One of the very most frustrating problems with a window air conditioner is if it starts to ice up. For the owner of the air conditioner is can be perplexing.
When this problem occurs most people immediately think it is the fault of the refrigerant gas. More regularly the cause is the result of other difficulties.
It is most often the consequence of poor airflow.
Any time the airflow through an air conditioner is restricted the cooling system becomes affected. If taken up to extremes the critical pressure-temperature balance of the cooling coil can be changed. Should they drop too low the cooling coils surface temperature can drop below the dew point temperature of the room. At these times the cooling coil will quickly operate as a refrigerator instead of an air conditioner. Instead of simply cooling the air it will collect and hold moisture. The moisture will freeze onto the cooling coil where it’ll appear as ice.
The primary job of an air conditioner would be to de-humidify, not refrigerate, the area air. By detatching the moisture from the room air it gives us a feeling of comfort. To do this although temperature of the cooling coil should always be greater than the room’s dew point. If it is permitted to drop below the dew point the air conditioning equipment will start to produce ice.
With this information at heart the following are several problems that can result in your air conditioner icing up:
1. Dirty filter.
To avoid this replace or clean your filter every little while of the cooling season. In case a smoker do it every week. To clean filter remove from air conditioning equipment, wet thoroughly, and lay in bottom of a sink. Sprinkle detergent (laundry detergent works well) onto filter surface. Allow to sit for a couple of minutes. Add warm water to sink so that filter is totally covered. Soak for quarter-hour. Remove from water and rinse. Allow to air dry.
2. Dirty or blocked cooling coil.
An air conditioning equipment requires regular maintenance. Usually every two or three years. Every year would be best, but this could be costly unless you do-it-yourself. During cleaning the cooling coil ought to be degreased and washed to eliminate accumulated dirt and debris. Degreasing is important to remove any coatings on the coil. If not done greasy residue can trap and hold air borne particles. They will build up on the coil and affect heat transfer. If left too long this can bring about the cooling coil becoming partially blocked. This will produce a lower airflow.
3. Dirty or blocked condenser coil.
The condenser coil is the one guiding the air conditioning equipment. Its job would be to dissipate the heat that’s being removed from the room. Similar to the cooling coil it too must be cleaned every few years. Since the condenser is externally of the home it becomes exposed to lots of dirt, pollen, and smog. Since airflow direction is from inside to outside it is the inside surface of the condenser that becomes dirty. Therefore to clean this part the air conditioner must be completely disassembled. Or even cleaned regularly an airflow blockage here may also burn up the compressor. Before this happens though the lowering of airflow will affect the entire operation. This can result in the compressor efficiency dropping, the internal pressure-temperature relationships being affected, and the resultant production of ice on the cooling coil.
4. Inefficient compressor.
As describe above an inefficient compressor can cause icing up. If the compressor struggles to pump the refrigerant properly the cooing coil may not get cold enough to shut off the cold control. It can hover just above the take off point. At these times the cooling coil will quickly refrigerate. Ice on the cooling coil will result. If the compressor itself is at fault the air conditioner will have to be replaced. But remember that many icing problems are misdiagnosed as bad compressors if they were actually among the other faults discussed on this page.
5. Not enough refrigerant. An excessive amount of refrigerant.
Both scenarios can result in and icing condition. If your air conditioner was repaired recently suspect an excessive amount of refrigerant. Mixed with an airflow problem this could be difficult to diagnose. If not repaired recently then suspect airflow problems before considering a refrigerant imbalance.
6. Outdoor temperature too low.
Icing can occur if the exterior temperature falls below 60 Degrees Fahrenheit. If the exterior temperature is too low the air conditioning equipment pressure-temperatures can be affected. Once the outside temperature falls the cooling coil temperature may also fall. So much that the coil will refrigerate the area air. This will result in the cooling coil starting to produce ice. This problem is more frequent in the fall. If it is hot during the day but cold during the night suspect this problem because the cause of icing up. If 商用冷氣機 is suspected try running the air conditioning equipment in the fan only position. Leave the re-circulating vent open. This can circulate the area air without cooling it, while attracting a small amount of outside air during the night.