Month: November 2020

We’re well aware this holiday season will look a lot different than anything that came before. Despite this, there are a few traditions we’re holding on to. No matter what, we’ll still cook delicious food to celebrate the season, put out decorations, and of course light some scented candles to get in the festive mood. There’s also one thing no holiday season can be without: presents. While you’re gifting your family, think about giving a gift to your home. We’re sharing the reasons why your home should have an air scrubber this holiday season.

First, what is An Air Scrubber?

Simply put, an air scrubber is an addon to your existing HVAC system. Air scrubbers are installed directly into the ductwork around your furnace, often right above the air filter. When the air scrubber is in your HVAC system, it acts as the ultimate line of defense against indoor air contaminates. This includes viruses, bacteria, dust, dander, and anything that could be tracked in on your shoes.

To achieve this, air scrubbers are outfitted with intense UV lights. The UV waves are at such a high, concentrated level that they will eliminate most airborne viruses, bacteria, and other contaminants as they pass by the light.

Kill Any Hidden Viruses or Bacteria

This year, more than ever, we’re focused on the health and safety of everyone in our home. The air scrubber is a great way to make sure your home remains a place of safety. Air scrubbers are lab tested, and they can reduce 90% of airborne pathogens, including: E. Coli, Listeria, Staph, Strep, Hep A, Swine Flu, Bird Flu, and MRSA.

Make Your Home Cleaning a Breeze with an Air Scrubber

Another reason your home needs an air scrubber is that it makes cleaning and dusting a breeze. Air scrubbers clump dust particles together. This makes them heavy, so they fall out of the air in large clusters. When dust is grouped into larger clusters, it’s easier to see and easier to clean. As air is filtered through your HVAC system, an air scrubber will give it an extra clean from light waves and a special catalytic process that produces ions that brings the dust particles together.

Eradicate Indoor Air Pollutants

Believe it or not, there are indoor air pollutants lurking in nearly every room. From that bottle of dry shampoo to the cleaning supplies you use; they’re all coming for your indoor air. Even scented candles can contribute to indoor air pollution. As strong scents from these products are released into the air, they also produce particulate matter, in this case soot. An air scrubber is one of our favorite ways to rid your home of harmful particulates.

Cut Through Any Strong Kitchen Smells

Are you planning on cooking this Thanksgiving? While we all know how nice it can be to have the smell of cooking turkey waft through your home, no one wants that lingering longer than it needs. As an air scrubber purifies the air in your home, it also works to remove any odors from your home. This also includes pet smells and anything the kids may drag in.

Does Your Home Need an Air Scrubber this Holiday Season?

If you want to learn more about how an air scrubber can enhance the air you breathe, schedule an appointment with one of the HVAC experts at Service Champions. They can look at your home and existing HVAC system to see if an air scrubber is right for you. If you live in Los Angeles, Orange, or Riverside counties, schedule your appointment today. Call the number at the top of the screen, or click here to book an appointment online.

We’ve written extensively about the care and keeping of your sink during the Thanksgiving holiday, but what about the rest of your plumbing? In this post, we’ll discuss other Thanksgiving plumbing problems and how to avoid them.

Don’t Run the Dishwasher and Disposal at the Same Time

When it comes to clean up and dishes, oftentimes, we try to be as efficient as possible. While this will help speed through the process of washing dishes, it will not help your plumbing. If you didn’t know, your garbage disposal and dishwasher share the same drain. So, using them both at the same time could lead to a traffic jam.

In some cases, if a homeowner runs the dishwasher and disposal at the same time, food scraps from the disposal can end up all over your nice, clean dishes. Keep your dishes safe and be sure to run them separately.

Flushable Wipes Aren’t Meant to Be Flushed

It is the unfortunate truth that wipes are not flushable. Yes, even when the package says they are “flushable.” These wipes do not break down in water, instead they can get caught on existing backups and cause a clog. When a wipe or cloth is described as flushable, it means the debris can make it out of your toilet bowl, only to be stuck in your pipes.

Give Your Shower a Break

After Thanksgiving, we are typically flooded with calls from homeowners who want us to take a look at their water heater? Why? Because most of the time the appliance was pushed beyond its limit. When hosting family or other guests, it’s important to make everyone wait at least 15 minutes between each shower.

