If your GrandAire central air conditioner coil is icing up, the most likely cause is an open humidifier damper allowing air to bypass the evaporator coil. Set the damper to summer mode or the closed position. Next, check the furnace or air handler blower motor, which may have seized bearings, lost continuity, or failed to receive power. A clogged or damaged blower wheel and housing can also restrict airflow and cause the evaporator coil to freeze. If the blower motor will not run, a defective run capacitor or capacitor may be preventing it from starting. A failed thermal expansion valve, or TXV, can also send the wrong amount of refrigerant through the evaporator coil and create ice. Turn off the air conditioner and let the ice melt before testing or cleaning, and never operate it while the coil is frozen. You can safely inspect the damper and clean the blower wheel, but electrical testing and 240V components require caution. TXV or other sealed-system work involves refrigerant and must be handled by an EPA 608-certified HVAC technician. Enter your model number to find the exact GrandAire replacement part for your central air conditioner.
01 - Humidifier Damper is Open
An open humidifier damper will let air bypass the evaporator coil. This loss of air flow can cause the evaporator coil to freeze up. If you have a humidifier on your furnace or air handler, confirm the humidifer damper is in the "summer mode" or closed position.
Highly Likely
02 - GrandAire Central Air Conditioner Blower Motor
Since the furnace or air handler blower motor is the component that circulates the air through unit to cool it, a defective blower motor could result in the evaporator coil icing up. You can use a multimeter to test the blower motor for electrical continuity, a continuous electrical path present in the motor, as well as determine if power is reaching the motor. You can also try turning the blower wheel by hand. If the wheel does not turn freely, it's likely the motor bearings have seized and the blower motor will need to be replaced.
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03 - GrandAire Central Air Conditioner Blower Wheel and Housing
Over time the blower wheel and housing can become clogged with dust and debris. This will restrict the air flow which could result in the evaporator coil icing up. You can try cleaning the blower wheel with compressed air or with a soft bristle brush. Use caution when trying to clean the blower wheel as the fins are sharp and can be easily damaged. If the blower is damaged it will need to be replaced.
04 - GrandAire Central Air Conditioner Run Capacitor
If the run capacitor is defective, the blower fan motor may fail to run which could result in the evaporator coil icing up. To determine if the run capacitor has failed, test the capacitor with a multimeter. If the capacitor is unable to hold and release a charge or is bulging or leaking, replace it.
If the capacitor is defective, the blower fan motor may fail to run which could result in the evaporator coil icing up. To determine if the capacitor has failed, test the capacitor with a multimeter. If the capacitor is unable to hold and release a charge or is bulging or leaking, replace it.
06 - GrandAire Central Air Conditioner Thermal Expansion Valve
A thermal expansion valve, commonly referred to as a TXV, regulates the amount of refrigerant in the evaporator coil to help maintain an optimal working temperature.