It’s 33°C outside and there’s ice on your aircon. It feels like it should be a good sign, since ice is cold and cold is the point. Sadly, no. Ice means something is stopping the system from working properly, and it often ends in a leak.
Why an aircon freezes
The coil is supposed to absorb heat from your room’s air. If too little warm air gets to it, or the gas pressure is off, the coil gets colder than it should and moisture in the air freezes on it.
Common causes
Dirty filters. The easiest one to fix. Less air gets through, so the coil gets too cold. Here’s how to clean them.
A dirty coil or blower. Same problem, deeper inside. A dirty blower wheel moves much less air.
Low gas. Low pressure can make the coil colder, so ice forms on the coil or copper pipes. This usually means a leak somewhere. Gas needs checking with a gauge.
A fan fault. If the blower motor is weak or failing, air stops moving properly.
What to do right now
- Stop cooling. Switch to fan mode, or turn the aircon off.
- Let it thaw. This can take a few hours, so give it time.
- Put a towel underneath. Melting ice can overflow the tray, so move anything valuable away from the unit.
- Check the filters and wash them if they’re dirty.
- Try again once it’s fully thawed and dry.
If the ice comes back, call a technician. Don’t keep running it, because a frozen coil can put strain on the compressor.
What not to do
- Don’t chip or scrape the ice. The coil fins and copper pipes damage easily.
- Don’t use a hair dryer on it. Water and electrical parts don’t mix.
- Don’t top up gas without a pressure reading.
Ice often starts with poor airflow, so it is worth looking at aircon servicing in Singapore before anything pricier.
Gas pressure off? See aircon gas top-up. Ice that keeps coming back can mean a leak, so see aircon repair too.
Ice keeps coming back? WhatsApp us the photo or book a check online. Gas checks are free with any servicing.