It’s a bizarre look but a common one. It’s common for ice to form at the top of your air conditioner even during the warmest months of the year. There are many conditions that can bring about this condition:

Air conditioner freeze ups due to restricted air flow

According to HVAC contractors, anything that restricts air flow in your air conditioner will cause the temperature in the evaporator coil to drop below freezing. When this happens, humidity in the air will collect on the coil causing ice to build-up and greatly reduce the cooling capacity of the air conditioner. There are many things that can restrict air flow in your unit. The most common being: dirt build-up in the evaporator coil, dirty filters, undersized ducts and many others.

To avoid freezing you should get rid of any substances that might restrict air flow. You should change air filters regularly. You should also regularly hire an AC repair professional to inspect the system and get rid of any items that might prevent air to flow effectively.

Air conditioner freeze ups brought about by problems with the unit’s refrigeration system

When the refrigerant is leaking or the refrigerant levels are too low, the pressure can drop in the air conditioner evaporator coil. When this happens, moisture in the air freezes and accumulates on the coil. To avoid the condition you should hire an AC contractor to test your system for any problems. The contractor should inspect the system for leaks, weakened or damaged parts. The professional should also refill the coolant and ensure that the AC is working perfectly.

To avoid the high prices that are common with emergency AC repair, it’s recommended that you schedule AC inspection before the peak season. This way the contractors will be able to pick the problems and fix them before you start using the AC. Due to this, you have peace of mind as you know that your unit is in great shape.

Air conditioner freeze ups as a result of low outdoor temperature

While most of the AC freeze ups are due to the malfunctioning of the unit, air conditioning maintenance professionals have been able to show that using your air conditioner while the outdoor temperatures are too low can result in freezing up of your system. To prevent your unit from freezing you should avoid using your unit at temperatures below 60º F. In addition to protecting your unit from freezing, using your AC at high temperatures also helps you to save money and energy as the unit doesn’t work too hard.