If your air conditioner is having trouble, it’s important to get things straightened out before the problem gets any worse. This means you’ve got to notice what’s going on with your air conditioner. Is it making a strange noise? Does it smell funny? Is it stopping and starting too often? Any of these things mean it’s time to get AC repair. But what about ice?
Sometimes, people think it’s okay or even expected for ice to develop on an air conditioner. But no! This is another indicator that your air conditioner needs repair. When you see ice on your AC evaporator coils, something has gone wrong. And if you don’t get it sorted out, it will get worse. Here’s what to do.
Step 1: Let That Ice Melt
You might be able to resolve this problem yourself, depending on what has caused it. But you’re not going to get to the root of the issue unless you can get past all that ice. So you need to turn off the air conditioner until it all melts away.
Do keep an eye on it during this process. Some air conditioners have condensate pumps which will help it drain, and if yours doesn’t have that, it will be at higher risk of overflowing. The ice should be gone within a day or less.
Step 2: Get Some Cleaning Done
One possible cause of ice developing on your coils is lack of airflow from a clogged air filter. Your AC air filter should be changed monthly—more often if you have a lot of dust or pet hair in your home, less often during seasons when the AC is only occasionally used. So change that filter! Then clean the coils themselves, because a layer of dust can insulate them, so they can’t absorb enough heat and will freeze.
Step 3: Try Again
Now, turn on the AC. If it runs just fine and doesn’t get iced up again, you’ve solved your problem! Just make sure that you keep the air filter and the coils clean, and you’re all set. But what if the ice starts to build up again?
Step 4: Get Professional Help
If the problem continues, the issue was not the air filter or dirt on the coils. There are two likely possibilities: one is lack of airflow due to a problem with the fan or motor. The other is that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Either of these would cause the coil to be unable to absorb enough heat, leaving it extra-cold and causing condensation to freeze against it.
This problem will just keep making itself worse, because the ice will further prevent heat absorption! You need to get air conditioning repair in Hibbing, MN from a knowledgeable technician. The motor or fan can be repaired, damaged coil can be patched, refrigerant can be refilled, and your air conditioner can get back to proper, ice-free operation.
Reach out to Mesaba Heating & Air Conditioning today. Service to you is success to us!