If you notice ice forming on your air conditioner this summer, your system is in trouble. Air conditioner ice is caused by an issue with the air flow in the system, which can dramatically lower the output and eventually cause a full breakdown. If you don’t deal with the problem soon, you may end up paying far more than you need to in repair costs. Lets’ take a look at what causes air conditioner ice, and why it’s a problem.
The Cause
The evaporator coil is the part of the air conditioner that is responsible for siphoning heat from the air in the home’s ducts. The temperature of the air around the coil is constantly dropping, and condensation forms on it as the air temperature drops below the dew point. Normally, the constant flow of warm air from the ducts is enough to keep the condensate from freezing. The condensate will then drain out of the system through a special pipe. If the air flow is cut off, though, the condensate will eventually freeze and form ice.
The Problems
While the evaporator coil is frozen, it will be unable to siphon heat from the air. This will cause the output of the system to drop considerably. The ice buildup can eventually grow large enough that the weight of it will warp the coil, requiring that it be replaced. The ice can also spread down the refrigerant line to other parts of the system, causing them to malfunction and break down. If you don’t fix the root cause of the ice, the entire air conditioner can completely break down. Call for repairs as soon as you notice your air conditioner icing over.
Touchstone Heating & Air, Inc. offers comprehensive air conditioner repair services throughout Lake City, FL. Call today to schedule an appointment with one of our AC experts.