When you notice that your air conditioning unit isn't cooling your home as well as it should be, you probably run out to check out the unit to see what could be causing the problem. One thing that could be causing the unit to fail is ice build-up. Seriously? It's 90 degrees outside and your air conditioning unit has ice preventing it from cooling your home! What causes the ice and what can you do to rectify the situation?

What causes the air conditioning unit to freeze?

There are two common problems that could cause the ice issue.

1. Evaporator Coil Issues – If the evaporator coil isn't getting enough air, it will freeze up. This is because the unit is producing air that isn't being released into your home. Over time, the cool air forms frost on the coil and eventually creates an ice block that will soon damage internal components of the unit.
2. Low Refrigerant – The refrigerant in the unit helps to carry the cool air from the unit into your home. If the refrigerant runs low, the unit cannot push the cool air through the system and the ice will begin to form putting a stop to cool air flow to the home.

What do you do if your air conditioning unit has an ice build-up?

Before you run and call for a professional to come out and make repairs, try the following steps to see if you can get the cool air flowing without the repair bill.

1. Turn off the air conditioning unit from the thermostat inside your home.
2. Examine the air conditioning unit to ensure that nothing is preventing the air from flowing through it. Change the filters and trim away any bushes or plants that may be preventing air from freely flowing through the system.
3. Give the ice a few hours to thaw. Once the ice has thawed, turn on the unit and see if the unit begins working as it should.
4. Check the unit in 24 hours. If ice begins to form on the unit even after you have opened the air flow, contact your local repair technician. The technician will check the refrigerant levels and inspect the condenser coils. It is possible that the ice has damaged an internal component and needs further repairs.

In some cases, thawing the ice is all that is needed, but there are times in which professional assistance is required. If you need assistance, contact an HVAC company like Streamline Services, Inc.