Showers are incredibly demanding on a home’s plumbing system. Back to back showers, or a shower being used at the same time as the dishwasher mean you’ll quickly run out of hot water, unless you have a tankless water heater. It’s best to let your plumbing take a break between showers and other water heavy tasks.

Don’t Attempt to DIY

When it comes to Thanksgiving plumbing problems, it’s tempting to tackle them on your own. We know there’s a YouTube video for everything. However, just after you’ve finished a large turkey dinner is not the time to teach yourself how to unclog a drain or toilet. If you do experience any plumbing issues over Thanksgiving, we’re begging you to put down the toolkit and call the professionals.

Far too many times we’ve seen homeowners make a problem worse by trying to fix it themselves. We have some resources about cleaning your drains at home, but when it comes to anything bigger than a plunge, leave it to the professionals.

Have Everything Checked out Before Thanksgiving

If you want a stress-free holiday, we recommend booking a plumbing safety inspection. During a plumbing safety inspection, one of our expert plumbers will come to your home and thoroughly examine all parts of your plumbing and check for any problems.

Want to Schedule a Plumbing Safety Inspection?

If you want to schedule a plumbing safety inspection to ensure your home’s pipes are good for the holiday, don’t wait! Our plumbers are already getting booked up and we can’t guarantee an appointment before the holiday. If you live in Los Angeles, Orange, or Riverside county, we’re here to serve you. Simply call the number at the top of the screen or click here to book online.

Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays, and Black Friday isn’t just hectic for stores. It’s one of our plumbers’ busiest days of the year, some places even call it “brown Friday.” Between family, friends, food, and shopping; it’s a holiday that checks every box on the fun list. If you want to keep the holiday fun, you need the most important ingredient: preparation.

We know Thanksgiving this year will probably look a little different than it has in the past. Despite this, Thanksgiving is still a time for lively celebration, even if our definition of fun needs to change a bit. Even if you’re adhering to the CDC’s holiday guidelines, your plumbing, appliances, and HVAC will still bear the brunt of the holiday.

Because we want to help minimize stress during a joyful time, we’re sharing tips for preparing your home for Thanksgiving. They include everything from plumbing and drains, to air and HVAC.

Preparing Your Home for Thanksgiving, Plumbing Style

Our plumbers are running calls on Black Friday for a good reason. During the holidays, most plumbing systems see a surge in use by friends and family. Cooking a Thanksgiving meal is going to put a lot more strain on your kitchen than a routine dinner. This goes for your bathroom plumbing as well. Holiday guests mean your shower, toilet, and sink are being used much more normal.

We understand your home may not be seeing as much traffic this year due to global circumstances, but it’s still a good idea to make sure you’re taking care of you plumbing and taking care of small problems before they become huge messes.

To avoid any potential stressors, Service Champions offers a plumbing safety inspection. Think of it as a tune-up for your plumbing system. Our plumbers make sure to inspect every part of your plumbing system to ensure a stress (and plumber) free Thanksgiving.

During a safety inspection, our plumbers make sure to check 11-points of your plumbing system. During this check they will:

• Conduct a water heater safety inspection
• Inspect all toilets
• Check the main sewer line
• Check all drain lines
• Look for pressurized plumbing
• Inspect for proper ventilation
• Check the pluming insulation
• Look for gas leaks
• Test the quality of your tap water
• Inspect all shutoff valves
• And verify everything is working with your clean out

After thoroughly inspecting everything on this list, your plumber will give an in-depth analysis of your system.

Save Your Sink and Avoid Any Clogging This Thanksgiving

Another great way to prepare your home for the holidays is to make sure your family is on the offense when it comes to the kitchen sink. While most disposals have the word “garbage” in the title, you can’t treat it like a trash can and expect it to function properly on Thanksgiving.

