What makes an air conditioner freeze up?
Question:my air conditioner is freezing up and we have changed the filter and cant figure out what is wrong with it any ideas?
Answers:
Insufficient airflow or low refrigerant levels will cause this problem. Simply replacing the air filter may not be enough. If the air filter has not been properly maintained over the years the particles will begin to build up on the suface and in between the fins on the evaporator coil which is the coil for the "inside" part of the system. This issue is resolved by cleaning the coil and beginning a proper schedule for filter maintenance. The second likely problem is a low refrigerant charge. There is almost no system that is 100% leak free forever and "charging" a system is a fairly common practice. Any leaks less than a couple of ounces a year are pretty normal. The problem occurs because as the refrigerant level drops the "saturation point", the point in the evaporator coil where all refrigerant liquid becomes vapor, is extended allowing th coil to become too cold. Instead of the condensation dripping off into the condensation pan and draining, it begins to freeze on the coil causing a huge block of ice. The system really needs to be checked by a professional as this type of situation could wind up costing you far more for service if you wait or attempt a fix without having adequate knowledge of refrigeration and the associated repairs in an HVAC system.
might wanna replace it...sounds like the condenser is gone...
it's cause the filter is new and clean.. so it's freezy freezy beezy
2 things could be causing your problem.
First is the most simple..dirty filter
Second could be the coils are dirty.
Third, it could be low on freon.
Try the most simple things first.
Poor air flow is normally the root cause. The usual culprit is dirt in the evaporator (indoor coil) and in the indoor blower wheel. Collapsed or restricted duct work and an improperly air balanced system are less likely culprits. A partial loss of the refrigerant charge can cause the problem but unless you have had to add to the charge in the past, it is unlikely considering the attention paid today to conservation of refrigerant. Today a loss of refrigerant is NOT normal. A lot of attention is paid to making a tight system. I hope this will help you out.
well spider i think that was 3 things. low freon or low air flow.. if its a window unit make sure the front cover is on and blows the air away from sucking right back in
I take it that the large tube and inside coil are freezing up.
In Freon, the pressure is proportional to the temperature, so too little pressure in that system on the "big line" will cause a freeze. That is almost always due to a loss of freon from the system. Even a small amount of loss will drop the pressure on that large line and thus drop the temp to the point where the moisture condenses and forms ice. Basically that is how it works.
I am sure at this point you've cleaned the filter and even maybe cleaned out the freezing coil, Those are the first thing a homeowner does and usually to no avail.
You will simply have to get someone to add a bit of freon to the system as you probably have a minute leak somewhere in the lines or in the coils.
If your evaporator (looks like a aluminum radiator) siting under the blower (fan that blows air to ducts) is icing up, it's due to low freon. So you have a leak somewhere probably the evaporated rusted out from constant condensation and caused a leak. Because of the cost of labor and freon if it's rusted don't mess around and try to patch it , just replace the evaporator. Total estimate $800-$1100 depending were you live and equipment brand.If you wait too long low freon levels can damage your compressor. $$$
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