Summer is finally upon us, and as such you’ll be depending on your air conditioning system more and more in order to keep your home and your family cool throughout the season. When you do begin using your air conditioner more, you may notice ice forming on the evaporator coil of your system. Perhaps you’d brush this off as normal, or a good sign. However, you’d be wrong.
Unfortunately, if ice has developed on your air conditioner, your system is in trouble. You should call for repairs as soon as this happens. Keep reading for some information on why air conditioners ice over sometimes, why it’s a bad thing, and what you can do about it.
Understanding Your Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil of your air conditioner is where you’ll find ice, should it occur. This coil operates by evaporating refrigerant during operation. This siphons thermal energy from the air within your home, and the temperature around the coil decreases. As a result, condensate forms on the coil as the air is cooled past the dew point.
Ideally, the constant flow of warm air from your air ducts maintains a steady balance that prevents the temperature of the coil from dropping too low. However, if the flow of air is disrupted due to a broken air handler or a blocked air filter, the temperature around the coil eventually decreases to a point that the condensate freezes.
The Problem
If your evaporator coil freezes over, it won’t be able to appropriately siphon the heat from inside your home. The ice can also carry over to other parts of the air conditioning system, causing the system to eventually break down. Dealing with this problem ASAP is essential. The best way to prevent ice forming on your evaporator coil is by replacing your air conditioner’s air filter at least every three months to keep air flowing appropriately.
For professional air conditioner repairs in Janesville, IA, contact Dalton Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Inc. today!