Symptom
AC Frozen Coil in Killeen: Thaw It, Then Find the Cause
Turn cooling off and set the fan to ON until the ice is gone, then change the filter. If it freezes again, the cause is airflow or a refrigerant leak, and the repair ranges from a $100 to $400 coil cleaning to $200 to $1,500 for leak repair (national ranges, HomeGuide, read November 11, 2026).
Published November 11, 2026 · Figures and rules checked against the sources listed at the end of this page.
Thaw it safely
- Set the thermostat to OFF for cooling and the fan to ON.
- Put towels or a tray under the indoor unit.
- Wait until the coil and the copper line are clear of ice. Do not chip at it.
- Fit a new filter and open every supply vent before restarting.
What causes it, and what the repair costs
| Cause | How to tell | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Clogged filter or closed vents | Thaws and stays clear after a new filter | Cost of a filter |
| Dirty evaporator coil | Weak airflow with a clean filter | $100 to $400 |
| Failing blower motor | Little or no air from the vents | $300 to $900 |
| Low refrigerant (a leak) | Refreezes within a day or two; hissing or oily residue | $200 to $1,500 plus $100 to $600 recharge |
Source: HomeGuide 2026. National figures, not Killeen quotes.
Why a recharge alone is not a fix
Refrigerant is not used up. If the system is low, it has leaked, and adding more without finding the leak means paying for the same visit again. Ask the contractor where the leak is and what the repair costs before agreeing to a recharge. AC repair is licensed work in Texas: check the license first.
Related symptoms
- Water under the indoor unit after a thaw: see AC leaking water.
- Warm air with no ice: start at the AC-not-cooling guide.
Sources and dates
Every figure and rule above names where it came from and the date it was read. Price ranges are national guides; a written quote for your own system is the real number. For permit and license rules, the City and TDLR have the last word. Prices are rechecked at least every six months.
- HomeGuide, “How Much Does AC Repair Cost? (2026)” — read November 11, 2026. National ranges, not Killeen quotes