Ice deposits can easily form on AC coils when the unit is running for a long time, especially in summers. If ice builds up on your air conditioning coils, then your room will not cool down as efficiently as before. This is because these frosted coils obstruct proper airflow. Follow these nifty strategies to remove ice and restore normal operation of the coils in your air conditioning unit.
Shut Down And Disconnect The AC
Before proceeding with the ice removal process, make sure you shut down and disconnect your air conditioning unit from the power source. Wait for a few hours so the ice can start to melt. Don't try to jab the ice with screwdrivers or any other sharp objects when it is too hard because you may end up puncturing or damaging the AC coils, which will result in a need for major repairs and replacement of AC parts.
Pull Out Ice Blocks And Clean The Coils
Once the ice starts thawing, begin by pulling pieces away from the coils. When the buildup of ice has been significantly reduced, clean them thoroughly because excessive dirt may have caused ice formation in the first place. Brush the coils with a soft toothbrush and soap water to remove any debris from them and dry with a clean cloth once done.
Get Refrigerant Levels Checked
Refrigerant is transported between your AC coils, where pressure is used to transfer heat out of the system to keep the room cool. Refrigerant leaks or falling levels will reduce the pressure in the evaporator coils of your air conditioning system. This prevents proper heat transfer and will cause moisture to freeze and accumulate on the coils. If you think the problem lies with the refrigerant, get an AC technician to check it immediately to prevent ice build up problems in the future.
Check Your Air Conditioning Unit
If the problem of ice buildup was because of low refrigerant, then filling it up should be enough to prevent this problem in the future. Reconnect the AC to the power source and check whether the problem has been fixed after running the machine for a few hours. Before reconnecting your AC, make sure the coils are completely dry from the cleaning process.
If the problem isn't with your refrigerant levels, then your AC technician will need to troubleshoot for other causes of ice formation based on the performance of your unit. If you notice ice ever starting to form on your air conditioning unit, be sure to remove it and address any problems quickly to prevent major repairs later.
