On a really hot day it can feel like a great thing to have a snow cone or even just an ice pack to cool you off. But you don’t actually want ice on your air conditioner. Contrary to a popular belief that some may have, ice on an air conditioner does not mean that is operating especially well. It actually means that the system is struggling to do its job and, ironically, it will be harder to cool the house down.
If you start noticing that there is ice in the indoor unit of your system, it means you need to find a professional who can provide you with air conditioning repair in Irmo, SC.
Let’s take a look at what causes ice to collect on your evaporator coil, why it’s a problem, and how to handle it.
What Leads to Ice on the Evaporator Coil?
Ice collecting on the evaporator coil will become a problem. This is because it is a sign that your air conditioner isn’t absorbing enough heat. When your system doesn’t absorb enough heat, it means that the area around the coil is getting colder and colder, leading to the creation of ice.
Why Is Ice on the Evaporator Coil an Issue?
When there is ice on your AC’s evaporator coil, it will be something that is harmful to both your home comfort and your overall system’s wellbeing. This is because the longer the ice goes unaddressed, the worse it will get and the harder the AC will work to attempt to cool your house. With that ice layer, your system won’t be able to cool much of anything, allowing the issue to worsen and so on.
Ice is a sign of a major issue that will only get worse as time goes on. Make sure to turn off your AC and reach out for repairs to get the core problem taken care of.
What Causes Ice on the Coil?
What leads to this chilly issue? There are a few potential causes, including:
- A refrigerant leak: Low refrigerant will be unable to absorb heat properly.
- Poor airflow into the system: If there isn’t enough air getting into the system, it will lead to the refrigerant cooling the area around the coil too much.
- A dirty evaporator coil: A dirty coil cannot absorb heat properly.
- An undersized or oversized AC: Improper sizing can lead to too much cooling power or too little heat absorption.
Handling an Icy Air Conditioner
While it can be tempting to try to open up your air conditioner and scrape the ice off the coil yourself, we strongly advise against doing this. Chances are high that you will end up causing additional damage to your air conditioner rather than actually fixing the issue. What’s more, getting rid of the ice doesn’t address the core problem. When you work with a professional it will allow you to get rid of the ice and fix the core problem. That way this issue doesn’t pop back up in the near future.
When you need help with AC repairs in the Columbia area, contact Fulmer Heating & Cooling.