Is there any ice forming on your air conditioner? If you think that ice formation on your air conditioning system is a sign that it is working well, you are not alone. It is understandable to think that ice formation on your AC is a good thing. After all, if temperatures in Shreveport, are skyrocketing during the summer and your AC has ice on it, it could seem like it is doing a very good job.
Unfortunately, air conditioners should never have ice forming on them. Contrary to popular belief, ice on an AC is a sign of a malfunctioning unit that you need to call someone to fix as soon as possible. We will tell you about the reasons why ice might be forming on your AC to help you understand why this is a bad thing and why you should not delay calling in a professional for air conditioning repair in Shreveport, LA.
Reasons You Might See Ice Forming on Your Air Conditioner
There are two major reasons ice might be forming on your AC.
1. Refrigerant problems
The refrigerant is a crucial element in your AC. It has the task of absorbing the heat from inside your house and transferring it outside. The refrigerant flows at high pressure throughout the HVAC system as it transfers heat outside to keep your home cool. Over time, the high-pressure flow of refrigerant through the system can cause minor or major leaks that make your AC less efficient and cause the unit to freeze.
Low refrigerant levels can cause the coils containing the refrigerant to become too cold and result in ice buildup. If the coils are dirty or there is a lot of humidity in the air, the ice buildup can get extremely bad.
2. Airflow problems
Improper airflow is another main reason for air conditioners to freeze up. The air filter responsible for clearing the air of debris and dust before it enters the HVAC system can become dirty over time. If you do not replace the air filter, it will become clogged. Without enough air getting through, the coils can drop below freezing.
Any humidity in the air then starts condensing up and accumulating on the coils before the below-freezing temperature leads to ice formation. There could be several other reasons for improper airflow causing the coils to freeze up.
What Should You Do When Ice Forms on Your AC
If there is any ice buildup on your AC, it is a more serious problem than you might think. Scraping the ice off will not solve the root cause of the problem. Instead, we recommend turning off your air conditioner, letting the AC defrost, and calling professionals for AC repairs.
Qualified technicians will know how to find the core problem causing the ice buildup and address it properly so that you can get the best out of your AC for a long time during the hot summers in Shreveport.
Moon’s Air has provided whole-home comfort since 1971. Call us for service today—it’s good to be Mooned!