It seems ironic to complain about one of the units inside your air conditioner being frozen, especially since the main function of your air conditioning system is to provide cold air in the first place. If your condenser coils are frozen over with a thick layer of ice, however, not only will your system not run as efficiently as it could, it could overheat the motor and cause the entire unit to fail.

Fortunately, frozen condenser coils are one of the easiest air conditioning repairs to diagnose. Many times, the homeowner themselves can pinpoint the issue and possibly even treat it, though if you need any assistance at all, be sure to contact an HVAC professional for help. Below are some things you should check first.

The Airflow

Ideally, your air filter should be changed every 3 to 6 months to avoid blocking the unit and allow maximum airflow throughout the house. If it's clogged, hot air won't be able to reach your system, then your unit won't have warm air inside the system, and finally, the condenser lines will freeze. Furthermore, you should also check around the air conditioning unit itself to see if any debris has wedged up next to it. If it has, remove the debris and build a barrier to protect the unit if necessary.

The Refrigerant

The refrigerant inside your condenser lines is vital to ensuring that the transfer process of converting hot air into cold air takes place. If the refrigerant is low, your condenser lines won't be able to accomplish this, leaving an icy buildup around the condenser coils that only gets larger with time. This is definitely one job that you'll need to hire out since refrigerant can be dangerous if you come into contact with it, but it's also illegal to release into the air intentionally.

The Condenser Lines

Before you call in an air conditioning repair technician, you should also check the condenser lines themselves to see if there is a layer of dirt and grime underneath the ice that is built up. If there is, grab a rag and wipe down the lines once you've knocked the ice off. This blockage can stop the transfer process from taking place and is one of the main reasons why you should have air conditioning maintenance performed on a regular basis, to prevent the need for such repairs. If this situation is left too long, your system will eventually stop working altogether.

For more information about air conditioning repair, contact a local AC technician.