Seeing ice on your AC unit in the middle of a Spring TX summer seems backwards — but a frozen evaporator coil is one of the most common AC problems. Here's the step-by-step of what to do, what caused it, and how to prevent it from happening again.
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Turn the thermostat to FAN ONLY (not OFF, not COOL). The fan will run continuously to thaw the coil. This takes 2–4 hours. Do NOT run in cooling mode while frozen — you risk cracking the coil and damaging the compressor.
💰 Cost: Free — immediate action
Restricted airflow from a clogged filter causes the coil to drop below freezing. After thawing, replace the filter and try cooling again. If the unit freezes again within a day, the filter wasn't the only issue.
💰 Cost: $5–$25 for new filter
Low refrigerant pressure causes the coil temperature to drop below freezing. If the unit freezes again after filter replacement, refrigerant is the likely cause. Requires a licensed technician.
💰 Cost: $200–$600 for leak repair + recharge
Closed supply vents restrict airflow across the coil. Walk through the house and confirm every vent is open and unobstructed. This is surprisingly common — especially after cleaning or rearranging furniture.
💰 Cost: Free DIY fix
Even with a clean filter, a coated evaporator coil reduces airflow and heat transfer, leading to freezing. Annual maintenance prevents this buildup.
💰 Cost: $200–$400 professional cleaning
A failing blower motor reduces airflow even with a clean filter. If the air from your vents feels weak, the blower may be the cause. Needs diagnosis.
💰 Cost: $300–$600 blower motor replacement
Counterintuitively, AC units freeze because of insufficient airflow or low refrigerant — not because it's too cold. In Texas summer, the most common causes are a clogged air filter restricting airflow across the coil, or low refrigerant from a leak causing coil pressure to drop below freezing.
Switch the thermostat to FAN ONLY immediately — not OFF. Let it run for 2–4 hours to thaw the coil. Do NOT run in cooling mode while frozen. After thawing, replace the air filter and try cooling again. If it freezes again, call for a refrigerant diagnosis.
No — running the AC in cooling mode while frozen can crack the evaporator coil and damage the compressor, turning a $300 repair into a $3,000 one. Switch to FAN ONLY to thaw first.
Change your air filter every 3–4 weeks in Texas summer, keep all vents open and unobstructed, schedule annual maintenance including coil cleaning, and have refrigerant levels checked if the unit is more than 5 years old.
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1827 Riley Fuzzel Rd Suite C, Spring, TX 77386
Serving Harmony, Benders Landing, Legends Ranch, Imperial Oaks, Spring Trails, The Woodlands.
19507 Wied Rd Suite B, Spring, TX 77388
Serving Klein, Champion Forest, Vintage Park, Gleannloch Farms, Tomball, Cypress.
AC Repair Expo Heating & Cooling Inc — same-day diagnosis and repair across Spring TX, The Woodlands, Tomball, Klein, and North Houston. Honest diagnosis, fair pricing, licensed TACLB43277C.
Riley Fuzzel Rd: 1827 Riley Fuzzel Rd Suite C, Spring TX 77386 · Wied Rd: 19507 Wied Rd Suite B, Spring TX 77388
