Let’s be real for a second, Amarillo summers are no joke. When that sun’s blazing down, your AC becomes your best friend. But what happens when it suddenly freezes up? Not only are you left sweating buckets, but now you’re also scratching your head, wondering what went wrong.
Don’t worry. You’re not alone. AC units freezing up during summer happens more often than you think, especially here in good ol’ Amarillo. Let’s break down why this happens and, more importantly, how to stop it.
Need a trusted plumber? Call Plumbing Amarillo TX for fast & reliable service.
Why Does Your AC Freeze in the Heat?
It sounds wild, right? How can something freeze when it’s hotter than a skillet outside?
Well, think of it like this. Your AC is a hard-working machine. It cools your home by pulling in warm air, cooling it with refrigerant (that’s the special cooling liquid inside), and sending that cool air back into your rooms. If anything messes up that flow, like blocked air, low refrigerant, or dirty parts, your AC starts icing up like a freezer gone rogue.
And once it freezes, it stops working right, or stops working at all. That’s not what you want when the thermometer’s pushing 100°F.
1. Keep That Air Filter Clean
Think of your air filter like your AC’s lungs. If the filter’s all clogged up with dust and pet hair, air can’t flow through properly. When air gets stuck, the coils inside get too cold, and ice forms. That’s a recipe for a frozen AC and a hot, cranky household.
Pro Tip: Check your air filter every month in summer. If it looks dirty or gray, swap it out. Filters are cheap and easy to change, way easier than dealing with a frozen AC.
As explained by Service Experts, a dirty filter is one of the key reasons your AC might freeze up during the summer months, so staying on top of it is crucial.
2. Check All Your Air Vents
Ever set a couch or shelf right in front of an air vent? It might seem harmless, but you’re actually choking off airflow, which makes your AC work harder, and yep, freeze up.
Here’s a good rule: Let the air move freely. Walk around your house and make sure all vents are open and unblocked. Let that cool air move like a breeze across the Texas plains. According to Morelli Heating and Air, blocked vents can easily cause your AC to freeze.
3. Don’t Crank the Thermostat to the Bottom
We’ve all been there, you walk into a hot house, and the first thing you do is slam the thermostat down to 60°F. But here’s the thing: doing that doesn’t cool your house faster, it just makes your AC run too hard for too long.
That kind of overload can make the coils ice up. Instead, keep it at a reasonable setting, somewhere between 72°F and 75°F. Your AC will be happy, and so will your electric bill
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4. Low Refrigerant Levels?
If your AC keeps freezing up and you’ve checked the filter and vents, it might be low on refrigerant. That’s the coolant that helps pull heat out of the air.
When refrigerant is low, the pressure drops, and the coils get too cold, then the ice party starts. But here’s the thing: only a licensed professional can check and refill refrigerant. It’s not a DIY job.
Good News: If you’re in Amarillo, we at Plumbing Amarillo TX are just a call away. We can check your refrigerant and get things flowing again, no stress.
5. Clean Those Coils Inside and Out
Let’s talk about dirty coils. The coils inside and outside your unit can get caked with dust, dirt, and even leaves. Dirty coils can’t let heat escape, so the system gets too cold and freezes up.
You can clean the outside coils with a gentle hose spray (make sure the unit’s turned off first). For deeper cleaning, especially inside, give us a call, we’ll get it done safely and right.
6. Don’t Run the AC All Day, Every Day
We get it, it’s hot, and you want to stay cool. But running your AC non-stop is like running a horse without rest. It’s going to wear out.
Try giving your AC a break now and then. Use ceiling fans, keep curtains closed during the hottest part of the day, and open windows in the evening when it’s cooler.
Your AC needs time to rest, and it’ll work better when it’s not going full blast all the time. According to Bryant Lincoln, balancing AC use with other cooling methods can help prevent freeze-ups.
7. Watch for Signs Early
If your AC starts blowing warm air, runs non-stop, or sounds funny (like rattling or hissing), that’s your early warning sign. It’s your unit’s way of saying, “Help me out here!”
Don’t wait until it’s frozen solid. Catch problems early, and you can avoid the hassle, and the sweat.
When to Call in Help
Sometimes, no matter what you do, your AC still freezes up. That’s when it’s time to call the pros.
At Plumbing Amarillo TX, we handle more than plumbing, we know AC systems, and we know Amarillo weather. Whether it’s a frozen unit, low refrigerant, or just a dirty coil that needs cleaning, we’ll take care of it fast.
Final Thoughts
Stopping your AC from freezing up in summer isn’t hard. Just give it the love it needs, clean filters, clear vents, the right temperature settings, and a little help now and then. Remember, an AC that’s freezing is an AC that’s not cooling. Don’t let it ruin your summer.
Need a trusted plumber? Call Plumbing Amarillo TX for fast & reliable service.
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