In Havertown and Springfield, PA, we experience a lot of hot and humid summers, which keeps our air conditioners running most days. When trouble comes, it usually starts with very subtle signs that most average homeowners won’t notice. That’s a pity because early detection can mean the difference between a small repair bill and a very large one. For example, you might notice frost forming on the evaporator coils of your air conditioner. At first, it may not seem like a big deal. Isn’t the system supposed to be cold? But in point of fact, frost on your air conditioner can signal the beginning of serious problem.
The Causes
Frost usually forms when your refrigerant levels are low, usually due to a leak in the system somewhere. It can also be caused by an excess of dirt build up, a problem with the compressor or a lack of power to the fan. The evaporator coil is where the air is cooled, as the refrigerant pulls heat from the surrounding air. Any of the above problems interfere with that process, leaving frost and ice building up on the coils.
Why That’s a Problem
The problem with frost on the coils is that it represents lost cooling potential that should be going into your home. That means your system needs to work harder to do its job, which means higher energy bills and increased strain on other components in the system. Even worse, the frost compounds that equation because it serves as an insulating barrier between the remaining refrigerant and the air it’s supposed to cool. The issue then cascades, resulting in ever increasing bills and an eventual breakdown.
If you spot frost on the coils, don’t scrape it off. It won’t treat the core problem and you could damage the coils in the process. Instead, call the friendly professionals at WM Henderson Inc. We’ll hunt down the problem and fix it with courtesy and care!