Here are the top things that should never find their way into your kitchen sink:

1. Cooking Oils, Butters, and Fats – All cooking oils turn to a nice liquid when they’re hot. This means many homeowners treat them like a traditional liquid and dump any leftover oils down the drain.The problem is when the oils start to cool and harden. When they’re hot, cooking liquids can drain quickly, but as they cool and harden, you’re left with a gross sludge that will inevitably clog your drain. Instead of pouring liquids down the drain, pour them directly into the trash can or into an old-fashioned coffee can.
2. Eggshells – We once heard a homeowner say that putting eggshells in the garbage disposal helps sharpen the blades. We are sorry to say that this is not true.When eggshells are ground up, the break into tiny shards that add to any preexisting clogs and the egg’s membrane can wrap around the disposal motor. We recommend composting or trashing any eggshells.
3. Coffee Grounds – Somewhere along the line there was a rumor that coffee grounds are water soluble. Unfortunately, they are not. When coffee grounds are dumped down the drain, they add to any mess already lurking in your pipes.
4. Pasta and Rice – One way to quickly clog your sink is to put pasta and rice into the garbage disposal. When these two foods are mixed with water they expand and will keep expanding. For the sake of your pipes, please do not put pasta or rice down the drain.
5. Stringy Vegetables – Have you ever taken of bite of celery only to have small vegetable strings stuck in your teeth? Now, imagine what those excess strings can do to your disposal? Stringy vegetables, such as asparagus, leafy greens, or artichokes, can’t break down enough to be flushed down the sink.
6. Chemical Drain Cleaner – If your sink suddenly starts backing up, your first instinct might be to put a chemical drain cleaner down your pipes. Chemical solutions designed to unclog your drain can cause monumental damage to your pipes, and the whole sewage system.
   Over time, these drain cleaners can corrode pipes, dissolve glue that hold pipes together, and even crack your toilet bowl. Avoid putting any of these items down your drain, you’re one step closer to a stress-free holiday.

Don’t Forget to Prepare Your HVAC Too

Your indoor air quality is important, now more than ever. Another way to prepare your home for Thanksgiving is to make sure your HVAC system is ready for family, festivities, and cooking smells. There are a few things you can do to make sure you’re getting the most out of your HVAC system on the big turkey day. Some of them are:

1. Make Sure to Change Your Air Filter – After fire season, it’s important to check or change the air filter in your HVAC system. Your air filter is the first line of defense from airborne particles.Another bonus of changing your air filter: it saves you money. With a clean air filter, your HVAC system can run at peak efficiency which will help bring down your utility bills.
2. Don’t Run the AC too High – We all know how hot it gets when someone is cooking in the kitchen. Think of cooking all day, that’s going to heat the house. While some homeowners opt to blast the AC as hard as they can, we suggest taking it down a notch or two.After you pull everything out of the oven and turn off the kitchen appliances, make sure to turn down the AC. This will save money on your bills and also help preserve your equipment.
3. Schedule a Tune-Up – Now is a good time to make an appointment. Our expert HVAC technicians inspect every element of your furnace and will make you aware of any issues it may have. Additionally, the perform a professional grade cleaning to make sure any dust, danger, or allergens are out of your system.
4. Consider an Air Scrubber – If your home doesn’t have an air scrubber, you should consider one. An air scrubber is an add-on to your existing HVAC system and adds an extra layer of protection from indoor air contaminates. Bonus, it also helps clear any lingering cooking smells.

Don’t Forget Safety Hazards

When it comes to holidays, there are things lurking in your home that can pose a significant risk to your home and health. Perhaps the biggest one is to limit the number of burning candles in your home. Also, be sure to choose soy or beeswax candles; they emit less indoor air contaminates than traditional paraffin wax candles.

Another thing to keep in mind is don’t overload your outlets. Between slow cookers, decorative lights, and other appliances, it’s easy to overload your outlets and potentially blow a fuse or cause an electrical fire. We recommend limiting the number of things you plug in and making sure nothing stays plugged in for too long.

A great way to spot any other potential hazards is to do a deep clean of your home a week before the holiday. While cleaning, make sure to check your outlets for any damage. Also, it’s good to vacuum or dust around your return vents to make sure any treated air can flow freely through your home.

Service Champions is Here for All Your Holiday Needs

Rome wasn’t built in a day, just like your pipes didn’t back up over the course of one meal. If you want to schedule a plumbing safety inspection or are interested in more tips for preparing your home for Thanksgiving, reach out to the professionals at Service Champions. Our expertly trained HVAC technicians and plumbers are ready for any job and ready to help your home during the holidays. If you’re in Los Angeles, Orange, or Riverside county, call the number at the top of the screen or click here to book an appointment online.

