Ever had your RV’s air conditioner go out in the middle of summer? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, more than half of all A/C problems happen during this time. Luckily in this article, we have the answer!
It’s important to know why and how this happens, as well as what signs to look for when trying to prevent it from happening again.
Most RV A/C freeze-ups are caused by low airflow (the dirty evaporator or condenser coils). The coils in your air conditioner unit—evaporator and condenser coils—need to be cleaned regularly. Ice will build upon the coils since the system has to work harder due to reduced airflow.
Evaporator coils: These are the coils that sit on top of your A/C. This coil will either have a fan blowing air over it or water flowing through it to cool things down before being recirculated back into the RV’s interior. When they get dirty, reduced airflow can cause frost buildup and subsequent freezing in winter months, as discussed earlier.
Clean these with an evaporative cooler cleaner such as NewAir CC-100 (or whatever you prefer) at least once every month during peak usage times for best results!
Condenser coils: The larger thick metal tubes are located underneath your A/C unit outside of your RV. They’re usually painted white, but some newer models use black paint instead, making them difficult to find. These are the larger tubes that wrap around your A/M, and if they get too dirty, it can result in decreased airflow into the RV, which causes an ice buildup (similar to what we talked about with evaporator coils).
Most of all, remember not to overwork your system by turning up the temperature way above what you need! You’ll end up just wasting energy and making things worse for yourself down the line.
If you have any questions or want more information on how this works, please feel free to contact us here at NewAirRV Heating & Air Conditioning Repair Services. In addition, we would be happy to answer any other questions you may have!
What causes RV air conditioners to freeze up?
Low airflow is the most common reason RV A/Cs freeze up. This is usually due to the dirty condenser or evaporator coils. The coils in your air conditioner unit—evaporator and condenser coils—need to be cleaned regularly. In addition, because the system is working harder due to decreased airflow, ice will build up.
Why is my AC freezing up?
An air conditioner removes what is known as “hot spots.” “latent” Heat is also known as humidity inside your RV. If the fan runs at a low speed on a humid day, the coil may freeze with too much water.
Why does my air conditioner freeze up?
Air conditioners have many moving parts that can become stuck, damaged, or clogged.
The refrigerant lines can be kinked, fans may stop moving, filters could become clogged, or things can leak.
Frosting can also be caused by too little refrigerant.
Some of these problems can be fixed more quickly and cost less than others.
How fast can an air conditioner be unfrozen?
How to Freeze an AC Unit Frozen
Step 1: Turn off your AC. It’s hot.
Step 2: Turn on the fan. Turning the HVAC fan to ON will force it to blow warm air over any frozen coils, speeding up the defrost process.
Step 3: Locate the source.
Step 4: Monitor the situation.
Step 5: Contact us
How can I tell if my AC compressor is faulty?
- Troubleshooting AC Compressor Capacitor Failure
- The AC system sounds like it is trying to start but cannot.
- The air conditioner stops after a short time, but it doesn’t trip the circuit breaker.
- To get the fan blades moving, they need some encouragement.
Why does my AC freeze up at night?
Your air conditioner will stop working if there isn’t enough airflow. A dirty air filter is the most common reason for this. However, a faulty fan, blocked or closed ducts, or vents can also cause airflow problems.
How can I tell if my AC is low on Freon?
If you can measure your refrigerant level, you can determine if it’s low or full.
Your gauge should register below 30 degrees for refrigerant temperature.
Can a blocked drain cause AC freeze?
The AC System will freeze if it is blocked
Why is my central heating unit freezing up?
A blocked airflow in any part of an air conditioner will cause it to freeze. Blocked airflow can be caused by dirty filters, condensate lines that are clogged, dirty coils, or refrigerant leaks.
How can I de-freeze my air conditioner coils?
- You can thaw your AC in two simple steps.
- Turn your thermostat on, then your fan on.
- This will defrost your A-coil (found inside your house).
- Allow your unit to defrost for a few hours.
How do you fix a frozen AC coil?
How to Fix Frozen Air Conditioner Coils & Other Cooling Problems
Step 1 – Thaw Frozen condenser coils.
Step 2: Dry the Air Conditioner Coils.
Step 3: Turn on the fan of your air conditioner.
Step 4 – Heat the coils of the condenser.
Step 5: Check the vent filters.
Step 6 – Add coolant
Step 7 – Check the Cooling Capacity.
What should I do if my AC coil has frozen?
Wait for the ice on the coil to melt before you restart the system. If the icing persists, turn off the system and contact professional assistance. A malfunctioning fan or extremely dirty blower could also cause low or no airflow.
How can you tell if AC coils have frozen?
- Frozen AC Coil Signs
- The AC unit is functional but does not emit cold air.
- You can see ice on indoor and outdoor coils.
- Visible moisture/condensation in the area around your AC system and home.
- Make sure your air filter is clean and fresh.
- Turn the fan on and turn off the thermostat.
How can I reset my Dometic air conditioner?
Click the “+” Hold the button down for three seconds, then press and hold on the On/Off Mode button. LCD will show ― ―. To turn the system off, press the On/Off mode button again. This completes initialization.
