Heat pumps can ice-up throughout the winter time. And it is normal for the whole coil to be covered in a white frost, even light ice, during certain weather. However it is not typical for the entire unit to be encased in ice; consisting of the top of the device and the insides of the coil for a prolonged time period. This indicates a trouble and ought to be attended to swiftly to conserve energy and avoid severe damage to the equipment.
Heat pumps will normally ice-up in the winter season but will periodically enter into a defrost cycle to de-ice the coils. This keeps the device running effectively. If the coils are blocked by ice, proper heat transfer between the refrigerant and the outdoors air can not happen.
How does the defrost cycle work?
On a call for defrost, the reversing valve is energized, changing the system into the air conditioning mode. That is ideal - Air Conditioning. The outdoor evaporator ends up being the condenser but at the very same time the outdoor fan shuts off. This enables the high pressure refrigerant circulating with the outdoor coil to get 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 burning out the vents. When a sensing unit or thermostat in the outdoor device reaches a particular temperature level and/or a certain quantity of time passes, the system goes back to typical heating mode. At this time a cloud of water vapor can typically be seen rising from the outdoor unit and a "whoosh" sound can be heard as the refrigerant reverses direction. The whole procedure normally takes between 2 to 10 minutes relying on conditions.
Different heat pumps have different methods of determining when to enter into defrost. Some (older models) make use of mechanical timers in combination 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 particular temperature, defrost is cancelled. Hopefully at this time, much of the frost has melted off.
Many of the newer equipment today makes use of solid-state control modules with temperature sensing units. Even more sophisticated is the Demand Defrost system which makes computations based on the outdoors air, the refrigerant temperature level in the coil, and run time. This is the most effective means to thaw.
If a heat pump is badly iced-up throughout winter use, it's possible that it's not defrosting, however there are many other causes. Below is a list of possible causes. Items in red usually need a service call. The bottom 4 causes in blue are commonly discovered problems and can be dealt with, even repaired by the homeowner.
A couple of even more things to consider
If the top of the device is covered in ice, turn it off and eliminate the ice.
If a gutter is dripping on the device, repair the rain gutter.
Keep snow and leaves far from device including below it.
If the unit has settled into the ground, it needs to be elevated - usually on blocks or special feet. (Should be done by a specialist).
With the unit off, ice can be removed with a garden hose. If the device ices-up once again, it is time to set up a service call.
Important: Whatever you do, kindly, never choose the ice off with a sharp item. The refrigerant coils and fins can be damaged extremely quickly.
Heat pumps will normally ice-up in the winter season but will periodically enter into a defrost cycle to de-ice the coils. This keeps the device running effectively. If the coils are blocked by ice, proper heat transfer between the refrigerant and the outdoors air can not happen.
How does the defrost cycle work?
On a call for defrost, the reversing valve is energized, changing the system into the air conditioning mode. That is ideal - Air Conditioning. The outdoor evaporator ends up being the condenser but at the very same time the outdoor fan shuts off. This enables the high pressure refrigerant circulating with the outdoor coil to get 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 burning out the vents. When a sensing unit or thermostat in the outdoor device reaches a particular temperature level and/or a certain quantity of time passes, the system goes back to typical heating mode. At this time a cloud of water vapor can typically be seen rising from the outdoor unit and a "whoosh" sound can be heard as the refrigerant reverses direction. The whole procedure normally takes between 2 to 10 minutes relying on conditions.
Different heat pumps have different methods of determining when to enter into defrost. Some (older models) make use of mechanical timers in combination 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 particular temperature, defrost is cancelled. Hopefully at this time, much of the frost has melted off.
Many of the newer equipment today makes use of solid-state control modules with temperature sensing units. Even more sophisticated is the Demand Defrost system which makes computations based on the outdoors air, the refrigerant temperature level in the coil, and run time. This is the most effective means to thaw.
If a heat pump is badly iced-up throughout winter use, it's possible that it's not defrosting, however there are many other causes. Below is a list of possible causes. Items in red usually need a service call. The bottom 4 causes in blue are commonly discovered problems and can be dealt with, even repaired by the homeowner.
A couple of even more things to consider
If the top of the device is covered in ice, turn it off and eliminate the ice.
If a gutter is dripping on the device, repair the rain gutter.
Keep snow and leaves far from device including below it.
If the unit has settled into the ground, it needs to be elevated - usually on blocks or special feet. (Should be done by a specialist).
With the unit off, ice can be removed with a garden hose. If the device ices-up once again, it is time to set up a service call.
Important: Whatever you do, kindly, never choose the ice off with a sharp item. The refrigerant coils and fins can be damaged extremely quickly.