A heat pump is an efficient and versatile heating and cooling system that plays a crucial role in maintaining a comfortable indoor environment.
It transfers heat from one place to another, allowing you to enjoy warm and cool air during the cold winter months in the sweltering summer heat.
However, like any complex system, a heat pump can encounter issues from time to time, and one common problem is when it fails to defrost properly.
In the event that your heat pump’s defrost mode doesn’t clear away ice, or the heat pump keeps icing up repeatedly, an issue with the temperature sensor, wiring, or refrigerant could be to blame.
If you’ve noticed that your heat pump is not defrosting as it should, it’s essential to address the issue promptly to prevent further complications.
A malfunctioning defrosting process can negatively impact the heat pump’s performance, energy efficiency, and overall comfort levels in your home.
In this blog post, we’ll delve into the possible causes behind a heat pump not defrosting and provide some troubleshooting tips to help you identify and resolve the problem.
What Does It Mean To Defrost Your Heat Pump?
During cold weather, your heat pump’s outside coil may ice up. Coils transfer heat from the outside with the help of refrigerant, which lies inside.
If this were true, you might think that the coil would get warm. As a result, the air becomes extremely cold – cold enough to freeze if there is enough moisture in the air. As a preventative measure, heat pumps defrost either:
- To avoid icing up, newer heat pumps come equipped with a thermostat and a sensor to start a defrost mode when necessary.
- Most older models run on a set schedule. A defrost cycle typically takes 30 to 60 minutes.
The heat pump switches its reversing valve when defrosting, whether as set schedule or as needed. Say your heat pump system is in heat mode, pulling heat from the outside.
As a result, the coil outside becomes very cold. The system will switch to air conditioning mode in a few minutes, drawing heat energy from inside and sending it through the coil outside to disperse it. Coils defrost as a result of heat.
The system switches to heat mode if the indoor coil freezes during the summer. In this case, heat will be brought in for just a few minutes – enough time to freeze the coil without overheating your home.
If the reversing valve and refrigerant work correctly, it should work – Unless there is a problem with the heat pump defrost cycle. Now let’s look into the causes.
How To Defrost A Heat Pump?
Don’t be alarmed if ice doesn’t melt immediately or if your heat pump doesn’t wholly thaw a frozen coil for a few hours after turning it on.
You’ll need to know how to manually defrost a heat pump if the defrost cycle fails.
- Power off the heat pump system at the circuit breaker.
- Using a garden hose, spray water over frozen component areas of the heat pump and start melting ice. You should not use tools or sharp objects when chipping away ice from coils because this can result in severe damage.
- You might be experiencing excess ice on your heat pump if you look for the causes. In the case of a dirty air filter, replace it. Get rid of any accumulated debris on the heat pump’s exterior. Repair leaky overhead gutters.
- Make sure that the blower fan motor is functioning correctly by turning the fan “ON” at the thermostat. The blower motor is not a problem if the fan comes on. Leaving the fan running for about an hour will also help the coils thaw by moving air through the system.
- It is recommended that you do not use your heat pump while it is frozen if the above steps fail to clear away the ice. As long as you have a backup heating system installed, it should automatically turn on to keep your home warm.
Having problems with your heat pump’s defrost mode or having your heat pump keep icing up? These problems could be caused by faulty temperature sensors or wiring problems, or low refrigerant levels.
A professional heat pump technician can identify and repair these problems. The defrosting processes for heat pumps shouldn’t be repeated continuously.
Troubleshooting Heat Pump Defrosting Issues
In the summer or winter, ice-ups may occur on heat pumps, but the location may differ. If the outside heat pump fails to defrost properly in winter, it might not work well.
Ice can be built up on the indoor coil in the air handler during the summer months. As the main focus of this article is on the outside unit, the condensing unit, there are a few issues with the indoor unit.
Before calling a heat and air technician, if your heat pump is not defrosting properly, check these possible causes.
The reasons for these issues can be quickly resolved; others require the services of a professional HVAC technician.
