🧊 Why Is My AC Freezing Up? Here’s What You Really Need to Know

Let’s be real—when your air conditioner is literally freezing, something’s not right. Ice on your indoor coil? Yep, that’s not a “cool feature.” It’s a sign your AC needs help.The good news? There are usually only two main reasons this happens:
  1. Lack of airflow
  2. Low refrigerant
Let’s break it down in plain English.

🚫 Blocked Airflow = Frozen AC

Sometimes, fixing the problem is as easy as checking your air filter. If it looks like it’s been through a dust storm in Arizona, change it. Also, make sure all your vents are open—closing them off can actually mess with your system’s ability to breathe.But not every airflow issue is that simple.I once had a customer whose kids were tossing trash down the return vent like it was a carnival game. We’re talking empty cigarette packs, chip bags, candy wrappers—you name it. All of it stuck to the underside of the coil. Air couldn’t move, and boom—the system froze up like a popsicle. We had to remove the entire coil and deep-clean it. Not fun. Definitely not cheap.

❄️ Low Refrigerant = Trouble (But Not Always Doom)

Low refrigerant is the other big culprit. This can happen from a leak, or from a restriction in the system. And yes, fixing this usually requires a licensed HVAC tech—you’re dealing with pressure, specialized parts, and sometimes even brazing (fancy word for welding with fire).Now here’s the part a lot of people don’t hear:Just because it’s leaking refrigerant doesn’t mean the whole unit has to be replaced.Even if it’s old. Even if it uses an outdated refrigerant. You can sometimes use a drop-in replacement, which isn’t perfect—it might be less efficient and bump your electric bill up—but it can get you through one more season.Just don’t ask your AC guy to “just top it off.” We hate those calls. It might run for a few weeks, but then the refrigerant leaks out again, and suddenly we’re the bad guy. And we can’t warranty refrigerant if it’s leaking.

🛠️ What Should You Do First?

Here’s the step-by-step plan:
  1. Turn the system off. Seriously. Let it defrost.
  2. Check your air filter and open all vents.
  3. Still frozen after that? Call your HVAC company.
Or better yet—call us at Reliability Home Services.📞  443.399.8663🌐 www.reliabilityhome.comWe’ll get you sorted.And hey—stay frosty, people. 😎