It’s hot, and at the height of summer, your air conditioner is working its hardest to keep you cool. This is why many homeowners think that ice build-up may be part of the normal course of operation. It isn’t. Ice build-up anywhere in your system means there’s an imbalance in the heat release/cooling process, and this imbalance is most likely from a refrigerant leak. So what should you do? The first step you need to take is to call the experts at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling. We’ve been helping customers in the Doylestown, PA area with their AC repair needs since 1976, and we are here to help you, too.
Scraping Doesn’t Help
You may be thinking to yourself, “I can just scrape the ice off.” You can, but this doesn’t address the actual reason for the ice build-up. The best thing to do is to shut off your system. This takes the stress off it and gives your system time to defrost the parts that have gotten so cold.
Why Is the Ice There?
As we mentioned above, the most common reason for ice build-up is a refrigerant leak; the second most common reason is a clogged air filter. But no matter the reason, the problem is the same: your system’s warm parts are getting too hot and the cool parts are getting too cold. This disparity in temperatures causes condensation to form, which then quickly freezes onto the cold parts of the system. What creates the imbalance? If you have a refrigerant leak, the problem is that your system needs an exact amount of refrigerant in order to operate correctly; a leak decreases the refrigerant amount, creating an imbalance. With a clogged air filter, your system’s air flow is restricted; like the lack of refrigerant creates an imbalance, so, too, does a lack of proper air flow in your system.
Ice build-up is a sign that all is not well with your system. If you see ice anywhere on your AC, call us for help!