A Guide to Ductless MiniSplit vs Central Air Conditioning System

When it comes to heating and cooling your Phoenix home, there’s never a one size fits all solution. Fortunately, when you choose to work with us at Howard Air, you can rest assured you’ll always find the right unit for your home, no matter the shape and size. For many homes in the area, one of the main decisions you’ll need to make is installing a central air conditioning system or switching things up and going with a ductless mini-split system. Both are great ways to cool a home, but both have their own pros and cons to familiarize yourself with before making your final decision.

About Central Air Conditioners

Central air conditioning units are by far the most common type of HVAC systems found in homes throughout the United States, especially in newer constructions. They consist of an outdoor unit, an indoor unit, and a series of ducts that are responsible for delivering air throughout the home, including the heat pump. This construction offers some unique advantages, including:

• Cheaper upfront
• Lower installation costs (in some cases)
• Equipment is invisible indoors

By and large, installing a central air conditioner is going to cost you far less than a ductless system assuming your home has pre-existing ductwork. This is precisely the reason why most new homes come equipped with a central air conditioning system. Additionally, since the ductwork is held in the walls, ceiling, and floor of your home, you never have to see it, leaving you with nothing but clean, clear walls. However, like any home upgrade, central air units also come with some downsides as well, including:

• Higher overall operating costs
• Poor indoor air quality without proper maintenance
• Lack of personalized temperature control

With this system, ductwork is required to carry air throughout your home. However, ductwork in some homes may be sub-par or constructed in such a way that the system’s blower has a hard time moving air to all corners of your home. This leads to a loss of efficiency as your cool air leaks out of the ductwork, and the system has to work harder and longer to get air where it needs to go. Dirty ducts can also lead to poor air quality, while units with a single thermostat force a “one size fits all” temperature solution throughout the house.

About Ductless Mini-Split Systems

Much like a central air unit, ductless systems consist of an indoor unit and outdoor unit. However, unlike central air units, ductless systems do not involve a series of ducts or an indoor furnace and blower mechanism. Rather, the outdoor unit is only connected to the indoor wall-mounted blower via a series of thin tubes. This setup has its own benefits to enjoy, which include:

• Less noise than the average central air system
• Zone cooling is easy and available
• Easier overall installation

With a ductless system, the noisy compressor is housed outdoors. That means you don’t get any of the rumbling noise inside while your unit is running. Because the indoor units are individually installed in each room, you can also adjust the settings, allowing you to keep each room at a different temperature at any given time. Finally, installing these units typically involves only creating a small hole in the wall for the connecting pipe, a far easier (and cheaper) process than installing ductwork.

Ductless AC systems have much to offer, but they, too, have their own drawbacks to consider. These include:

• Not suited for larger homes due to size limitations
• Visible and space-consuming indoor units
• Higher up-front costs

Because an indoor unit will need to be installed in each room you want to be cooled, a larger home may require several units, making ductless units an impractical option. Furthermore, wall-mounted ductless units are highly visible and may detract from your overall decor scheme, and are generally significantly more expensive to install.

Which One is Better?

The simple answer is that there is no simple answer. Central air conditioning units and ductless mini-split units both have heft pros and cons to consider, and your final decision should come down to what’s best for your individual home, budget, and lifestyle. If you have any doubts about which route to take with your new system, it’s always a good idea to reach out to the professionals with questions about cost, operation, and other details.

Still Trying to Decide? Get in Touch with Howard Air Today!

To learn more about both central air and ductless units, contact us at Howard Air. We’ll not only get you the information you need, but we’ll also help you choose your unit and install it after you’ve made your decision. Our professional technicians are here and ready to make your Phoenix home cool and comfortable as soon as possible.

Featured Image: Shutterstock / C5 Media

The post Your Guide to Ductless Mini-Split vs Central Air Conditioning System first appeared on Howard Air.

This post appeared first on Howardair.com

In the food manufacturing industry, food safety and quality is everything. Not only is it part of good manufacturing practices (GMP), but it’s the law. Food and beverage plants work with countless ingredients that can cause public health hazards, from microorganisms hiding in ingredient materials to allergens that cross-contaminate products during packaging processes. Microorganisms and other bacteria can even degrade the shelf life of some foods, creating an inferior product that can hurt your company as a whole.

So how do you prevent cross-contamination and unsafe pathogens or undeclared allergens from entering your food? The final step – sanitation. Food must be produced under sanitary conditions in order to be safe, and manufacturers must ensure sanitation is carried out consistently & effectively.

