How to thaw it safely
- Set the thermostat to Off and the fan to On.
- Replace a dirty filter.
- Place towels near the indoor unit; melting ice produces a lot of water.
- Wait several hours for all ice to melt before turning cooling back on.
Why it happens
- Airflow: dirty filters, closed vents, blocked returns, a dirty indoor coil, or a weak blower.
- Refrigerant: a leak lowers pressure and coil temperature.
- Running in cool weather: cooling on mild nights can freeze some systems.
When to call
If it freezes again after a new filter, there is an airflow or refrigerant problem that needs a technician. Schedule AC repair.