Knowing how to deal with ice in a ductless cooling system is one of the most important tricks to maintain a ductless mini-split unit. You may notice excess condensation in the drain pan, or that ice has accumulated on the evaporator coil. In this case, turn off the unit immediately. Make sure you clear the area around your unit because water may leak out as the ice thaws. To prevent this kind of issue and maintain the efficiency of your mini-split, it’s important to know the common causes.
If your air conditioner does not seem to be working as well as it should, your natural first reaction is to go out and look at the unit to see if there is anything you can do quickly to correct the problem. Of course, you cannot assess the situation unless you know what you are looking for. For instance, if you see ice forming on the condenser coil or anywhere else on the air conditioning system, you will know you found the likely source of the problem.
Poor Air Circulation
If air isn’t moving over the evaporator coil as it should, it may lead to a buildup. The cold air stays right on top of the coil and freezes the condensation. The air filter may be a problem. If it’s excessively dirty, or otherwise not in working order, it will restrict the airflow. Try cleaning or replacing the filter if it doesn’t appear to be in good condition. The evaporator coil itself may also be defective or dirty. Get regular maintenance on your ductless system to make sure the coil won’t cause you any problems down the road. The last problem is that the fan or blower may be failing to move air away from the coil. Regular inspections should help you keep the peace of mind that your fan is working properly. Also, make sure that nothing around the unit could be blocking the free movement of air.
Low Refrigerant
If your ductless air conditioner freezes up, it may be because the refrigerant is low. The lack of refrigerant will cause the air conditioner to work harder to create cool air, and excessive cooling can cause a buildup of ice. Some air conditioners leak refrigerant slowly over time, and only a certified HVAC technician is qualified to fix this problem for you.
Low Outside Temperature
The final cause may simply be that the outside temperature is already near or below freezing levels. To prevent an ice buildup caused by freezing external temperatures, avoid engaging the air conditioner unit in cold temperatures.
This ice actually manages to insulate the coil and keeps it from properly cooling the air or removing any additional moisture. If left unattended, the ice in your mini split air conditioning system can cause real damage to the unit. Plus, it is not allowing the air conditioner to do its job and cool your house down. So, if you notice any amount of ice at all beginning to form on any part of your air conditioner, be sure to call for professional service right away.
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