If you want to get more out of your air conditioner and rely a whole lot less on having to call in ac repair albuquerque, then you need to be aware of the many dangers your air conditioner system can face. One of the most hazardous impacts that can have you living without an air conditioner for any length of time is the threat of it freezing up.
There are many things that can cause it to do just that and when you notice any accumulation of frost on one or more of the main components, you are definitely facing a potential problem. Many homeowners may think that a little frost along the exterior of a pipe or the unit is no big deal but this is not normal and it could leave you facing serious repair or replacement costs.
Why Frost Is Bad
So, what’s the issue anyway? Air conditioners produce cold air so frost is a natural by-product…or is it? But this is an incorrect assessment and any frost or ice found on the components of your air conditioner means you need to stop running it. That’s why it’s critical to diagnose an air conditioner that is freezing up earlier than later, otherwise you could severely damage the system.
So, here are the main reasons why frost is bad for your air conditioner and the reasons why you may be finding it on your unit or pipes.
Blocked Airflow
An air conditioner requires unimpeded air flow in order to work properly. Without it, the water within can freeze to the evaporator coil and the temperature of the coil drops below freezing. So, what’s blocking the air flow? Could be a number of things, but the most likely problem is a dirty air filter. Too many hvac systems are destroyed simply because the homeowner neglected to swap out a $10 air filter every two to three months. Now they’re replacing parts of the system for $1000.
Lower Temperatures
For whatever reason, you may find yourself relying on your air conditioning even when it’s not all that hot outside. If you are running your unit while it’s lower than 60 degrees, you are likely to see frost starting to develop on the unit. Perhaps you are running the system during the day, when it’s warm, but forget to shut it off when night falls and the temperatures drop.
Either way, you may want to be more cognizant of when you are running the system and when you really need to run it in order to stay comfortable. You won’t just save the system from getting damaged you may also save some bucks on your electricity bill while you’re at it. If it’s cooler out, open the windows to let the cool air in and give the air conditioner a rest.
Refrigerant
Your air conditioner needs refrigerant in order to operate properly. When your system is low on refrigerant, that means it’s unable to absorb heat and the system can begin to freeze as a result. But there’s another issue, refrigerant is not consumed. It should stay at the same level at all times. So, if your ac is low, there’s a leak some place.