Air Conditioning - What are my chances?

My a/c unit has not been keeping up with the thermostat. I have read several similar problems in the forum here and after checking my units found that the bottom copper coils in the attic unit (arcoaire, i think the model is bygo25 or something similar, should have wrote it down) are frozen over. I also checked the Honeywell electronic filter which is set up before the coils and the filters in it appeared as though they have never been cleaned. They were extremely dirty. I have owned the house for 3 years now and always replaced the ceiling filter whenever it looked dirty. I had no clue there were other filters on the system. I bought ac coil cleaner and sprayed the honeywell filters and they cleaned up like new. The coils themselves were clean, just froze on the bottom. I am waiting to let the coil defrost. From what I read it appears that the coils can freeze from insufficient air flow to them or low freon. My question is, what are my chances of the coil freezing due to the dirty filters and it not being a freon leak? After it thaws out Im going to give it a run and see what happens. Also can someone give me a fair idea of what repairing a leak and recharging the freon might cost? I live in NY. Thanks for your help!

One of the a/c pro's should be along with some good info, but in the meantime you might want to post how old the system is because they're likely to ask.

Thanks Tow Guy for the response. I really dont know how old the system is. The house was built in 85 and it appears like it may be that old. Is there any way to check the units and see how old they are?

If the unit is 22 yrs old id clean the coils clean the filter like you did and run it. If your still having the problem replace it. You should not have two filters in the system. Id remove the cells and pre filter from the EAC and install a cheap pleat at your return grill.

You have to make sure that you cleaned the upstream side of the coil, that is the side where the air first contacts the coil.
You should be able to see light through the coil if you place a trouble light or good flashlight on one side of it.

If it still freezes after it is cleaned then low refrigerant could be possible.
You would do well to pay for a service call to have it checked.

"You have to make sure that you cleaned the upstream side of the coil, that is the side where the air first contacts the coil.
You should be able to see light through the coil if you place a trouble light or good flashlight on one side of it."


The coil has some sort of shroud around it which didnt look very dirty. I sprayed and wiped it with cleaner and am going to fire the system up. Hope it works! Thanks for the posts I'll let you know how it turned out.

I also checked the Honeywell electronic filter which is set up before the coils and the filters in it appeared as though they have never been cleaned. They were extremely dirty.

That EAC filter there is for sure the first cause. Like said clean and clean that coil first. also check the blades on the blower wheel then call a tech to check the freon

also check the blades on the blower wheel


The blades on the blower wheel looked fairly dirty also. Should I use the same cleaner on these as well? And should it be oiled somewhere? The system seems to be working pretty good. It was 85 yesterday and I had the thermostat set to 74. It stayed 74 for most of the day but later in the afternoon it got up to 75, causing the a/c to run all evening. Thanks for all your help so far!

Use a small dry brush and a shop vacOn the blower wheele. Dont miss any blades

Use a small dry brush and a shop vacOn the blower wheele. Dont miss any blades

Thanks Ed!