If the heat pump in your Savannah home is freezing up, it’s important to know how to troubleshoot the problem, and when to call an >HVAC professional. A small amount of frost or ice on the condenser coil is perfectly normal. To deal with it, your unit may have a pressure switch that detects frost, or simply a timer that switches the heat pump into A/C mode every 30, 60 or 90 minutes. When it reverses, hot refrigerant flows through the condenser coil to melt the accumulated ice.
When A Frozen Heat Pump Can Cause Problems
If an icy build-up covers the condenser completely, the defrost cycle won’t work properly, because heat from the refrigerant can’t transfer to the air outside. If this happens, it can permanently damage your heat pump. Taking the following steps can help you avoid repairs:
- Maintain proper air flow. Outdoor debris such as branches, grass or leaves can accumulate underneath and around the condenser, blocking proper air flow. Ice can also collect if the coils are dirty and retain moisture. To avoid a heat pump freeze-up, keep the area free of yard debris and clean the coils before heating season begins.
- Eliminate ice the safe way. Never use a sharp instrument or tool to remove ice from your heat pump, as it could damage the unit. The best way to remove an accumulation of ice from a dripping rain gutter, freezing rain or an ice storm is with water from your garden hose.
- Make sure the unit is level. Condensers that have settled into the ground can sit unevenly, allowing water to collect underneath. If the weather turns cold enough, this could freeze and block adequate air flow.
Repeated freeze-ups can suggest an issue that needs professional attention. There may be a problem with the defrost relay, fan motor, sensor or thermostat. Other reasons for the freeze-up of your heat pump could be a sticking reversing valve or its solenoid coil.
Is the heat pump freezing up in your Savannah area home? >Contact us today at Byrd Heating and Air Conditioning.
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