Heat pumps can ice-up during the winter season time. And it is normal for the entire coil to be covered in a white frost, even light ice, during certain weather. But it is not regular for the whole unit to be framed in ice; consisting of the top of the device and the ins of the coil for an extended amount of time. This indicates a problem and ought to be addressed quickly to conserve energy and stay clear of severe damage to the equipment.
Heat pumps will normally ice-up in the winter season however will regularly go into a defrost cycle to de-ice the coils. This keeps the device running effectively. If the coils are blocked by ice, appropriate heat transfer between the refrigerant and the outdoors air can not happen.
How does the defrost cycle work?
On a require defrost, the reversing valve is stimulated, changing the system into the a/c mode. That is best - Air Conditioning. The outdoor evaporator becomes the condenser however at the exact same time the outdoor fan shuts off. This enables the high pressure refrigerant distributing through the outdoor coil to obtain hot, melting the ice.
At the exact same, the 2nd stage heat (the back-up heat) is stimulated to balance out or temper the cold air now blowing out the vents. When a sensing unit or thermostat in the outdoor device reaches a specific temperature and/or a certain quantity of time passes, the system goes back to normal heating mode. At this time a cloud of water vapor can typically be seen increasing from the outdoor device and a "whoosh" sound can be heard as the refrigerant reverses direction. The entire procedure generally takes between 2 to 10 minutes depending on conditions.
Different heat pumps have various methods of determining when to enter into defrost. Some (older models) make use of mechanical timers in conjunction with a defrost thermostat. If the thermostat is cold enough and enough time goes by, the device will certainly enter into the defrost mode, whether it's iced-up or not. When the thermostat warms to a certain temperature level, defrost is terminated. Ideally at this time, much of the frost has actually melted off.
Most of the newer equipment today uses solid-state control modules with temperature level sensors. Much more advanced is the Demand Defrost system which makes computations based upon the outdoors air, the refrigerant temperature in the coil, and run time. This is the most effective way to thaw.
If a heat pump is significantly iced-up throughout winter use, it's possible that it's not defrosting, but there are many other causes. Below is a list of possible causes. Products in red normally require a service call. The bottom 4 causes in blue are commonly found troubles and can be resolved, even repaired by the house owner.
A couple of even more things to think about
If the top of the unit is covered in ice, turn it off and eliminate the ice.
If a rain gutter is dripping on the unit, repair the gutter.
Keep snow and leaves away from system consisting of underneath it.
If the unit has settled into the ground, it has to be raised - typically on blocks or special feet. (Should be done by a professional).
With the unit off, ice can be removed with a yard hose. If the unit ices-up once again, it is time to set up a service call.
Important: Whatever you do, please, never pick the ice off with a sharp object. The refrigerant coils and fins can be harmed very easily.
Learn more heating repair and maintenance tips here.
Heat pumps will normally ice-up in the winter season however will regularly go into a defrost cycle to de-ice the coils. This keeps the device running effectively. If the coils are blocked by ice, appropriate heat transfer between the refrigerant and the outdoors air can not happen.
How does the defrost cycle work?
On a require defrost, the reversing valve is stimulated, changing the system into the a/c mode. That is best - Air Conditioning. The outdoor evaporator becomes the condenser however at the exact same time the outdoor fan shuts off. This enables the high pressure refrigerant distributing through the outdoor coil to obtain hot, melting the ice.
At the exact same, the 2nd stage heat (the back-up heat) is stimulated to balance out or temper the cold air now blowing out the vents. When a sensing unit or thermostat in the outdoor device reaches a specific temperature and/or a certain quantity of time passes, the system goes back to normal heating mode. At this time a cloud of water vapor can typically be seen increasing from the outdoor device and a "whoosh" sound can be heard as the refrigerant reverses direction. The entire procedure generally takes between 2 to 10 minutes depending on conditions.
Different heat pumps have various methods of determining when to enter into defrost. Some (older models) make use of mechanical timers in conjunction with a defrost thermostat. If the thermostat is cold enough and enough time goes by, the device will certainly enter into the defrost mode, whether it's iced-up or not. When the thermostat warms to a certain temperature level, defrost is terminated. Ideally at this time, much of the frost has actually melted off.
Most of the newer equipment today uses solid-state control modules with temperature level sensors. Much more advanced is the Demand Defrost system which makes computations based upon the outdoors air, the refrigerant temperature in the coil, and run time. This is the most effective way to thaw.
If a heat pump is significantly iced-up throughout winter use, it's possible that it's not defrosting, but there are many other causes. Below is a list of possible causes. Products in red normally require a service call. The bottom 4 causes in blue are commonly found troubles and can be resolved, even repaired by the house owner.
A couple of even more things to think about
If the top of the unit is covered in ice, turn it off and eliminate the ice.
If a rain gutter is dripping on the unit, repair the gutter.
Keep snow and leaves away from system consisting of underneath it.
If the unit has settled into the ground, it has to be raised - typically on blocks or special feet. (Should be done by a professional).
With the unit off, ice can be removed with a yard hose. If the unit ices-up once again, it is time to set up a service call.
Important: Whatever you do, please, never pick the ice off with a sharp object. The refrigerant coils and fins can be harmed very easily.
Learn more heating repair and maintenance tips here.