I've noticed that my A/C has a frozen evaporator coil. A technician came over but mentioned that he can't do any diagnostics until the ice melts. He did confirm that the blower motor is functioning correctly. My system is around 10 years old, and I had the evaporator coil replaced just last year in 2023. I've checked the filters, and they're clean, plus the ducts don't seem to be blocked, which I know can cause freezing. I'm starting to suspect there might be a refrigerant leak. How difficult is it to locate such a leak? I want to avoid getting scammed into unnecessary repairs.
1 Answer
Finding a leak can actually be pretty quick if the technician has an electronic leak detector; it typically takes about 10-15 minutes. I often don’t even charge for the leak check if the customer moves forward with any additional work since it’s so fast. In a properly sized system with good airflow, you usually won’t see a frozen coil just from a low refrigerant charge. You should really think about any airflow issues too; I’ve seen cases where a dirty evaporator coil or blower wheel was the culprit. Just trust your tech like you would trust your doctor – if you don’t, maybe it’s time to find a new one!
Thanks for the insight! I'm thinking low charge is the issue since there haven't been airflow changes recently. What’s the best way for techs to pinpoint where the leak might be?