What Causes an AC Unit to Freeze Up in Colliers, WV?

Quick Answer

An AC unit freezes up in Colliers most often because of restricted airflow, low refrigerant from a leak, dirty evaporator coils, electrical control problems, or systems running outside their original design limits. Larger homes, longer duct runs, and higher overall cooling demand—common in Colliers—make freeze-ups more likely. Running the system while it’s frozen almost always causes additional damage.

What To Do Immediately If Your AC Is Frozen

Turn the cooling off right away.

Set the system to OFF, then switch the fan to ON to help melt the ice. Do not restart cooling until the system is fully thawed and the cause is identified. Running an AC while frozen can damage the compressor and refrigerant system.

Why You Can Trust This Explanation

I’m Scott Merritt, and I’ve been working in residential HVAC since 1994.

Over the last 30+ years, I’ve diagnosed, repaired, and replaced thousands of residential systems and trained hundreds of technicians across Ohio, including throughout the Upper Ohio Valley.

This article reflects repeat freeze-up patterns we consistently see in real Colliers homes, not generic HVAC advice.

Why AC Freeze-Ups Are So Common in Colliers Homes

Colliers homes are often larger and more spread out than those in nearby towns.

We commonly see:

• Larger square footage with long duct runs
• Multi-level layouts
• Systems installed far from conditioned spaces
• Added rooms or garages tied into existing ductwork
• Electrical loads shared with workshops or outbuildings

Longer airflow paths and extended run times reduce system margin. When one factor slips out of balance, freeze-ups are more likely.

The Most Common Causes of an AC Unit Freezing Up

1. Restricted Airflow

This is the most common freeze-up cause we find in Colliers.

Airflow restrictions often come from:

• Undersized return ducts for larger homes
• Closed-off rooms reducing total airflow
• Dirty filters restricting long duct runs
• Poorly balanced airflow between levels

Low airflow drops coil temperature below freezing, allowing ice to form.

2. Low Refrigerant From a Leak

Refrigerant is sealed inside the system.

If it’s low, it leaked—often from:

• Long refrigerant line sets
• Vibration-related wear at joints
• Older copper tubing stressed by extended runs

Low refrigerant lowers system pressure, which drops coil temperature and causes icing.

3. Dirty Evaporator Coil

In larger homes, evaporator coils often:

• Run longer each day
• Pull more airborne dust through the system

Over time, dust and debris reduce heat transfer. Cold spots form, moisture freezes, and ice spreads across the coil.

4. Electrical or Control Problems

Higher electrical demand can stress:

• Capacitors
• Contactors
• Blower motors

When electrical components don’t operate correctly, airflow and cooling output fall out of sync, leading to freeze-ups.

5. System Running Outside Its Original Design

Many Colliers homes grow over time.

As square footage and usage increase:

• Systems run longer
• Airflow margins shrink
• Minor issues become freeze-up triggers

Extended runtime combined with airflow limits is a common cause of icing in this area.

Ice Location Matters: What You’re Seeing Tells a Story

• Ice on the indoor coil: Usually airflow or refrigerant related
• Ice on refrigerant lines only: Often airflow imbalance or metering issues
• Ice on both the coil and lines: A system-wide imbalance

Ice location helps narrow the cause quickly.

Why Freeze-Ups Usually Keep Coming Back

If an AC freezes once and the underlying cause isn’t corrected, it will almost always freeze again. Thawing the ice treats the symptom, not the imbalance. Freeze-ups are one of the most repeat service calls we see in larger homes.

How Maintenance Prevents Freeze-Ups

Freeze-ups usually develop gradually as:

• Filters restrict airflow
• Coils collect dirt
• Small refrigerant leaks worsen
• Duct balance degrades over time

Routine maintenance catches these issues early—before ice forms and damage occurs. Documented yearly maintenance is also required to keep repair and installation guarantees active.

A Real Colliers Home Example

We worked on a two-story Colliers home with a partially finished basement and long duct runs that froze repeatedly during extended heat.

The causes included:

• Restricted return airflow on the upper level
• Low refrigerant from a long line set
• A dirty evaporator coil

Once airflow and refrigerant issues were corrected together, the freeze-ups stopped.

The Most Common Mistake Homeowners Make Here

Closing vents to force air to certain rooms.

In larger homes, this often reduces total airflow and causes freeze-ups faster. Freeze-ups are airflow problems, not room-balancing problems.

Who This Article Is (And Is Not) For

This is for you if:

• You see ice on the indoor unit or refrigerant lines
• Cooling fades during long run times
• Your home is larger or multi-level

This may not apply if:

• You have a brand-new system with a confirmed factory defect
• You use ductless mini-splits
• Ice forms only on a short exposed line section

What Guarantees Apply If Your AC Needs Repair

Honest Fix Service Trust Guardian (Repairs & Diagnostics)

Freeze-up repairs are protected by our Service Trust Guardian, which includes:

• A 5-year labor warranty on covered repairs
• A 60-day satisfaction guarantee
• No overtime or after-hours charges
• On-time arrival and clean-work commitments

These guarantees remain active with documented yearly maintenance, consistent with manufacturer requirements.

If Freeze-Ups Lead to System Replacement

Honest Fix Lifetime Trust Shield (New Installations)

If replacement becomes the right decision, new systems are protected by our Lifetime Trust Shield, which includes:

• Long-term labor coverage
• A full money-back satisfaction period
• A no-lemon replacement guarantee
• Energy performance accountability
• Apples-to-apples price protection

These protections are written and designed for homeowners in the Upper Ohio Valley.

Other Ohio Valley Communities Where AC Freeze-Ups Are Common

We see similar freeze-up patterns in nearby towns, including:

• Steubenville, OH
• Wintersville, OH
• Toronto, OH
• Mingo Junction, OH
• Brilliant, OH
• Weirton, WV
• Follansbee, WV
• Wellsburg, WV
• New Cumberland, WV
• Hooverson Heights, WV

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I run my AC if it’s frozen?

No. Running it while frozen can cause serious damage.

Is freezing always a refrigerant problem?

No. Restricted airflow is the most common cause we see.

What guarantees do you offer?

Repairs are protected by the Service Trust Guardian.

New installations are protected by the Lifetime Trust Shield.

What To Do Next

An AC freeze-up is a clear warning that airflow, refrigerant, or system balance is off. Addressing it early prevents larger failures.

Call Honest Fix today for a free exact quote.

You can also learn about our guarantees before you decide.