In the middle of summer, a lot of homeowners are going to notice ice forming on their air conditioning units. Many of them don’t know what this means, and some of them will believe it to be a good thing. After all, the air conditioner is supposed to be cold, isn’t it? Actually, ice on your air conditioner is indicative of a very serious problem, one that needs to be fixed if you want to keep your system operating properly. Read on to find out why your air conditioner is icing over.
The Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil is a part that your air conditioner uses to evaporate refrigerant. This draws heat out of the air and into the coil, which cools your home in the process. Two things happen when the evaporator coil is working. First, the air around the coil gets colder. Second, condensation forms on the coil. Normally, there is a balance between the warm home air and the cold air around the coil that prevents this from being a problem. However, that is not always the case. Sometimes, whether because the refrigerant is low or the air filter is clogged, the balance between the cold coil and the warm air will be thrown off. That causes the condensate on the coil to freeze into ice.
The problem with air conditioner ice is that it prevents the evaporator coil from siphoning heat form the air. If it goes unchecked, the weight of it can permanently warp the coil and require that it be replaced. The ice can also spread to other parts of the system, eventually causing a total breakdown. If you notice ice on your air conditioner, call for repairs right away.
If your air conditioner needs repairs, call Saddleback Plumbing. We provide air conditioner repair services throughout Laguna Niguel, CA.