If you notice ice building up on your air conditioner, you have a problem. While it may seem like ice is a sign that your air conditioner is doing its job, it\u2019s actually an indication that your evaporator coil is malfunctioning. Air conditioner ice can become a serious threat to the system if it\u2019s left alone for long enough. Let\u2019s take a look at why air conditioner ice forms, and why it\u2019s so dangerous.<\/p>\n
The evaporator coil is the part of your air conditioner that siphons heat from your home\u2019s air. It does this by evaporating refrigerant, absorbing thermal energy. Ice forms on the evaporator coil if the air flow is cut off, which throws off the temperature balance and causes the condensate on the coil to freeze. Air flow is typically cut off by a clogged air filter, which<\/p>\n
There are a number of problems that ice on the evaporator coil can cause. First, as long as the evaporator coil is encased in ice it will not be able to siphon heat from the air. Second, the longer the ice is allowed to build on the coil, the more weight it puts on it. Eventually, that weight will permanently warp the coil and require that it be replaced. Finally, the longer the ice is left alone, the more it will spread. Eventually, it can move down the refrigerant line to other parts of the system and cause more problems. It is very possible to have the entire system breakdown due to the ice. That\u2019s why you need to have the ice removed as soon as possible.<\/p>\n