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bjohnson79 · May 8, 2007, 02:55 PM

O.K. My condenser is freezing as well as the copper pipe on the indoor unit. I have replaced all the filters, cleaned the condenser and checked all the vents. Why is my condenser freezing after only being on for 30 min. or so?? HELP!!

hvac1000 · May 8, 2007, 04:54 PM

The evaporator is inside. The condenser is outside. Which one is freezing up?

JackT · May 8, 2007, 04:55 PM

When you say condenser, which coil are you referring to, inside or outside. Is it a heat pump, is the outside unit freezing when you're heating your house or is the inside unit icing up when you run it in cooling. If it's a straight AC system and you're icing up your outside condenser, we have a problem.

bjohnson79 · May 9, 2007, 04:52 AM

Both the outside and inside are freezing. On the outside it is the whole unit inside under the fins and on the inside it is one single cooper pipe that I am guessing leads to the condenser or from the condenser. Also, I can not turn the fan off with the thermostat, I have to trip the breaker. Any thoughts?

bjohnson79 · May 9, 2007, 04:54 AM

It is an ac/ heat unit and I am trying to run the ac.

hvac1000 · May 9, 2007, 06:49 AM

You probably have a shortage of refrigerant. (freon trade name of Dupont Corporation). Looks like you will need a service call on your unit. While the professional service man is there make sure you tell them to find the leak. While some may suggest you can do it yourself there is a large Federal fine for non license use of refrigerant and if you do not know what you are doing more damage to the unit will result.

bjohnson79 · May 9, 2007, 07:44 AM

Wow! That's all it needs?? I thought it was going to be a huge problem. Thank you so much for your help!

JackT · May 9, 2007, 05:24 PM

It's not normal for a unit that's low on refrigerant to completely freeze up within 30 minutes ofter being turned on. You must also have other problems. Even if its low on refrigerant the condensing unit should still shut off with the thermostat. I'd check too see if your compressor contactor is stuck closed and the unit continues to run even when the evaporator fan has shut off. When your inside blower shuts off your outside unit must also be off, if not it won't take long to freeze up the coils.

letmetellu · May 9, 2007, 05:55 PM

I would like to add to and agree with the answer JackT gave you. A very dirty evap coil will do the same thing that he mentioned about the compressor continuing to run but I think it would talk a little longer.

hvac1000 · May 9, 2007, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by letmetellu

I would like to add to and agree with the answer JackT gave you. A very dirty evap coil will do the same thing that he mentioned about the compressor continuing to run but I think it would talk a little longer.

Could also have started by low ambiant conditions. Stuck contactor? That is why they has professional to check things out by visiting the property.

letmetellu · May 9, 2007, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by hvac1000

Could also have started by low ambiant conditions. Stuck contactor? That is why they has professional to check things out by visiting the property.

LIke you said hvac1000 it could have been many things, like a bad expansion valve or a plugged piston in a cap-flo-rater. Or many others, but I thought this was a place to read the questions and the answers that have been posted and then give your opinion if you have one that has not been broached. If I answered every question the way I think they should be it would be something like the last sentence of your quote. I would tell them that they should call a pro in every case.

JackT · May 9, 2007, 07:45 PM

It's hard to figure out answers to all the questions that are posted. As professional people we all understand that's it's impossible to have both the condenser and the evaporator coils both frozen with ice at the same time. We have to take the information provided to us from people who are not professional service technicians and are asking for are opinions and possible solutions. The problem here goes back to the basic refrigeration system. Ice on the evaporator coil is caused by lack of air flow with many possible reasons. Dirty filters, evap. Blower not running, dirty coil, return air blocked. etc. Lack of refrigerant can also cause ice but normally it takes time for the ice to build up with the low suction pressure and lack of refrigerant.

hvac1000 · May 9, 2007, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by letmetellu

LIke you said hvac1000 it could have been many things, like a bad expansion valve or a plugged piston in a cap-flo-rater. Or many others, but I thought this was a place to read the questions and the answers that have been posted and then give your opinion if you have one that has not been broached. If I answered every question the way I think they should be it would be something like the last sentence of your quote. I would tell them that they should call a pro in every case.

I guess you forget that by helping some people do some things you are breaching the law. That is the federal law. Should we talk about the permit or license required to enter a sealed A/C system as required by the EPA or that the person working on the sealed system has to have a recovery system and a recovery tank and know how to use them? Are we placing the questioner at a disadvantage by trying to explain what they will never understand and thus causing more confusion? Most of the time I follow the thread to see if the person has any idea of what is going on and I try to add to the thread by giving simple answers. When I feel that the person does not understand by there replies I usually mention calling a professional before more damage is done to the unit or to the person that could be working on the unit. It has been said many times that a little information can be a dangerous thing and we all need to understand when to stop the information flow and guide the problem in the proper direction which means it is time to call a pro and get the repair done with safety and no further damage to the unit.

JackT · May 10, 2007, 02:53 AM

That's what make's it hard to suggest things to people. Anyone of us to go out to the home and figure out the problem in a few minutes. But it's hard to determine when to draw the line in the sand and tell them to call for service.

hvacservicetech_07 · May 10, 2007, 03:28 AM

The best answer will always be "call a pro", but I understand that some people can't afford it, I can't even tell you how many freebies I've done this winter just because I felt sorry for people. I think that anytime people mention a problem that might be a possible low on charge issuse we shouldn't even waiste our time typing up these answers, obviously they aren't going to be able to fix this issue, so I'm my opinion the answer should be, call a pro!

bjohnson79 · May 10, 2007, 04:57 AM

I have someone coming on Friday. Thank you everybody for all of your help!!