Air Conditioner Icing Up

[Patty]

I have been in my home for 4 years now and for the last 2 of them, in the summer when I use my air conditioning, it ices up from the bottom. I have had the "expert" out and he says that it is working fine and he doesn't know why it ices. What can I do other than replace this thing? I live in Arizona and the summers are pretty hot! Oh yes, it is a combination heater/cooler and it is in my laundry room right across from my washer/dryer.

[Tom]

Generally, icing up is caused by low freon. Tom

[Mark Bower]

Tom's right, generally the a/c has a small freon leak, so is low on freon. Get an opinion from another technician.

Mark

[bob]

It doesnt really have to be low on R-22..I am an air cond tech. What you want to do first is clean or replace the filter if it has one. Then clean the coils. If you dont have an acid coil cleaner, and you want to do it yourself, hit the coils with a water hose and some dish detergent. most of the time this is the problem with evaporator coild freezing up...give it a try, it is easy and costs nothing.....

[sybulc]

That fixed ours from freezing up after 3 trips out by the ac guys. give it a try.

[Debbi Racobs]

Yes you should clean your evaporator and condenser coils and replace/wash your filter media at least monthly. Are your ducts in the ceiling? Is your air handler a Nordyne/Intertherm product? Do you have two 16x20 filters held in a "V" formation under the air handler? Many times this is short return air. The evaporator coil does not get enough airflow across the coil and it freezes up. Let me know.

[Jerry]

I got the tech to take a look at my air cond since water is leaking on the bottom. The coil is on top of the heater. Now it seems like the pan has been corroded and is leaking when the air cond is on. He suggests we should replace it and the total cost, including materials, new coil, installation and labor, is about 1200 bucks. Can someone give me your idea, should I have to replace it or just replace the pan? Or other idea?

Thank you!
Jerry, Helpless person

[David Oxhandler]

Jerry

You might do better to check the local newspapers for a used unit that is in better condition. You might also find a good used unit from a contractor who sells new air systems and takes the used ones in trade.