If you see ice on your air conditioner, you may fall prey to the mistaken idea that the system is simply working really well. However, the reality is the exact opposite. You actually have a system that is really struggling to operate the way it should.
Ice building up on your air conditioner is a sign that the system has a problem that needs to be fixed. We will get into the details below. The long and short of it is that ice on your AC means it is time to schedule an air conditioning repair in Kingsburg, CA. Here’s why.
Ice Indicates Issues
Ice is created when your air conditioner is unable to absorb enough heat to warm up the evaporator coil. The end result is that the refrigerant ends up cooling the line itself, creating ice with any moisture that is on the line. The more ice there is on the line, the less it can absorb heat and the less cool air the system can create for your home.
What Leads to an Icy Air Conditioner
So how does this problem start? There are actually multiple issues that can cause this to happen, many of which require expert assistance to resolve.
- A dirty air filter: Your air conditioner needs to have a steady supply of air to cool. If you have an air filter in place that is too dirty though, it can reduce the airflow entering your AC. If there isn’t enough air for the refrigerant to absorb heat from, it may end up leading to ice building up on your evaporator coil as a result. Thankfully, this is easily solvable with a filter change every one to three months.
- Reduced refrigerant levels: Refrigerant is the heat transfer medium that is responsible for removing heat from the air and cooling things down. Without the right amount of refrigerant, your AC can’t absorb heat properly. This leads to that ice build-up along with other problems like short cycling or even a tripped circuit breaker.
- A dirty evaporator coil: Yes, dirt on your evaporator coil can also lead to ice collecting on the line. This is because even a thin layer of dirt can end up hindering the heat absorption that cools the air. And, of course, when your air isn’t cooled properly, the line ends up getting overly cold and icing over.
The end result of ice in your AC is poor performance, increased energy usage, and increased repair needs. In fact, this issue can even cut down on the number of years you have a serviceable air conditioner. That is why when you notice ice in your system it means that you need to contact a professional technician to address the problem.
You can trust the team at California Indoor Comfort Inc to get your system fixed up. We can assess the system and find the core problem in order to fix it properly.
Where comfort and technology come together: Schedule your next system service with the experts at California Indoor Comfort Inc.