Have a Frozen Heat Pump? Don’t worry, it’s Normal during winter! Many homeowners with newly installed heat pumps might be alarmed when they notice on a cold day that the outdoor part of their heating system appears to have frozen over. Don’t panic, because this is actually completely normal! However, there are some instances in which a frozen heat pump could indicate a problem with your unit. So let’s take a look at why your heat pump freezes over and what you can do to prevent it from happening when it shouldn’t. Why does a heat pump freeze up during winter? If you read our blog about how a heat pump works, you’ll know that heat pumps use refrigerant to absorb heat from the air outside – even when it’s cold out. As heat from the air outside is transferred to that refrigerant, some excess moisture from the air builds up on your unit’s coils. On cold days, that moisture can freeze into layers on your heat pump, making it difficult for your unit to perform properly.

How does a heat pump protect itself from freezing? Luckily, your heat pump is designed to handle the buildup of ice that we described above. You see, your heat pump has a defrost cycle that kicks on when it detects excessive ice buildup. While in the defrost mode, your heat pump essentially operates in the cooling mode and allows heat from the refrigerant to melt the ice away. As this is happening, a backup heating cycle keeps your home warm until the ice has melted away and the heat pump is ready to operate as normal again. It should be noted that if your heat pump is still frozen after 30 minutes in the defrost cycle, you should contact Jerry Kelly. How can you help protect your heat pump from freezing? One of the primary reasons why your heat pump might freeze over when it normally shouldn’t is a lack of proper airflow. In order to prevent this from happening, you can: Check, clean or change your filter every month Remove any ice that has built up on the top of your outdoor unit (use a garden hose to melt ice away instead of jabbing it with a sharp object, which might bend the fins underneath)

Clear away any excess snow or debris that has built up around your outdoor unit If you have any questions about a heat pump freezing during winter, or if you’d like an HVAC system serviced or installed in your home, contact Jerry Kelly heating and air conditioning. We service the St. Louis area and surrounding towns like Manchester, St. Paul and Clayton, MO.Now, I have to ask...ice or frost? A layer of frost is not a problem, most units are factory programmed to 'de-frost' about every 90 minutes. A layer of ice is a problem.  This invariably is a dilemma with heat pumps.  It's probably a malfunctioning defrost control which could cost between $350 and $1,000 to replace. The temporary fixes you can try prior to your service technician arriving are: Go to your thermostat and switch it to 'cooling'.  This puts the unit effectively into defrost mode.  Once the ice has melted, return it to the heat position. String some Christmas lights on the unit, the warmth from the bulbs will keep the ice from forming. 

Do not use the new LED Lights for this, they don't generate enough heat to work.  Make sure this string of lights is plugged into a GFCI protected circuit. Shine large workshop type spotlights onto the unit. Know this about your heat pump: On a cold, wet morning it is only going to warm your inside air about 20 degrees when measured at the supply register.  air conditioner units for tentsThat means if your thermostat is set at 70 degrees and your unit is maintaining that temperature, the air temp at the supply register won't be over 90 degrees. sizing a hvac unitThat's cooler than your body temperature, it will not feel like the heat is on.ac unit tubing For that reason, we tell people never adjust the heat pump thermostat throughout the day. 

You cannot wake up in the morning and ask your unit to raise the temperature while you get ready for work and then drop the setting to let it rest while you are gone. For heat pumps in winter, pick a livable temperature and leave it there until the spring, it is how the unit was designed to work. Our thanks to Green Valley Heating and Cooling and Yavapai Heating and Cooling for their photos.A cover protects an air conditioning unit during winter months. An outside air conditioning unit, often referred to as an HVAC unit, is a lifesaver during hot summer months. During the winter, you may want to winterize the unit to protect it against cold weather, snow and ice. Winterizing the unit also protects it against rust damage. A few protective measures can keep the air conditioning unit in your real estate investment in top working condition. Find the air conditioning circuit near your unit. Usually, it has a plastic or metal lid that covers the electrical circuit. Open the lid and flip the switch to turn the unit off.

This prevents the unit from turning on during an unusually warm winter day, keeping water out of the unit that could potentially freeze. Wash the air conditioning unit with a hose to remove bird droppings, dead bugs, dirt and dust. Remove leaves, small branches and grass clippings from the unit. Allow the unit to dry completely. Install foam pipe covers around exterior exposed pipes. Cut the foam to fit the length and diameter of the pipe. The foam covers insulate the pipes and protect them against freezing temperatures. Wrap duct tape around the foam covers to hold them in place. Cover the HVAC unit with a plastic or vinyl cover. Choose a cover that is waterproof. Some manufacturers make covers that are specifically designed for air conditioners, but you can use any plastic or vinyl covering that fits over the unit. Wrap vinyl ropes or bungee cords around the air conditioning cover to keep it secure. Make sure the cover is wrapped tightly so it doesn't blow away in strong winds. Check your air conditioner once a week to make sure the cover is secure.