When your AC unit stops working when you need it the most, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. You might think that you have no choice but to call in the professionals. On the other hand, there are a few steps that you can take on your own. For example, you should inspect your coils, and if you find that they are iced over, you may be able to take care of the problem on your own. 

What Causes Coils to Ice Over?

The refrigerant running through your evaporator coils needs proper airflow, or else it can cool the air flowing over them so much that any water vapor in the air freezes and sticks to the coils. As more and more ice builds up on the coils, it can block airflow altogether. When this happens, your evaporator is no longer able to pump cool air to your home. 

What Should You Do?

When you discover that you have an iced-over evaporator, your first move should be to turn off your thermostat. This may be the last thing that you want to do on a hot day, but as long as your thermostat is on, more and more ice will continue to build up on your coils. You then must wait until the ice melts. If you want to speed up the thawing process, do not attempt to chip the ice off your coils. Instead, you may consider using a blowdryer. 

What Further Steps Should You Take?

Once you have removed the ice, you can turn your thermostat back on, but you still need to find out what caused the lack of airflow in the first place. You should first check your air filter. If it is in bad shape, replace it. If your filter is in good shape, then you likely have a more serious problem, such as a faulty evaporator fan. You will need to call in an HVAC professional such as Action Appliance Services to make repairs. 

If you have iced-over coils, a quick fix may be within your reach. You need not assume that any problem with your AC unit is something better left to the professionals. Taking steps on your own to remove ice and inspect your filter will at the very least save time and will at best fix the problem altogether. The less time it takes for a repair person to get your system working, the less you will have to pay. In any case, troubleshooting is always a good idea.