On any sweltering day in summer, noticing ice formation along your air conditioning system’s pipes could prove pretty surprising. It isn’t a great sighting at all. But what does this mean? What does the formation of ice on the air conditioner pipes mean? First, ice isn’t supposed to form anywhere on your heating and air conditioning system. Hence, you notice that your unit has an underlying problem that needs the attention of an air conditioner installation professional.

Therefore, you should have the technician come over for an inspection of your air conditioning system to determine the exact cause of the problem. Several things could go wrong with your air conditioner resulting in frozen coils or condensate pipes. Fortunately, your technician can determine the cause and take the required steps to address it. After their inspection, the professional will determine whether the following issues below are the reason for ice formation.

What Are the Signs That the AC Pipes Are Frozen? 

When the air conditioner’s pipes are frozen, they show some signs that you should watch out for. Below are the signs to ensure that you are on the lookout. However, it doesn’t mean that because you haven’t seen some of the condensate drain lines aren’t frozen. It is still highly possible that ice might be forming somewhere that it should not.

Stopped or Warm Air Flow

Has your air conditioner stopped working? That is a huge sign of an underlying issue. Although various problems could lead to this, there is a possibility that air conditioner pipes might have been frozen. Suppose the air conditioner installation technician did not install the unit properly. In that case, the ice might start forming on the coils, resulting in the reduced efficiency of the unit, hence little to no conditioned air. Warm or no air flowing from the vents and registers means it’s time to turn off the air conditioner and have it inspected further by a technician.

Formation of Excessive Moisture Around Your AC Unit

Have you noticed a pool of water around the air conditioner recently? That could be an oil leak, refrigerant, or overflowing condensation. However, the other possibility is that it could be ice melting. The formation of puddles of water around your air conditioner means that the condensate is not draining properly. The excessive moisture might turn into water damage for your Prescott Valley, AZ, home before long and could also impact your air conditioner. To prevent this, have an air conditioner installation technician check the condensate drain lines and retrofit them properly to ensure a seamless condensate flow. Is an unusually large amount of water collecting near your indoor unit? Immediately shut off the air conditioning system and have it checked by an AC repair technician.

Why Are Your AC Pipes Freezing?

This is a question you’re likely to ask yourself whenever you determine the pool of water in your indoor unit. However, there are several reasons for this, not just one. From improper air conditioner installation to a broken fan, below are the most common reasons why unwanted ice might form on the air conditioning unit.

Faulty Thermostat

If the thermostat is malfunctioning, it will undoubtedly make your air conditioning system start functioning inefficiently. The thermostat issues signal when the unit should cool your indoor space or even stop. It works like the brains of your air conditioner. Hence, any problem with the thermostat makes the entire air conditioner malfunction. If the air conditioning system starts working harder to cool your home, it has to run for a very long time, meaning the air conditioning coils might freeze. This could also arise if you run your air conditioner while the outside temperatures are really low. Air conditioner installation technicians recommend that you wait until your home is at least in the upper seventies before turning on the air conditioning. If ice starts to build on those pipes, switch the thermostat to a fan setting.

Dirty Air Filters

Did you know that dirty filters could also freeze your air conditioner pipes? Dirty filters are a common problem that results in freezing the air conditioning pipes. If the air conditioning system’s air filters are dirty, they prevent the warm air from flowing. As a result, the coils become too cold because the coolant does not carry the warm air inside your Prescott Valley, AZ, home to the outdoor unit. Do you suspect that the air filters weren’t properly installed? Then you might want to have an air conditioner installation technician come for an inspection and to have them fixed. You should have air conditioning servicing done regularly to ensure the filters are clean.

Leaking Refrigerant Lines

Another potential reason for freezing the AC pipes is a refrigerant leak. The evaporator coil receives pressure refrigerant delivered there, where it gets hotter from the surrounding air. A leak results in a drop in pressure, which causes the evaporator coil & refrigerant lines to freeze over initially. If so, get in touch with an air conditioner installation technician immediately to address the problem and recharge the refrigerant. Some coolants contain freon, a hazardous toxin to breathe.

Blocked Condensate Lines

The water from the humidity produced as the hot air in your home cools is drained out via the condensate pipes. This moisture may back up and cause water damage if these pipes become clogged with debris or dust. Occasionally, the moisture will turn to ice. Ensure that the condensate pipes are correctly draining. Have an air conditioner installation expert check the condensate drain lines when they come for maintenance or replacement.

We Can Help!

One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Prescott is a renowned air conditioner installation company that has helped many Prescott Valley, AZ residents. If your AC pipes are frozen, there are measures that we can take to address the problem. Contact us today for any AC installation, repair, or even servicing.

Photo By Igor Levin at Shutterstock