Why would your compressor freeze over?

Answer 1

They are not supposed to but can for any number of reasons. You need to have a qualified HVAC tech look at your system and determine the cause if you are experiencing this. Its true unless its a heat pump which is normal in winter you should not see a heavy frost or ice. First lets examine a residential scenario without a heat pump. Freezing can be observed at the suction line the larger of the 2 copper pipes that connect between the furnace and condenser or some call it the vapor line and compressor at the condenser and on the evaporator (the inside coil) and metering device or (TXV) on higher end units. Lets examine the easy fixes first one cause can be a blocked air flow ie' a dirty air filter, a blocked evaporator coil, dirt, and dust. On some but not all units it could be a blocked suction filter, a crimped vapor or suction line. There is also the possibility that it has been caused by some kind of leak, a loose fitting, such as at the evaporator metering device which are often compression and flare connections. If the condenser has valves a valve stem packing some can be tightened and a leak fixed and some cannot, I do not recommend doing anything without first doing a simple leak check. Assuming that there is still enough refrigerant in the system with the unit off use a mild soap and apply to the points where there may be a connection as I described above, if bubbles occur, you most likely found your leak, if so do not turn more than and 1/ to a 1/4 tight and always use 2 wrenches one to tighten and 1 to hold back the other fitting. My books have illustrations and how-to-fix-yourself. http://www.lindsey-sells-books.com/