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 a lot of people immediately think it is the fault of the refrigerant gas. More regularly the cause is the result of other difficulties.
It is most often the result of poor airflow.
Any time the airflow through an air conditioner is restricted the coolant 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 area. When this happens the cooling coil will quickly operate as a refrigerator instead of an air conditioner. Rather than 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 is to de-humidify, not refrigerate, the room air. By removing 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 greater than the room’s dew point. If it is allowed to drop below the dew point the air conditioner will begin to produce ice.
With this information at heart the following are a few problems that can lead to your air conditioner 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 every week. To completely clean filter remove from air conditioning equipment, wet thoroughly, and lay in bottom of a sink. Sprinkle detergent (laundry detergent works well) onto filter surface. Allow to sit for a few minutes. Add hot water to sink in order that filter is totally covered. Soak for quarter-hour. Remove from water and rinse. Allow to air dry.
2. Dirty or blocked cooling coil.
An air conditioner requires regular maintenance. Usually every two or three years. Every year will be best, but this can be 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 remove any coatings on the coil. Or even done greasy residue can trap and hold air borne particles. They will build-up on the coil and affect heat transfer. If left too much time this can result in the cooling coil becoming partially blocked. This will produce a lower airflow.
3. Dirty or blocked condenser coil.
The condenser coil may be the one guiding the air conditioning equipment. Its job would be to dissipate the heat that is being removed from the room. Similar to the cooling coil it too should be cleaned every few years. Since the condenser is on the outside of the home it becomes exposed to lots of 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 clean this part the air conditioning equipment must be completely disassembled. Or even cleaned regularly an airflow blockage here may also burn up the compressor. Before this happens although lowering of airflow will affect the entire 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. 洗窗口機 .
As describe above an inefficient compressor could cause icing up. If the compressor is not able 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 take off point. When this happens the cooling coil will begin to refrigerate. Ice on the cooling coil will result. If the compressor itself is at fault the air conditioner should be replaced. But remember that many icing problems are misdiagnosed as bad compressors when they were actually one of the other faults discussed in the following paragraphs.
5. Not enough refrigerant. An excessive amount of refrigerant.
Both scenarios can result in and icing condition. If your air conditioning equipment was repaired recently suspect too much refrigerant. Mixed with an airflow problem this can be difficult to diagnose. Or even repaired recently then suspect airflow problems before considering a refrigerant imbalance.
6. Outdoor temperature too low.
Icing can occur if the exterior temperature falls below 60 Degrees Fahrenheit. If the outside temperature is too low the air conditioner pressure-temperatures can be affected. Once the outside temperature falls the cooling coil temperature may also fall. So much that the coil will refrigerate the area air. This will result in the cooling coil beginning to produce ice. This problem is more prevalent in the fall. If it’s hot during the day but cold during the night suspect this problem because the reason behind icing up. If this issue is suspected try running the air conditioner in the fan only position. Leave the re-circulating vent open. This can circulate the room air without cooling it, while bringing in a small amount of outside air at night time.
-
Aug, Thu, 2023