Risks in Food Manufacturing

The USDA requires all food manufacturing plants to meet a certain standard of cleanliness, which includes proper hygiene and regular sanitizing. Of course, there is a good reason for these regulations: these plants are preparing food for millions of Americans, and one mistake can make many people sick.

Some of the most common risks in the food manufacturing industry (many of which can be prevented with proper sanitation) include the following

Foodborne Illness

Earlier in 2020, the CDC reported 101 cases of salmonella across 17 states. They determined that the cause was contaminated peaches, which had been sold to grocers across the nation.

Regrettably, this story is rather common across the industry and it demonstrates the far reach that a single plant’s sanitation habits can have. Because one packing plant in California failed to properly sanitize their facility, their product became contaminated, and people got sick.

Cross-Contamination

According to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), an estimated 32 million Americans have some sort of food allergy. These allergies range in type and severity, from a mild rash or itchiness to life-threatening anaphylaxis. Because of this, individuals with allergies must be very careful when choosing foods to buy from the local grocery store — and they need to know with certainty that the things they’re eating don’t contain the ingredient they’re allergic to.

Today’s food manufacturing facilities process thousands of products every day. Some plants process a variety of different foods, which means that it’s always possible for some cross-contamination between ingredients. However, it’s easy to avoid this risk with thorough and diligent sanitization practices and GMP’s.

Shelf Instability

Perishable foods like meats, produce, and dairy products already have a limited shelf life — but if they are contaminated by hidden microorganisms or other bacteria, they can become inedible even faster. This is a big problem for food manufacturers, as it can impact product quality and eventually degrade your brand value.

Food that goes bad on the shelf is more likely to contribute to foodborne illness — bringing us right back to our first and most common risk. Clearly, it is essential to maintain high cleaning and sanitation standards throughout any food manufacturing plant, and companies must hold sanitization as a top priority.

Cleaning vs. Sanitizing

The USDA considers proper cleaning and sanitization a prerequisite to the industry’s hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP). Without thorough and consistent cleaning and sanitation, a facility cannot provide safe products to the consumer. Both of these practices are essential — and contrary to what some believe, they are not interchangeable.

What is the difference between cleaning and sanitizing? “Cleaning” refers to the process of removing soil from a surface. This is necessary to have a clean work environment, which can help slow the spread of bacteria or even viruses (which is even more important in the post-COVID work environment.

However, while cleaning removes soils, it doesn’t remove what cannot be seen with the human eye — microorganisms – nor does it kill them. This is why facilities must also practice proper sanitizing. “Sanitizing” is the final step of any cleaning process, and it helps kill off any microorganisms that are still lingering on any surface.

If a food manufacturing plant wants to prevent contamination (and they all do), it is absolutely essential to practice effective sanitizing. This means sanitizing surfaces more often and having the right tools at your disposal for an efficient and complete sanitation process.

The Solution

Sanitation should always be the final step in your plant sanitizing procedure, but that doesn’t mean you can do it halfway. In fact, food manufacturing companies need to be more fastidious about sanitizing than ever before! They need to have the right tools to eliminate microorganisms — and that means embracing alcohol-based sanitizers.

Alcohol-based sanitizing solutions have antiseptic properties that kill germs quickly and more effectively than plain water or alcohol-free solutions. Using an alcohol sanitizer in your cleaning protocol is one of the best ways to ensure a bacteria-free surface.

But, of course, you can’t simply pick up a bottle of alcohol sanitizer from the drug store. Cleaning Food and Beverage plants requires a more careful approach and specific products. Look for products that are EPA registered food contact sanitations sprays; these require no wiping to effectively sanitize surfaces. Not only will this guarantee that your sanitation is food safe, but it also will cut down your cleaning time, giving you a safe, dry, and sanitary surface faster than other brands. If you use a sanitization system that utilizes a food-safe, quick-drying solution, your sanitation routine can become a quick and painless process that you can easily do each day.

The food manufacturing industry has a great responsibility to provide safe food products to people all over this country. And if you work in one of these facilities, it is up to you to maintain a high standard of cleanliness and sanitation. Not only is the reputation of your brand at risk, but the health and safety of the people who eat your food — sometimes, their very lives — are in your hands.

But if you have the right tools and the right sanitizing solutions, you can ensure clean work stations and safe products every time.

