Winter’s in full swing, and you might have noticed some issues with your HVAC system malfunctioning or not working at all. Poorly maintained heating and cooling systems suffer tremendously when colder temperatures hit.
A product of severe weather is a frozen HVAC system in your home. More specifically, you could have frozen HVAC coils that need to be defrosted and cleaned off. Here are some preventive measures you can take to keep your HVAC system from freezing over.
Dirty Air Filter
A dirty air filter is the number one cause of a frozen HVAC system. The air filter is responsible for cleaning the air circulated into your home. It becomes clogged with dirt, pollen, debris, and other allergens over time. When the filter becomes clogged, airflow is restricted, causing frozen HVAC coils in your unit.
To prevent frozen HVAC coils, you should change your filter often. Typically, you should change your filter once every 3 to 6 months (depending on your filter) but how often is really needed depends on a variety of factors, such as:
- What type of filter do you have?
- Are children or pets in your home?
- Is your home in the city or country?
- What season is it?
- Is your system running often?
If you aren’t 100% sure when to change your filter, check it monthly to keep an eye on how dirty it gets. During regular HVAC maintenance, our professionals will inspect your filter and replace it before it leads to major problems, like a frozen HVAC system.
Airflow Inspection
Airflow issues can be a significant reason for why your heating and cooling system isn’t functioning correctly. Blocked vent returns and registers prevent adequate airflow, causing your system to work harder with no way to release the cooled or heated air. If your vents and registers are clear from any obstructions, your problem may be poor duct design during installation. The ductwork could also be incorrectly sized.
If you have a frozen HVAC system due to inadequate airflow, call Douglas Cooling & Heating for HVAC maintenance. Our trained professionals will inspect your ductwork and offer solutions if the design is faulty. If there is a clog, we will clear out any obstructions blocking proper airflow to your home.
Dirty Evaporator Coil
The condensate lines drain excess moisture from your HVAC system during the hotter months. The water can become stuck in the line if there is a clog and then when colder temperatures set it, the excess water freezes. With frozen water in your lines, you could be left with frozen HVAC coils as well. Evaporator coils become clogged with dust, hair, grime, and other contaminants over the course of a season. Dirty coils can easily become frozen if there is moisture trapped inside all of the materials clogging it. Frozen coils restrict airflow and cause your system to malfunction or not work at all.
The best prevention for frozen HVAC coils is to have your coils cleaned by a professional. Douglas Cooling & Heating checks the evaporator coils and the rest of your unit’s lines during scheduled HVAC maintenance. You save money and can prevent a frozen HVAC system in the future when the problem is caught early.
The leading cause for a frozen HVAC system is restricted airflow in your unit. Keep your airflow clear with help from Douglas Cooling & Heating. Schedule HVAC maintenance before the cold sets in and freezes your unit up.
