. 

How?

When debris accumulates on the air filter, it prevents the cool air produced by your air conditioner from escaping the unit. As a result, this trapped cool air can freeze your system. Additionally, homeowners often worsen this problem by lowering the temperature further because their home isn't as cool as they would like. 

Fortunately, it's pretty easy to prevent this problem. Regularly changing your air filter prevents it from clogging, which also helps improve your home's indoor air quality and cooling system's efficiency. 

You Have Refrigerant Problem

Refrigerant is the liquid inside your AC unit that removes heat from the air so that you can enjoy cool air in your home on a hot summer day. While most people are somewhat familiar with refrigerant leak problems, they are often unaware that refrigerant can only work at certain temperatures. So if your refrigerant is too cold, it will affect the entire air conditioning system. 

Several things can lower the temperature of your unit's refrigerant, including leaks. When your air conditioner leaks refrigerant, it won't be able to regulate your home's indoor air sufficiently. This can force your air conditioner to freeze up while making it run less efficiently, increasing your monthly energy bills and reducing your indoor comfort. 

When HVAC systems leak refrigerant, it's essential to call an HVAC professional. Refrigerant is toxic, so only an experienced and trained professional should handle it. 

You Have a Faulty Thermostat

What causes your AC to freeze up in summer? Surprisingly enough, it could be your thermostat.

Think of your thermostat as the brain of your HVAC system. It tells your air conditioner how cool your home should be. So if your thermostat reads the wrong temperature or it just doesn't turn on, it can make it seem like your air conditioner is the problem. 

So how does a broken thermostat freeze up your air conditioner? If you can't change the set temperature on the thermostat, or it makes your air conditioner produce colder air than what you want, it can force your system to freeze due to the constant cool air. 

This problem can occur at any point of the year. Regardless of the season, if you have a broken thermostat, HVAC technicians can help you decide whether to repair it or install a new one. 

You Have Dirty or Frozen Evaporator Coils

The AC coils work by extracting heat from the air, sending the warm air back outside while sending cool air into your home. But like with any other component in your air conditioner, if the coils are dirty or broken, it will affect the entire system. 

Like your air filter, your coils can become dirty over time. When they become too dirty, the layer of debris basically insulates the coils, preventing them from extracting enough heat. This results in them freezing or breaking, which can take the whole system down. 

Scheduling air conditioning repair as soon as you notice a problem with the evaporator coils is crucial for protecting your system. 

You Have an Old Unit

It's no secret that old air conditioners are less effective and energy-efficient than newer ones. But installing a new unit typically requires a significant upfront investment, so homeowners are often hesitant to replace their old systems. 

Why is an old air conditioner more likely to freeze up than a newer one?

If any part of your air conditioner breaks or becomes dirty enough, it can freeze the entire system. Since older AC systems are more likely to have faulty parts, they are more likely to freeze up. 

You can prevent this by scheduling routine maintenance. However, if your unit is over ten years old, it may be worth considering an upgrade. 

Reach Out to the AC Experts You Can Rely on for All Your Cooling Needs

A frozen air conditioner can be a problem resulting from a wide range of different issues. And the best way to determine what the problem is and how to fix it is by calling experienced AC professionals. 

Gladiator Services knows that homeowners want their homes to be as comfortable as possible all year round. So when your air conditioner breaks on a scorching hot summer day, you need a reliable team that's ready to provide prompt repairs. 

Our trusted team of techs uses state-of-the-art equipment to diagnose and fix even the most complex AC problems. We know what causes your AC to freeze up in summer and how to fix it.

Need to know how to reset an air conditioner or fix a short cycling system? Call Gladiator Services at (201) 903-9784 to schedule a service and get your AC working again in no time!