The usual suspects
A failed defrost cycle
The board or sensor that runs the periodic self-thaw quits — frost compounds into a block.
Low refrigerant
Under-charged coils run too cold and ice faster than defrost can clear.
Blocked drainage or airflow
Leaves and debris around the unit — or roof water dripping onto it — feed the ice.
Freezing-rain events
An ice storm can coat anything; the difference is a healthy unit clears itself within a cycle or two.
Ice never fixes itself.
Defrost boards, sensors and charge issues are exactly what our meters find fast — priced upfront, fixed same-day in most cases.
Book My Same-Day Visit60 seconds online · or call (206) 486-6373
Worth trying first (5 minutes, free)
- 1
Don’t chip, pry, or hot-water it — fins and coils bend for good.
- 2
Clear debris and drips: nothing piled against it, no gutter dripping onto it.
- 3
Switch to emergency heat at the thermostat so the house stays warm while you book — it’s costly, so book same-day.
- 4
Watch one defrost: steam and a whooshing reversal every hour or so is the system fighting correctly.
Still not working? Then it’s a technician job — and the sooner it’s booked, the sooner the house is comfortable again. Book the visit →
Stop and book a pro if…
- Solid ice across the whole coil that a day never clears.
- The fan blades are frozen in place — do not run it.
- Ice returns immediately after every defrost.
- Grinding or slapping sounds — blades may already be contacting ice.
Why homeowners hand it to us
- You approve the price first. Upfront quote before a single screw turns.
- Same-day service. Book in a minute, hear from a tech within 1 business hour.
- 500+ jobs done by 4.9★ rated, professional technicians.
- Fixed right, guaranteed. If it’s not right, we make it right.
Quick answers
Is steam coming off the unit a problem?
The opposite — that’s a defrost cycle working, melting frost into vapor for a few minutes. Steam is good news; permanent ice is the problem.
Can I just run emergency heat all winter?
It keeps you warm at several times the cost — fine as a bridge to the repair visit, ruinous as a lifestyle. Book the fix and get back to efficient heat.
What breaks if I run it iced?
Fan blades hit ice, coils deform, and the compressor strains against blocked airflow — the repair grows every day. Same-day attention is the cheap version.
Done guessing?
Every icy hour risks the fan and coil. Book before the ice wins.
Book My Same-Day Visit60 seconds online · or call (206) 486-6373
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