Derek ColeGM, Simmons One Hour Heating & Air · AI HVAC Answers

Frozen HVAC System in the Summer

5 Jun 2017 · 2 min

Watch on YouTube

1:33

In this video, HVAC specialist Derek Cole explains why an air conditioning unit may freeze, especially during hot weather. He identifies two primary causes: inadequate airflow—often due to dirty or blocked return filters, or malfunctioning blower components—and low refrigerant levels caused by leaks. Cole advises homeowners to first inspect and replace the unit’s filters as a simple DIY step. If airflow is adequate yet the unit still freezes, he recommends contacting a qualified technician to diagnose and repair refrigerant leaks or other airflow problems that require professional tools. The overall message emphasizes routine filter maintenance and recognizing when professional service is necessary to restore proper cooling performance.

Chapters

One is airflow. We talk a lot about checking and changing your filters inside your return. The reason is because your unit needs to breathe. So when it cannot breathe, it's going to frost up, freeze up, and stop working because now it cannot breathe. Another common aspect of the freezing unit is it's low in refrigerant. The unit itself is not just going to run low on Freon all of a sudden or use the Freon it's been using for 10 years and all of a sudden it needs 2 pounds. Obviously something has changed, it has leaked out somewhere. We need to find that leak, stop it from happening, charge it back to the proper amount, and then you'll be good to go. But the freezing is usually caused by refrigerant and by airflow. So, uh, a thing I would do myself if I saw it freezing up or frozen is to make sure my filters are clean and nothing is stopping the airflow. If everything's good there, then I would call and have a technician come out and check it because most likely you are low on refrigerant. Or again, you can have another airflow problem of, you know, the blower motor, things like that not working. Things you cannot do yourself, but the filter is something you can do yourself. So check that and make sure it's good to go. If it is, then call a professional.
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