Outdoor Fan Issue
It is possible for the fan motor on the outside condensing unit/heat pump to fail or for the coils not to be defrosted effectively if the motor stops working.
Alternatively, a capacitor could malfunction, which stores a little extra electrical charge to boost the fan’s start. Keep your electrical systems safe by following safety precautions.
Faulty Sensor or Thermostat
Heat pumps that use an internal thermostat to signal them to defrost can have faulty thermostats. Ensure the wall thermostat is switched to AC mode for a few minutes.
When the system is activated, it should begin absorbing heat from inside and sending it outside to the frosted-over coil, where it will be defrosted.
As you can see, that’s not a sustainable solution. Having the system diagnosed and repaired properly is essential.
Damaged Coils
A problem with a coil, like corrosion or contact with a lawn tractor, could result in a refrigerant leak that will prevent defrosting.
If you suspect coil damage, call your HVAC technician to inspect the coil, check refrigerant levels, and look for other problems.
Electrical Issues
When the wiring is old, it may fail, which results in the heat pump being unable to defrost. As connections age, they can become faulty, resulting in system failures.
You must look over your heat pump’s wiring to ensure that it is in good working condition and that all the wires are correctly connected.
It’s better to hire an electrician or heating and cooling specialist to replace a wire if you don’t possess much electrical experience.
Faulty Reversing Valve
In our earlier discussion of this valve. As the refrigerant flows differently, your heat pump can switch from air conditioning to heat.
If this valve malfunctions, your heat pump’s defrost mode will not operate correctly. The valve must be replaced when this occurs.
In most cases, a heating and cooling technician would handle this, but you could do it yourself if you’re handy.
Improper Installation
Unless your heat pump defrosts and functions correctly, there is a possibility that the entire installation was not done properly. Ideally, heat pumps should be installed by a heating and cooling company that specializes in the technology.
Improper installations can result from a lack of refrigerant charge or kinks in the refrigerant line caused by careless workmanship.
Another installation issue could arise if the heat pump is installed in an area without proper airflow. It is essential to contact the company that installed your heat pump to have them checked and make the necessary repairs so that it can defrost properly.
It is Low on Refrigerant (Leaking)
When refrigerant or coolant levels are low, the heat pump cannot defrost or defrost mode is not as efficient. When the heat pump is defrosting, refrigerant is pumped through the coils to heat them.
A low refrigerant level will result in a lack of coolant flow through the system. Coils or pipes within the heat pump system can become damaged or broken, or leaks can occur. The situation can be resolved in a few ways if this happens.
Firstly, you can replenish your system with more refrigerant. When recharging does not work, your heat pump’s coils might need to be replaced since they may have ruptured or been leaking.
Recharging and repairing refrigerant leaks can cost anywhere from $200 to $1,000, depending on the damage and amount of refrigerant needed.
Drainage Problems
There could be a blockage caused by leaves, sticks, snow, ice and other debris. Once the temperatures drop, the clog can lead to a buildup of ice on the outside unit, which will definitely affect the heat pump operation.
Ensure everything around the unit is clear and that drainage can occur properly to resolve this issue.
It is important to keep overhead branches trimmed so they don’t always drop leaves and twigs onto the unit. Maintain your gutters and empty them regularly so they don’t leak or overflow onto your heat pump.
Ice and Snow
Those living in colder climates with extreme temperatures and snow may suffer from icing up. Likely, your heat pump will not defrost properly if it is covered in snow or ice. Those elements must go!
Take it slow and easy if you’re removing snow or ice from your heat pump. Never use sharp or hard objects if you have ice or snow buildup on your roof.
It can result in coil damage, reducing efficiency or leading to the coil’s replacement in extreme cases. You should simply brush off the snow or run water over the heat pump to remove the ice or snow that has built up.
Final Words
Diagnosing and resolving heat pump issues can be complex, so it’s essential to approach troubleshooting cautiously.
When in doubt or if the problem persists despite your best efforts, it’s always wise to consult a qualified HVAC technician who can provide expert guidance and professional assistance.
