You depend on your HVAC system to keep your home or office comfortable year-round. Not only that, but keeping the property and any inventory in good condition depends on being able to maintain reasonable temperatures, no matter the condition. When your HVAC system freezes up, it can’t provide the heating or cooling you need during the winter.
Here are some strategies that you can use to keep your HVAC system from freezing up when the weather turns cold.
Make Sure Your System Is Properly Sized
One of the main reasons why HVAC systems freeze up at any time of year is when they are being overtaxed for heating or cooling. That’s why it’s important to make sure that your unit is properly sized and rated for the space and for the level of heating or cooling you demand.
A common problem is when a commercial space gets taken over for a different type of use from the previous owner, but the HVAC system doesn’t get upgraded. For example, a gift shop might not need cooling in the winter, but a bakery might, and if the HVAC wasn’t upgraded as part of the transition, the result could lead to the system freezing.
Another problem is when people expect heat pumps to be the sole source of heating in the winter, but their ability to import heat from outside diminishes when the temperature drops. A supplemental heating system is often recommended.
Get Regular Maintenance
Many of the potential causes of HVAC system freezing can be prevented by getting regular HVAC maintenance.
One of the most common causes of freezing HVAC systems is a lack of air flow. Air flow to the system can be hampered by a dirty air filter, so you should make sure your air filter is cleaned or replaced as recommended. An out-of-tune system can run less efficiently, which can cause it to freeze up under loads that it should be able to handle or could handle in the past. Low refrigerant is another potential cause of freezing. Dirty coils can also decrease the efficiency of the unit, so you will want to get them cleaned regularly. A poorly working compressor or a broken reversing valve on a heat pump can also lead to freezing.
These and many other causes of a frozen HVAC system can be addressed with regular HVAC maintenance.
Perform the Maintenance You Can
However, not all maintenance must be handled by an HVAC technician. There are many things you can and should be doing to keep your HVAC system from freezing. If you can change or clean the air filter, then you should be doing it regularly. In addition, keep the unit’s air intake free of snow, ice, leaves, and anything else that might block it. If you know where the drain for condensate is, you should clean it to make sure water is able to drain away and not freeze in place.
Use Your System as Recommended
Another important step to keep your HVAC system from freezing is to use it as recommended. If, for example, you have been instructed to keep the temperature in a certain range, not following that recommendation can lead to your system freezing. Often, AC units aren’t designed to work in winter, and if you’ve been told not to use it, or switch to vent settings, then you should do that. Likewise, if you’ve been instructed that you should use your auxiliary heat system when temperatures drop below a certain point, then you should turn on the auxiliary heat system as directed to avoid freezing.
Get Help If Your System Is Frozen
If your HVAC system is frozen, you need help to avoid damage to the system, and to prevent freezing in the future. At Major Heating and Air Conditioning, we’ve been helping people across the Front Range to enjoy comfortable temperatures year-round at home and at work since 1970. We offer 24/7 emergency service, so we can get out to fix your frozen HVAC unit as soon as possible. That way, you don’t have to endure uncomfortable, damaging, or dangerous temperatures any more than necessary.
People depend on Major Heating and Air Conditioning because we are committed to offering the highest quality service and products at an exceptional value. You can trust that we live up to that promise because we have maintained an A+ rating since 1983.
Our technicians will arrive and assess the situation. They can perform any necessary furnace repairs, but if you need new equipment, they can offer you a free estimate on the system you’ll need.
To learn how Major Heating and Air Conditioning can help you deal with a freezing HVAC system, please contact us today. We serve customers in Denver and throughout the Front Range.
