What Causes AC Pipes To Freeze?

Is it normal for AC pipes to freeze?

So, the freezing of your AC pipes is quite normal in low-temperature months when the temperature drops below 50 degrees. But here in Sacramento summers it is not normal for your AC pipes to freeze out of nowhere in the hot summers. These situations require immediate attention.

If it is not the freezing temperatures, What has caused your AC Pipes to freeze?

When your see ice forming on the pipe of your air conditioner, it could mean you’re dealing with one of two common AC issues:

• Airflow is blocked over the evaporator coil.
• There’s not enough refrigerant in the system.

Not sure which problem you’re facing? No problem!

Keep reading to understand both the issues and why they cause ice on your AC Pipes.

Airflow is blocked over the evaporator coil

The evaporator coil is the main part of the AC and plays a major role in cooling the air

Working of the evaporator coil
The evaporator coil inside the AC is like a big net filled with a liquid/gas called refrigerant. This refrigerant sucks up the heat from the air inside your house. Once it takes away the heat, it sends the now cool air back into your home.

But here’s the catch: if there isn’t enough warm air blowing over the evaporator coils, the refrigerant gets too cold. This can make the pipes that connect to your outdoor air conditioning unit freeze up fast.

So, what are some reasons that can lead to the blockage of warm air flowing over the evaporator coil?

Some of the issues are –

• A dirty air filter
• Dirt buildup on the evaporator coil
• Problems with the blower fan
• Leaky or collapsed air ducts
• Closed or blocked air vents

If you find out that this is the reason behind your AC freezing, contact a professional ac repair sacramento company. They will take care of the problem by servicing your AC and make sure you are satisfied with the results.

Not enough refrigerant in the system

When the refrigerant level of your AC drops, the temperature of the refrigerant inside the evaporator coil also keeps dropping. This leads to ice forming on the pipe

But when you think about it the refrigerant is moving through a closed system from the outdoor to the indoor unit. So it is next to impossible for the refrigerant level to drop unless there is a leak somewhere

Signs of a refrigerant leak include:

• Strange noises from the refrigerant pipes.
• Warmer air coming from the vents.
• Higher-than-normal electricity bills

Now, refrigerant is a toxic substance, so please do not try to handle this issue yourself. If you discover a refrigerant leak based on the signs mentioned above, call a company providing AC service in Sacramento. Issues like this are better left to the professionals.

How to fix both issues temporarily while waiting on the professionals?

Step 1: Quickly switch your thermostat from “cool” to “off.”

Step 2: Set the thermostat fan to “on” and wait at least 3 hours before switching your AC unit back to “cool.” When you turn the thermostat to “on,” the fan will keep running, pulling warm air from inside your house to help thaw the ice on the refrigerant pipes.

Are your AC pipes freezing up? Call Heald Mechanical for the best AC service in Sacramento.

Ice buildup on your AC is a sure sign of trouble, but Heald Mechanical has your back. Serving Sacramento since 1910, we are the HVAC experts you can rely on for the best AC service. Our team of skilled technicians can easily diagnose and fix all AC issues, including frozen pipes. Give us a call today and we will help you fix the frozen AC pipes so that you can enjoy a cool summer. With our prompt and reliable service, we can restore comfort to your home or business.