It might seem backwards for an air conditioner to develop ice buildup during the hottest days of summer, but this is actually a fairly common issue with a handful of typical causes. Old Glory Air Conditioning and Heating explains why this happens even when outdoor temperatures are anything but cold.
When airflow across the evaporator coil is restricted, the coil can become too cold and cause moisture in the air to freeze directly onto its surface, regardless of how hot it is outside. This restriction is often caused by something as simple as a dirty air filter.
A refrigerant leak reduces the pressure within your system, which can cause the evaporator coil to run colder than it should, leading to ice formation even during normal outdoor temperatures.
If too many vents are closed or blocked by furniture, this reduces overall airflow through the system, similar to the effect of a dirty filter, and can contribute to the same freezing issue on the coil.
The blower motor is responsible for moving air across the evaporator coil. If it's failing or running at reduced capacity, insufficient airflow can result, again leading to the coil becoming too cold and freezing.
If your air conditioner is run during a cooler stretch of weather, particularly overnight, the reduced heat load can occasionally contribute to freezing conditions, especially if combined with any of the other airflow-related issues.
Continuing to operate an air conditioner with visible ice on the coil or refrigerant lines can cause further damage to the compressor, since the system isn't functioning as designed and additional strain can result.
If you notice ice on your system, it's best to turn off the air conditioner entirely, though you can leave the fan running to help the ice melt, and contact a professional rather than continuing normal operation.
Because several different issues can cause this seemingly contradictory freezing problem, a professional technician needs to properly diagnose the specific cause to prevent it from recurring after the ice has been addressed.
If your air conditioner is freezing up despite the summer heat, our team can quickly identify the underlying cause and restore your system to normal, reliable operation.
