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

Quick Answer

An AC unit freezes up in Follansbee 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. Higher ground moisture, flood-prone areas, and basement installations—common in Follansbee—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 components.

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 Follansbee homes, not generic HVAC advice.

Why AC Freeze-Ups Are So Common in Follansbee Homes

Follansbee’s proximity to the Ohio River creates persistent moisture challenges for AC systems.

We commonly see:

• Homes in flood-prone or high-moisture areas
• Basements with elevated humidity
• Ductwork routed through damp spaces
• Outdoor units installed close to grade
• Electrical components exposed to moisture over time

Moisture accelerates wear and airflow problems, increasing the likelihood of freeze-ups.

The Most Common Causes of an AC Unit Freezing Up

1. Restricted Airflow

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

Airflow restrictions often come from:

• Dirty air filters
• Duct insulation softened or collapsed by moisture
• Blocked return ducts in damp basements
• Mold or debris buildup inside ductwork

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:

• Corrosion at copper line sets
• Aluminum coil corrosion
• Moisture-damaged joints

Low refrigerant lowers system pressure, which causes coil temperatures to drop and ice to form.

3. Dirty Evaporator Coil

High humidity allows debris to cling to coil surfaces.

Common contributors include:

• Basement dust
• Pet hair
• Moisture-bound dirt

A dirty coil cannot absorb heat evenly. Cold spots develop, moisture freezes, and ice spreads across the coil.

4. Electrical or Control Problems

Moisture exposure shortens the lifespan of electrical components.

Problems can cause:

• Improper blower operation
• Fan speed inconsistencies
• Extended runtimes during hot, humid weather

When airflow and cooling output fall out of sync, freeze-ups become likely.

5. System Running Outside Its Original Design

During humid conditions, systems run longer and harder.

If airflow or refrigerant levels are already marginal, extended runtime pushes coil temperatures below freezing and ice forms quickly.

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 mechanical imbalance. Freeze-ups are one of the most repeat service calls we see in river-adjacent communities.

How Maintenance Prevents Freeze-Ups

Freeze-ups usually develop gradually as:

• Coils collect dirt and moisture
• Filters restrict airflow
• Small refrigerant leaks worsen
• Duct conditions degrade in damp spaces

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 Follansbee Home Example

We worked on a Follansbee home near the river with a basement air handler that froze repeatedly during humid weather.

The causes included:

• Restricted airflow from damp, deteriorated duct insulation
• Low refrigerant due to corrosion-related leaks
• A heavily soiled evaporator coil

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

The Most Common Mistake Homeowners Make Here

Assuming humidity alone is the problem.

Humidity worsens conditions, but freeze-ups almost always involve airflow or refrigerant imbalance. Restarting the system without diagnosis usually causes repeat icing.

Who This Article Is (And Is Not) For

This is for you if:

• You see ice on the indoor unit or refrigerant lines
• Cooling problems worsen during humid weather
• Your home has a basement or moisture exposure

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
• Wellsburg, WV
• New Cumberland, WV
• Colliers, 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 warning sign 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.