This post appeared first on Goodway.com

Perfect for temperate climates with mild winters, heat pumps keep homes in the greater Houston area comfortable in every season. Even when the weather is colder than usual, your home should stay cozy and warm. If your system isn’t meeting your expectations, here are 4 ways to troubleshoot and resolve common heat pump problems.

Change the Filter

From inconsistent temperatures to weak airflow, a dirty filter can bring on a host of performance issues. It can lead to serious heat pump repairs too. When a filter becomes so clogged that air can’t pass through it, dust and debris can accumulate and damage critical components. Check and change your filter frequently throughout the cold-weather season.

Check the Outdoor Unit

Most heat pumps have an outdoor unit that houses the compressor and a fan that expels air outside. It’s important not to obstruct the airflow. Make sure that there’s a least 2 to 3 feet of clearance between the unit and surrounding plants. Clear away leaves, twigs and pine needles from the fins of the grill.

Don’t Ignore Unusual Noises

Any unusual noise that your heat pump makes during normal operation can signal something is amiss. Screeches or squeals coming from the blower motor can indicate a bad belt or bearing. Clicking sounds can mean an electrical relay needs repair. Hisses are often caused by a refrigerant leaks. All these problems require professional attention.

Schedule Maintenance

If your primary issue is higher than usual energy costs, a timely tune-up can save you money. Our professional maintenance services optimize HVAC efficiency, so you save more over the long run. A well-maintained system consumes up to 25 percent less energy than a neglected one.

For heating services guaranteed to keep you warm this winter, trust your heat pump repairs to Davis Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. Since 1971, we’ve been the HVAC company of choice in Houston and the surrounding communities. Call us today to schedule service.

How well would your car operate without a steering wheel or an ignition? We know that this may seem like a silly analogy but the fact is that an air conditioner without a thermostat is going to run as effectively as a car without a steering wheel–that is, not at all! So with this in mind, we have an important question to ask you: How well is your thermostat operating?

If your thermostat has been operating well, chances are that you don’t have to upgrade it anytime soon. If you hesitate to answer that question though, it may mean that a thermostat upgrade is the best way to ensure the operation of your air conditioning in Coral Gables, FL. We can help you determine if you need to schedule that service and pair you with the best new system for your home’s needs.

Signs Something Is Up With Your Thermostat

A problem with your thermostat is ultimately going to end up being a problem with your air conditioning system. If something is wrong with your thermostat, the sooner you get it addressed the better. Here are the signs that you need to schedule a replacement for a bad thermostat.

• Inaccurate temperatures: A thermostat that can’t accurately read the temperature of your home is one that likely needs to be replaced. Older thermostats can become easily miscalibrated, resulting in a home that is too hot or too cold, along with other issues.
• Delayed responses: When you turn on your thermostat, it and your air conditioner should respond to you immediately. If there is a delay in how quickly your thermostat responds to you, or it doesn’t respond at all, you likely need to replace this system.
• A short cycling system: Have you noticed that your AC isn’t completing its usual cooling cycles? This is known as short cycling and can be caused by a thermostat that isn’t picking up on the temperature in the home correctly. This creates some serious wear and tear on your AC over time, not to mention the fact that it hinders your home comfort.
• High energy bills: Spikes on your energy bills aren’t something to ignore. They usually indicate trouble in your air conditioner or the other parts of your system. Make sure that your thermostat is operating right or upgrade it if not.

Choosing a Great New Thermostat For Your Home

If your hone’s thermostat is on its last leg, you shouldn’t ignore the issue. Instead, you should reach out to a team member at Air On Demand to assess this system and replace it if necessary. We can ensure that a replacement is really the service you need and, from there, we can pair you with the best thermostat to meet your needs. This includes options like a smart or Wi-fi thermostat that can offer improved efficiency, programmability, and even remote control options.

When you work with Air On Demand, you’ll enjoy the benefits of up-front and honest pricing provided by licensed and insured technicians.

Contact us today to get your next appointment scheduled.

This post appeared first on AironDemand.com

If you ever find your AC unit frozen, you may wonder how something that works its hardest during the hottest days of the year could possibly freeze up. Despite the irony in an AC freezing up during the summertime, it’s important to deal with your frozen AC unit properly and quickly to prevent any serious issues from occurring.

