Turn It Off Now
If you see ice on your outside unit or the copper pipes, turn the AC off immediately. Switch the thermostat fan setting from Auto to On. This forces warm house air over the indoor coil to melt the ice. Do not try to chip the ice off. You will puncture the coils. Let it melt naturally.
Poor Airflow Issues
Ice forms when the cold coil inside your house cannot absorb heat. The most common reason is bad airflow. A dirty air filter blocks the air, which is why changing it on a real schedule matters more than people think. Closed supply vents block the air too. We see this a lot in Anderson Township split-levels where homeowners close upstairs vents to force air downstairs. Don't do that. It starves the system and causes freeze-ups.
The Refrigerant Leak
If your airflow is fine, the usual cause is a refrigerant leak. When refrigerant gets low, the pressure drops. Low pressure makes the coil temperature drop below freezing. Ohio River Valley humidity hits that freezing coil and turns instantly to ice. The ice travels down the lines to the outside unit.
Bad Blower Motor
Your indoor blower motor pushes air through the system. If the motor dies or the fan belt snaps, the air stops moving. The coil drops in temperature and freezes over. You will notice zero air coming out of your vents when this happens.
Getting It Fixed
Once the ice melts, we can test the system. We charge a flat $89 diagnostic fee to find the problem. We check the pressures, the motor, and the airflow. Our Repairs First policy means we locate the actual broken component. We give you the cost to fix it before we do the work. No pressure. More on what our AC repair service covers, or get on the schedule.