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AC Freezing Up
in Arlington, TX
When your AC freezes up, you'll see ice on the copper lines or on the indoor unit itself. This happens when the coil gets too cold, either because not enough warm air is moving across it or because there isn't enough refrigerant. Arlington's humidity makes this worse — there's plenty of moisture in the air to turn into ice when conditions are wrong. If you keep running a frozen unit, the compressor can burn out.
Quick Answer
A frozen AC is almost always caused by restricted airflow or low refrigerant. In Arlington's humid summers, when airflow drops, moisture in the air freezes on the coil instead of draining away. Turn the unit off and let it thaw completely before running it again. Then call (817) 670-3733 to find out why it froze so it doesn't happen again.
Telltale Signs
Warning Signs to Watch For
- Ice or frost on the copper refrigerant lines near the indoor unit
- The AC is blowing warm air even though the unit is running
- Water is leaking or pooling around the indoor air handler
- Airflow from the vents is very weak
- The outdoor unit keeps running but the house won't cool
- You can see ice on the outdoor unit itself
Root Causes
What Causes AC Freezing Up?
Clogged or Dirty Air Filter
A dirty filter blocks the warm air that's supposed to move across the evaporator coil. Without enough warm air, the coil drops below freezing and moisture in the air turns to ice. Arlington homes with pets or dusty conditions can clog a filter in four to six weeks during heavy summer use.
The Fix
Filter Replacement and Coil Inspection
Replacing the filter is the first step. After the unit thaws out completely, a technician checks that the coil is clean and airflow is back to normal before restarting the system.
Low Refrigerant Level
When refrigerant is low, the pressure in the system drops and the coil gets colder than it's supposed to. That causes it to freeze. This is a leak problem, not a simple recharge problem — the refrigerant doesn't just disappear on its own. Older units in homes built before 2000 in areas like Southeast Arlington often run R-22 refrigerant, which is no longer made and harder to find.
The Fix
Leak Repair and Refrigerant Recharge
A technician finds and fixes the leak, then recharges the system to the correct level. If the unit runs R-22, the cost to keep it going goes up every year, and replacement is worth discussing.
Self-Diagnosis
Which Cause Applies to You?
Check the signs you're observing to narrow down the likely root cause before your inspection.
| What You're Seeing | Clogged or Dirty Air Filter | Low Refrigerant Level |
|---|---|---|
| Airflow from vents is noticeably weak | ||
| Filter is gray and clogged when you pull it out | ||
| Ice forms even after you put in a clean filter | ||
| System has frozen up multiple times this season | ||
| Water puddle under the indoor unit after the ice melts |
Free Inspection
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