Having an iced-up outdoor unit on your heat pump can be bad news because it reduces its heating efficiency, leading to more costly energy bills. You can also damage the compressor, which can be expensive to replace, and not least it means you can end up feeling cold inside your home when you’d rather be warm.
That is why it’s important to know how to safely defrost and iced up outdoor heat pump units yourself, and when it’s best to call the professionals in to do it for you. Read on to find out more.
Reasons your air source heat pump ices up
Let’s take a look at why the outdoor unit for heat pumps can ice up in cold weather. First of all, because your outdoor unit is positioned outside of your home it is vulnerable to getting covered with snow and ice during the colder weather. The good news is that if there is a bit of snow, just sitting on top of your outside unit, it will usually be OK. Instead it’s when the entire unit is iced up, when the coil insides are frozen or when the drain is frozen that there is a real problem.
Preventing your heat pump from freezing
Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to a frozen air source heat pump, as this will ensure that you get the heat, and hot water you need, and that your pump has the longest and most efficient life possible. With that in mind, be sure to inspect your heat pump regularly during the cold weather and to know what to do in case it does ice over.
It also makes sense to schedule regular maintenance visits from an expert, and ensure that any older components or equipment are replaced in a timely manner. Last of all, for prevention make sure that you have a smart thermostat that you can program, as this will allow you to customise your run times, and prevent overwork of the system.
Defrost my heat pump dos and don’ts?
Now, let’s take a look at the dos and don’ts of defrosting your heat pump yourself.
Do use your heat pump’s defrost cycle
First of all, nearly all heat pumps come with a defrost cycle because freezing over is a common problem they encounter. A defrost cycle will usually last about 30 mins and will melt any ice on your outside unit. Once it’s done, your air pump should go back to heating mode.
Remember that your defrost cycle will activate automatically, and you won’t necessarily notice that it is working, although there may be some steam rising from it. If your defrost cycle does not work, this could indicate an underlying problem that needs fixing by a professional.
Don’t use water or tools to defrost your air source heat pump
If your automatic defrost cycle does not work and your heat pump stays frozen, it can be tempting to use other tactics to restore its normal function. You will find many people recommending strategies such as turning the pump off at the mains and then using cold or warm water to defrost your pump, or even using sharp implements to chip away at the ice. However, there is a serious risk of harm to both you and your pump if you choose these options.
Indeed, by using water to defrost your air source heat pump, you could damage the components and even cause thermal shock to the coil, making it unsafe to use. Similarly, chipping away at any ice with tools can dent it or even hit and damage crucial parts.
Underlying problems that need fixing by an air source heat pump specialist
If your heat pump’s defrost cycle is not able to fix the issue with it freezing over, then it could mean that it requires expert repair, inspection, or air source heat pump servicing. For example, your pump needs repairing if it ices up a lot, as this could indicate low refrigerant levels or faulty sensors that need specialist attention. Similarly, if your heat pump ends up running constantly, it may need heat pump servicing as there could be a defrost control malfunction. Additionally, if the ice is obstructing your heat pump fans, you may require professional pump repair.
Professional help for your frozen heat pump
The good news is that our expert team at ServiceMy offer a range of heat pump assistance from routine air source heat pump servicing and inspection to emergency call-outs and repairs. We are air heat pump specialist and that means we know our way around both hybrid heat pumps and more traditional models.
We’re also equipped to do a comprehensive system healthcheck on your unit that can help you identify any issues and get them fixed most efficiently and economically.
We can even help you keep your heat pump in tip-top shape by running heat loss calculations and monitoring it for you, ensuring maximum efficiency, the lowest possible energy bills, and a home that is always a comfortable temperature in any season.
Contact our air source heat pump servicing experts today.
Heat pump defrosting FAQ’s
Can I use hot water to defrost my heat pump?
No, don’t use hot or any other type of water to defrost your heat pump.
Can I chip the ice off my heat pump?
No, you can brush off loose snow, but you risk damaging vital parts of your heat pump by trying to chip off the ice.
Will my heat pump’s defrost cycle be enough?
Usually, yes. If you are still experiencing freezing or problems after your pump’s defrost cycle has run, contact a heat pump specialist.
How can I stop my heat pump from icing up in the first place?
Have it inspected annually, use a smart thermostat, and keep equipment up to date.
When should I call a professional to attend to my iced-up outside heat pump unit?
You should contact an air source heat pump professional if your heat pump’s defrost cycle is not working or has failed to successfully clear the ice.
