The wide temperature ranges in the Twin Cities area can cause difficulties for your air conditioner, especially during periods of high humidity.
Your air conditioner works on the same principle as a refrigerator. A refrigerant gas is compressed into a liquid and then expanded through a capillary tube or expansion valve. As the refrigerant vaporizes in the evaporator coil, it extracts heat energy from the indoor air, which creates cooling. A fan blows that cool air through ducts and into the rooms of our home.
If there is something wrong and the evaporator gets too cold or the blower doesn’t work properly, you could find ice on your air conditioner, effectively blocking it and reducing the efficiency of your equipment.
You may notice the following symptoms:
- Poor air flow from ducts
- Air coming out that’s not very cold
- Wisps of vapor coming out of some ducts
- Ice on the outside condensing unit
Check These Points Before Calling for Help
Sometimes the cause is something quite simple, and here are some points you should check.
- Thermostat set too low: Avoid setting it below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, especially in cool and damp weather.
- Running air conditioner with windows open: Close the windows
- Inlet and outlet vents on air conditioner or ducting closed: Open all the vents.
- Clogged air filter: Clean or replace the filter.
After checking these points, switch the air conditioner off for at least half an hour, allow the ice on the air conditioner to melt and then try it again. If the problem persists, you need to call in a professional.
Other Reasons for Icing Up
When your air conditioner ices up, it’s important to get it repaired as more serious damage can occur if the problem is neglected. Typical reasons for icing up include:
- Refrigerant leak
- Internal blockage or restriction
- Fan not running properly
- Electrical fault
- Blocked ducts
If you have ice on your air conditioner, please contact us at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning. Serving the Twin Cities metropolitan area, we employ skilled, reliable technicians who will quickly repair your air conditioner.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air conditioners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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