Believe it or not, an air conditioner freezing up isn’t an uncommon issue. Nevertheless, few homeowners have a good understanding of why their AC unit freezes up or how to deal with an air conditioner freezing up, so this blog will serve to bring some clarity to the situation. We’ll explore in detail the 5 reasons why your AC is freezing up:

1. Malfunctioning thermostat
2. Lack of airflow
3. Low refrigerant levels
4. Blocked condensate line
5. Dusty coils

How an Air Conditioner Unit Works

Before you can clearly understand why an air conditioner freezes up, it’s helpful to understand a little bit about how your AC unit works. Simply, an air conditioner in a central heating and cooling system works by drawing in warm air, removing its heat using refrigerant coils, and then providing cool air through the home through the ductwork in the home. 

For this process to work properly, an AC unit relies heavily on its coils that are full of refrigerant. When the warm air is blown across these coils, the coils cool the air and blow the cold air into the home while blowing any warm air outward. This process works to cool your home and keep it comfortable in the summertime, but the warm air blowing across the coils also helps you not find your air conditioner frozen over.

If something were to prevent the warm air from blowing over the coils, however, or if the pressure within the coils is wrong, they can become far too cold to operate. What results is your air conditioner freezing up. Before you’re too tempted to get into your AC unit yourself trying to find out what’s wrong, let’s examine a few of the most common reasons why an AC unit freezes. 

5 Reasons Why Your AC is Freezing Up

1. Malfunctioning Thermostat

So you’ve found your air conditioner frozen, and you’re wondering if it’s a serious issue. The first thing you should check is your thermostat since it could be causing your AC unit to work too hard, leading the machine to run too long and cause the coils to freeze over simply due to overwork. Checking your thermostat settings is actually one of the first things you should do to troubleshoot a variety of common AC unit problems.

2. Lack of Airflow

If the warm air can’t blow across the coils, then they will likely freeze over. That’s why lack of airflow is one of the most common reasons you’ll find your AC unit frozen. Here are a few different issues that can cause poor airflow:

Bad Motor

If the blower fan stops working properly, then the air stops flowing properly across the unit’s coils. When this happens, the coils start to freeze over. If this is the case, you may hear some rattling sounds from your AC unit indicating that the blower may be failing.

Low Fan Voltage

You may simply have a voltage issue if you find your AC unit freezing up. Without the proper electricity, your unit won’t have the power to blow air properly which could result in your AC freezing up.

Collapsed or Blocked Ductwork

In most homes, the ductwork is what allows cold air to move through the home. If something is blocking the duct, then air cannot flow, blocking the coils and causing your AC unit to freeze up even if everything else is working properly. 

Clogged Filter

When was the last time you changed your unit’s air filter? This filter is what works to keep your home, AC unit, and the compressor coils clean. If it’s clogged with dust, it can force your AC unit to work harder while also preventing proper airflow.

3. Low Refrigerant Levels

If you’re running low on refrigerant in your AC unit, the pressure in your coils can become negatively affected. As mentioned earlier, if the pressure within the coils is off, they can’t do their job properly which can cause the AC unit to freeze over. This could simply mean that you need to refill your refrigerant, or it could mean you have a more serious issue: a coolant leak.

A coolant leak causes a consistent lack of pressure, reducing your unit’s ability to absorb heat which, as we know, causes it to freeze up. While you can attempt to add more refrigerant to your system, a leak needs to be addressed by a professional so it can be properly repaired. Consider getting a cooling inspection to determine the cause of your refrigerant issues.

4. Blocked Condensate Line

The condensate lines work to allow moisture buildup to drain from your unit (preventing it from freezing up). It’s possible for these lines to become clogged, causing the water to freeze up, which in turn causes the coils to do the same.

5. Dusty Coils

If you’ve ever run your AC unit without a filter, with a low-quality filter, or without changing the filter properly for a long period of time, dust can end up in the refrigerant coils and build up. Overtime, this leads to a blanket of dust on the coils, insulating them, and ultimately leading to the problem of freezing up.

Keep Your Air Conditioner Healthy All Summer

If you’re dealing with your air conditioner freezing up and don’t know the proper way to address the issue or to prevent it from happening in the future, then John C. Flood is ready to help resolve the issue. Whether it’s a quick cleaning needed or an in-depth repair, our licensed HVAC technicians are ready to help you keep your AC unit happy and healthy all summer long.

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