| It is never normal to see ice in the summer anywhere on a heat pump or central air conditioner. This includes the indoor unit, outdoor unit and interconnecting line-set. It is possible to ice-up the indoor coil however, if the air conditioner is running in very cold weather or if the thermostat is turned down extremely low.
We recommend never turning the thermostat below 70 degrees. If air conditioning is needed during winter months, such as for restaurants or businesses, then a "Low ambient kit" is required and can be installed by a service technician.
If you see ice on a heat pump or air conditioner in the summer there most likely is a problem. Below is a list of possible causes. Items in blue usually require a service call. Items in red however can be addressed, even fixed by the homeowner.
- Bad indoor fan motor- not running/running slow
- Loose, worn, or broken fan belt
- Bad indoor fan relay
- Clogged blower wheel
- Low refrigerant charge
- Restriction
- Blocked capillary tube
- Blocked orifice
- Faulty expansion valve
- Stuck compressor contactor
- Faulty thermostat
- Extremely dirty or damaged indoor coil
- Clogged or blocked air filter
- Supply and/or Return vents closed
- Running air conditioner with windows open
- Setting thermostat too low
The bottom causes are common problems and can be addressed by the homeowner. One other thing to keep in mind: If you have a central humidifier, make sure it is shut off and if it has a damper - close it for the summer.
Hope this helps, remember - these are just rough guidelines and not all possible situations are covered. |
