As the days warm up, you’re going to start using your air conditioner more and more often. You may notice ice forming on your unit at some point during the summer. Is that a good thing, or a bad thing? Unfortunately, ice on your air conditioner is invariably bad. Let’s take a look at what causes your air conditioner to ice over, and what can happen if the ice is not removed quickly.
The Causes of Air Conditioner Ice
Air conditioner ice virtually always begins with the evaporator coil. This is the part that evaporates refrigerant in order to absorb heat from the indoor air. There are two side effects of this operation. The first is that condensate forms on the coil. The second is that the temperature around the coil drops as heat is leached from the surrounding air. Normally, the temperature change is counteracted by the constant flow of warm air over the coil. However, things like excessive dirt can insulate the coil from the warm air it needs to keep operating properly. If the coil is not cleaned often enough, it will freeze the condensate on it and form ice.
Problems That Ice Causes
Ice on your air conditioner can cause all sorts of problems. If it is allowed to build up enough, the weight of it can permanently warp the coil. The ice can also spread down the refrigerant line and into other parts of the air conditioner, like the compressor. This can cause the compressor to break down as well, which will prevent the entire air conditioner from operating. Ice is a very serious problem. If you notice it on your air conditioner you should call a professional as soon as possible.
Do you have ice on your air conditioner? If so, call Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating, & Plumbing. We repair air conditioners throughout Gaithersburg, MD.