One of the most frustrating issues 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 believe that it is the fault of the refrigerant gas. More often the cause is the consequence of other difficulties.
It is most often the consequence of poor airflow.
Any time the airflow via an air conditioner is restricted the cooling system becomes affected. If taken 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 begin to operate as a refrigerator rather than an air conditioner. Instead of simply cooling the air it’ll collect and hold moisture. The moisture will freeze onto the cooling coil where it will appear as ice.
The principal job of an air conditioning equipment would be to de-humidify, not refrigerate, the room air. By detatching the moisture from the area air it gives us a sense of comfort. To get this done although temperature of the cooling coil should always be higher than the room’s dew point. If it’s permitted to drop below the dew point the air conditioner will begin to produce ice 移動冷氣機.
With this information in mind the following are a few problems that can lead to your air conditioning equipment 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 weekly. To completely clean filter remove from air conditioner, wet thoroughly, and lay in bottom of a sink. Sprinkle detergent (laundry detergent is effective) onto filter surface. Allow to sit for a couple of minutes. Add hot water to sink in order that filter is completely covered. Soak for a 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 several years. Every year would be best, but this is often 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 essential to eliminate any coatings on the coil. If not done greasy residue can trap and hold air borne particles. They’ll build-up on the coil and affect heat transfer. If left too long this can result in the cooling coil becoming partially blocked . This can produce a lower airflow.
3. Dirty or blocked condenser coil.
The condenser coil is the one at the rear of the air conditioning equipment. Its job is to dissipate the heat that’s being removed from the area. Just like the cooling coil it too must be cleaned every few years. Because the condenser is externally of the home it becomes exposed to many 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 completely clean this part the air conditioner must be completely disassembled. Or even cleaned regularly an airflow blockage here can even burn out the compressor. Before this happens though the lowering of airflow will affect the overall operation. This can bring about 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 could 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 cut off point. At these times the cooling coil will begin to 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 in the following paragraphs.
5. Not enough refrigerant. Too much refrigerant.
Both scenarios can lead to and icing condition. If your air conditioning equipment was repaired recently suspect an excessive amount of refrigerant. Mixed with an airflow problem this is often 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 outside temperature falls below 60 Degrees Fahrenheit. If the exterior temperature is too low the air conditioner pressure-temperatures can be affected. When the outside temperature falls the cooling coil temperature will also fall. So much that the coil will refrigerate the area air. This will bring about the cooling coil starting to produce ice. This problem is more frequent in the fall. If it’s hot throughout the day but cold at night suspect this problem because the cause of icing up. If this issue 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 bringing in handful of outside air at night time.
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