My Air Conditioner Froze, Then Had a Weak Airflow

Debris

• Foreign objects within the fan housing of an air conditioner can wrap around the condenser fan axle or bind up the gears of the fan, preventing it from turning. Without the fan to blow cold air produced by the condenser into the home, the cold air causes the system to freeze. Airflow slows or stops completely, but you should be able to hear the hum of the fan motor as it tries fruitlessly to turn the fan. To access the fan housing to remove the debris, remove the panels from the sides or top of the air conditioner unit.

Housing

• The fan housing prevents objects from hitting the fan or the fan from damaging other internal air conditioner components. Should the fan stop or the airflow become weak, the fan housing might be hindering the fan movement. After electricity to the unit is shut off, remove the air conditioner fan housing panel to access the fan housing area. Swing the blades of the fan around on their axle to determine if they strike the side of the fan housing. If they do, uninstall the fan and reinstall it correctly, so that the blades clear the fan housing when turning.

Outside Air

• If you run the air conditioner unit while the air outside is cool, the unit might freeze. The first indication that the unit is freezing up is poor airflow. Ice builds up around the cooling coils and blocks the fan. To melt the ice, set the thermostat to a higher temperature setting or turn the unit off completely and allow it to thaw. Also, check the air filter to make sure it is not dirty and blocking the air flow through the unit. Clean it if necessary to restore proper air flow. When you turn the unit back on after it thaws, set it to a higher temperature or lower fan speed to combat the tendency to freeze.

Ball Bearings

• Improperly lubricated fan ball bearings are yet another cause of a frozen air conditioner system. The dry ball bearings work against the easy flow of the fan, which causes the unit to freeze if the fan slows down too much. Weak airflow within the home and a screeching noise is a solid indicator of ball bearing problems. If, on investigation, the ball bearings need lubrication, pour electric motor oil into the lubrication openings at the base of the axle.