• Ice on coil, a little water on floor

    Aug.19.2011

    Our central air system is not blowing out cool air. The fan is working outside, I can hear it kick on inside, and I feel air going through the vent but it is not cool air. When I opened up the furnace there was ice on the coil. I also noticed a little bit of water on the floor. I turned the unit off and put it on auto, left the panel open and took the filter out to melt. I checked the filter and it is fine too. How do I know if there is a leak and whether I am losing refrigerant? Could the condensation pipe be clogged? Is there anything else I can check out before I call someone out to look at it?

    Ger, st, charles, IL

    You have done a really good job of checking what you could on your own. In thawing out the coil, you have saved time in the long run, because it makes it difficult and time-consuming for a technician to check a system that is frozen when he arrives. Plus, the tech will not have to charge you for doing that. If you have already verified that the filter is clean and that the indoor blower is running the same as the outdoor unit does, then I would suggest that a qualified technician check your system for you. It is not only the dreaded leak situation that can cause an evaporator coil to freeze up. If the blower is not running to full capacity and/or a capacitor not at full capacity or even the blower motor dragging, these same problems might occur. The condensate line typically will not cause a coil to freeze up but will result in a lot of water around where it’s not wanted if there is not a safety switch to turn off either the whole system or the outdoor condenser. I suggest you contact a professional HVAC contractor, like the ARS/Rescue Rooter Illinois branch at (630) 438-6900. 

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