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Ok ladies and gents.
Purchased a home, new to us and noticed some icing on this part of my furnace.
The AC is on, set to 70 and the ambient temp outside is 82.
It's an R22 unit .
Is this bad, good or normal? I'm pretty handy at most things but no experience with this.
Question from user Dry_Fig1158 at hvacadvice at reddit.
Answer:
The presence of icing on a part of your furnace can indicate a potential issue that should be addressed. Here are a few considerations regarding the icing on your furnace:
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Airflow Issues: Icing can occur when there is restricted airflow across the evaporator coil of the air conditioning system. This could be due to a dirty air filter, blocked vents or registers, or a malfunctioning blower motor. Insufficient airflow can cause the evaporator coil to become too cold and lead to icing.
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Refrigerant Problems: If the refrigerant level is low, it can result in the evaporator coil becoming excessively cold and leading to icing. The fact that your AC unit uses R22 refrigerant, which is being phased out due to environmental concerns, may complicate the situation if refrigerant needs to be added or repaired.
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Thermal Expansion Valve (TXV) Issues: The TXV is a component that regulates the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator coil. Malfunctions or improper adjustment of the TXV can cause icing problems.
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Defrost Cycle: In some cases, a heat pump or certain AC units have a defrost cycle that melts accumulated ice on the evaporator coil. If your unit has this feature, the icing you observe may be part of the normal operation.
Given that you're new to the home and unfamiliar with the specific circumstances of your AC system, it's advisable to consult a professional HVAC technician. They will be able to assess the situation, diagnose any issues, and provide appropriate recommendations for resolving the icing problem. It's always better to address potential HVAC problems early to prevent further damage and ensure efficient and safe operation of your system.