Filter very dirty? Using the restrictive 3M Filtrete filters?

Could have a bad blower motor. In either case, it's bad for the unit to be running with low airflow over the coil.

Another major cause is low refrigerant, which causes the indoor coil to freeze, becoming essentially a block of ice, blocking airflow. Is the suction line (black insulated refrigerant pipe) iced up?

The filter was put in a few months ago... one of those big/thick ones... and it was blowing fine yesterday.

The black refrigerant pipe is dripping (dew) like crazy, but can't see the ice if there is any due to the insulation.

I had the A/C off for about an hour when I checked, so maybe the dripping is melted ice.

Shucks. I suppose I'll have to call the A/C guy, eh?

Thanks
Kelton

Kelton,

Calling an HVAC professional is the best thing for you and your system. I would not let it run like this for long, as you seem to know, since it's not good for the system.

Let us know how things turn out.

Is there any way you can access the coil (remove screws/panel) to look at the coil? If it is iced up, you know you need to call.

The best systems can freeze on a very humid day. There are points in the coil that are real close to freezing and if the humidity got real hi in the house, you have so much water running down the coil that it slows the air flow down just a little and it will start freezing. When this happens turn off the air for a couple of
hours, but leave the blower on the help get the ice off. This can happen and it doesn't mean that you need a service man. Myself i don't like the big filters, because some times they slow the air flow down too much. but if yours was working before it should be ok. later paulbm

Thanks very much for all the VERY timely responses!

I'll do as instructed.

If, after the "thaw", the air blows nicely... does that mean that I still need to call an expert?... or is it just an anomaly that I need to keep an eye on?

Ok.. I just turned on the fan...hmmmm. On "fan" all by itself... the air is coming out rather cold.

Does this mean that the air is being chilled by the "iced" coils? (meaning that "icing" is the problem?)

At this point, I might even say that the air is actually moving more quickly through the vents as well... but I don't trust this impression yet.

Letting more time pass....

Kelton

Yep... it's coming out faster now!

Also, I just ran down to the garage to feel the metal box that, I think, contains the coil...and it is very cold to the touch...with very chilly condensation.

The A/C is still off... just running the fan.

Wow.. thanks.

I moved from Orlando, Florida to escape the heat. I can live in the cold... I don't mind shivering... but I sweat like James Brown in warm humidity. And I'm skinny as a rail.
Coolness is important to me, and I appreciate the help.

Man, the internet blows my mind! (in a good way)

Kelton

sounds like the ice is coming off and as it does the air flow will get faster.
I would try it some more before you call a service man. When your ice is all gone your drain will stop running and you can turn your air back on. The thing what a lot of people do is when it is cooler out side the open there windows and when they do this , some times they pop the humidity right back to the house, and thats what freezes up the air coil. So like i said this can happen once in a while.
Like has been said if this happens too much you should have your charge checked. Later Paulbm