A Quick Guide to Fixing Ice on the Air Conditioner

The time of year really does impact how we see things, doesn’t it?  For example, if our children want to head outside wearing flip flops in July we don’t blink an eye.  But, if it’s the middle of January and they are attempting to wear sandals to school, then we have a problem with it.

The same concept goes for ice on your air conditioner.  During the winter months?  You probably wouldn’t think anything of it.  On a blazing hot summer day? You might be a little more concerned.  And, you should be.  Ice on your air conditioner when it isn’t cold outside means that there is a problem going on.

What Does the Ice Mean?

There are two major reasons for why ice may form on the air conditioner:

1. Low refrigerant
2. Not enough air flowing over the evaporator coil

It is important to determine why there is ice on the unit because that will influence what the solution is.

What Should I Do About It?

Just because you know that there is a problem with your air conditioner does not mean that you know how to deal with it.  Here are 5 easy steps to help get your a/c back up and running again.

1. Turn off the air conditioner.

I’m sorry, we know it’s hot out, but continuing to run it may only cause the problem to get worse.

2. DO NOT attempt to break or chip off ice.

Instead, wait for the ice to melt naturally.  Trying to knock the ice off can end up creating more damage.

3. Clean or change the filter.

A clogged filter restricts airflow, which could be the culprit of not enough air flowing over the evaporator coil.  Cleaning or changing the filter could be an easy fix.

4. Turn the A/C on.

Once the ice has completely melted, turn the air conditioner back on.  Observe how it is operating and if any ice begins to form again.  If all seems to be good–you may be in the clear!  Just continue to keep an eye on the unit.  If, the clean filter did not seem to make a difference, you will need to move on to step 5.

5. Call a professional.

Turn the air conditioner back off and contact a professional heating and cooling technician.  They can replace refrigerant if necessary or dig deeper to discover the source of the issue.

Looking for more information about our residential cooling services?  Contact us at FLAME Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, and Electrical!