 | Robert Freeman
is president and co-owner of Fenix Heating and Cooling. Robert, along with other principals, stared Fenix Heating Cooling in 1988, and is now one of the top 130 Lenox dealers in the U.S. Fenix specializes in residential and commercial installation for both remodel and new construction. Robert can be contacted at Fenix Heating & Cooling, 802 W. 2nd, Wichita KS 67203, by phone at (316) 945-4842, or by fax at (316) 265-4768. |
Heating & Air Conditioning
2001-07-01 15:19:00
Ice can be a big enemy
Question: Why is my unit icing up. I have frost on the coil and copper tubing. Why am I getting such little air flow from my registers?
Answer: There are several things that may be involved in your problem. Check the outdoor unit. Is it clean and free of debris? Is the filter in the furnace clean? If both of them are clean and you still don't have good results, then examine the following.First, the unit may be low on freon. Hopefully, a small charge of freon will be all that is needed. If you suspect a leak, then hopefully it can be found and repaired. If it is beyond repair, then replacement of the portion of the system that is leaking will be necessary. There are three components that might be leaking . . . the outdoor unit, the evaporation coil (that is normally inside lip of the furnace) or the refrigerant lines. Now to address the final portion of your question - poor air flow from the registers. Once we have established the system has a proper freon charge and the outdoor unit and indoor furnace filters are clean, this leaves us with only two other areas that need to be checked. The evaporator coil may need to be cleaned to remove any build-up of debris that blocks air flow. The last thing to check is the blower inside the furnace, as it can have a build-up of debris, which again reduces air flow.Remember, keeping the system clean is the most important thing you can do. Change the furnace filter every month. Wash out the outdoor unit at least 3 or 4 times during the cooling season.
