Air Conditioner Help

[jbell1981]

Today the outside part of our central air became frozen and there is no cold air coming out of the vents. The ice is formed along the refrigerant lines and around the motor on the inside and is about 1 inch think. Any ideas of what this could be and any type of quick fix? I don't think I can make it this weekend with out AC.

Thanks

[harvey lee]

I talked with a buddy of mine that said his sons house had the same problem.He thought that either the filter was very dirty or the freon was low.I personally dont know but this is what he said.Yes,you need your air to watch the cup race Sunday.Good luck in our fantasy leaque.

[Bobby Bass]

Clean your filters..

[Ryan_V]

Don't have any idea what is wrong, but just have to give you my deepest condolances!!! my air went out the day before the memorial day weekend when it was almost as hot as this weekend. $2200 and a new unit and coil later, I'm good to go!! best money I've ever spent!! good luck with your problem!!! hope you can get someone out soon and it is a quick and easy fix!!

[united jigsticker]

$550 today for a new A-Coil on an A/C system that is 1 year old...

I feel your pain.

[King Canada]

You'll be OK if you thaw it out, change the air filters and make sure you haven't closed of some vents. It's just not moving enough air and consequently freezing up. Start out by not setting the thermostat quite so low.

[jipper]

Use the cheapest filter you can buy .60cent ones. The 3m filters don't allow enough air to go past and its freezing up your a-coil. and its making everything work twice as hard.

[markzeke]

Had the exact same problem. When the AC repairman showed up, he stated I was low on freon. He charged the system and it has worked perfectly. My system was new and when they did the origianal charge to it, he suspected there was an air "bubble" giving them false readings of being full.

GOOD LUCK

[jbell1981]

Thanks guys. I will clean/replace the filters when I get home and hopefully will be back in bussiness.

[King Canada]

Sometimes heating contractors fill the Unit before install. Then when the piping is added the system is already low on coolant. Hope you didn't have to pay for the service.

[pikechaser]

if its freezing up its either a airflow prob(dirty filter- plugged a-coil-dirty blower wheel on furnace) or its low on refrigerant. start by letting it thaw and be sure your filter is clean. where you set that thermostat isnt gonna matter..if that doesnt work probly gonna need service...have you had any problems in the past?

[zent]

jbell, The most common cause of a frosted up A coil is a dirty filter as mentioned before. The ice you are seeing on the suction line all the way back to the compressor suggests no air transfer through the coil, do not let the compressor run like this as damage can result from slugging liquid refrigerant. Turn off the condensing unit, outside at the disconect and let the blower moter in your furnace run until the coil is completely thawed out. Check the filter to see if it is plugged, if not check the intake side of the A coil for dirt or something blocking the air flow. I don't think your unit is low on refrigerant or it wouldn't frost all the way back to the side of the compressor. Good luck, Zent

[united jigsticker]

Quote:

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Today the outside part of our central air became frozen and there is no cold air coming out of the vents. The ice is formed along the refrigerant lines and around the motor on the inside and is about 1 inch think.

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Doesn't sound like the A-coil is frosted up.

If it was, then at least the air going past it would be nice a cold

[backlash 1]

One thing to do is check your condensing unit outside. I checked mine this year for the first time in 5 years, and it was just clogged solid. Basically it looks like radiator fins 360 degrees around the fan blade inside the metal housing. Take a garden hose with sprayer attatchment and spray off all the crud collecting on these coils. It doesn't collect on the blade side but on the other side. Mine works 100% better now.

[jbell1981]

All it took was a filter replacement. Its thawed out now and blowing nice cold air. Thanks again for the help.

[nytelyter]

if it was frosted solid air would not pass thru it. sounds like a brief shut down and a new filter fixed it right up. but i would however also recomend ,after the heat passes, doing the spray out of the outside condenser unit. by reomveing the top cover and spraying from the inside out. careful with the water pressure as you do not want to fold over any ot those very thin fins. this should be done at least every other year. and for those of you with window units this is also recommended pull those cabinits off and clean them out. the will run more effectively and efficiently. good luck and stay cool. ... paul

[fishermn]

Good timing. After seeing your post, I got to thinking that my Heat pump's cooling efficiency seeme poor lately. Clogged filter had led to 2/3 of the cooling coil being froze solid! Took 16 hours to completely thaw it out, thankfully I wasnt home for most of that time!!