Why This Matters in Georgetown TX
Georgetown's high summer heat loads push AC systems hard. When a marginal condition — 10% low refrigerant, slightly clogged coil, or a failing blower motor — occurs on a 103°F day, the evaporator coil can drop below freezing and ice over rapidly. Georgetown homeowners often notice ice on the copper line set outside or see water pooling near the air handler. Both are indicators of the same root cause. The counter-intuitive part: you need to let the system thaw before repairs can be properly made — running it frozen accelerates compressor wear.
Common Causes & What They Cost
Our Georgetown technicians diagnose these issues daily. Here's what we find most often.
Low refrigerant drops evaporator coil temperature below 32°F. Moisture from the air freezes on the coil instead of draining as condensate. The ice progressively builds, blocking airflow completely.
$150–$350 for recharge; additional if leak detectedInsufficient airflow across the evaporator coil causes the same temperature drop as low refrigerant. A completely clogged filter, failed blower motor, or blocked return air grille can freeze the coil within hours.
$0 for filter change; $250–$450 for blower motorA fouled evaporator coil restricts airflow through the coil itself, even if the blower is functioning. A thick layer of dust and biological growth on the coil fins acts as insulation and an airflow barrier.
$150–$280 for professional coil cleaningRunning an AC system when outdoor temperatures drop below 60°F can freeze the coil due to reduced refrigerant pressure. This is less common in Georgetown summers but can occur in shoulder seasons.
No repair needed — operational issueHow We Diagnose It
We ask you to turn the system to FAN ONLY mode (not OFF — fan helps thaw) for 2–3 hours before arrival, or OFF if the fan won't run. We don't attempt repairs on a frozen coil.
After thawing, we identify whether the freeze was caused by low refrigerant, airflow restriction, or coil fouling — all three require different repairs.
We test refrigerant charge under operating conditions to confirm low charge vs. the correct charge at time of service.
If refrigerant is confirmed low, we test for leaks. Small leaks can be repaired; major coil leaks may warrant coil replacement or system replacement depending on system age.