How To Deal With a Frozen Heat Pump

A frozen heat pump is a nerve-wracking sight, even in mild climates. No property owner wants to happen upon an ice-encased unit. 

If you’re local, you can always call Apollo Air Heating & Cooling for heat pump repairs. Below, as a trusted provider of superior heating services in Selma, TX, we outline why your heat pump might freeze and what to do.

How Does the Average Heat Pump Operate?

Unlike furnaces and boilers, heat pumps don’t generate their own heat. Instead, they draw it from other sources – like the ground, subterranean water bodies, or outdoor air. 

During warm weather, the pumps remove heat from their respective buildings to cool these spaces down. In winter, you change your heat pump to a cooling setting by initiating its reversing valve, which controls where refrigerant flows. If you’re seeing a frozen heat pump in Selma, Texas, you’ll start by asking questions about the refrigerant and reversal process.

What Causes a Frozen Heat Pump?

Typically, low refrigerant levels are at the center of a frozen heat pump debacle. 

Inadequate refrigerant forces the heat pump to reach a low temperature, regardless of the setting. As the pump cools, there’s condensation. Eventually, the liquid freezes, forming a frost prison for your heat pump’s components. 

What causes low refrigerant levels in a heat pump? Usually, it’s airflow restriction overstressing the system. This happens with:

• Blower motor problems 
• Dirty air filters
• Vent blockages
• Filthy coils
• Broken reversing valve
• Defrost cycle malfunctions

Every Selma property owner should know what to do with an ice-encrusted heat pump, so let’s take a look.

What Can Property Owners Do When Heat Pumps Freeze?

You’ll find a series of steps outlined below to help you troubleshoot the frozen heat pump with care. This is what to expect from our technician, who knows just how to deal with a frozen heat pump and restore its normal function. 

Shut Down Your Heating System 

Head to your circuit breaker and find the switch that controls the power supply for your heat pump. Flip the switch to the “Off” position to prevent any further system damage. 

Note Where the Ice Develops

Where there’s ice, there might be a malfunctioning component hidden beneath. Use the camera on your mobile device to photograph the ice formation. Photos can help your technician determine whether an outdoor fan malfunction or dirty coil caused the freeze. 

Remove Any Debris From the Heat Pump

Leaves, branches, and outdoor equipment restrict airflow around the frozen heat pump. If you discover any belongings or detritus near the equipment, carefully brush it away and place it somewhere else. HVAC equipment needs at least two feet of clearance to freely intake and output air. 

Check the Filter

Now, head inside to check the air filter. Discolored or dusty filters lead to blocked airflow. Most households should replace these filters every one to three months. If you generally stay on top of your unit’s filter changes, the problem comes from something else. 

Start the Defrost Cycle

It’s time to get the frost off your heat pump, especially if it hasn’t melted after an automatic defrost cycle that enables it to melt frozen condensation from its interior and exterior components. 

If you’ve already powered down the pump, maybe you’re facing a faulty defrost control board and must remove the ice manually. For example,  technicians may recommend carefully pouring warm water across the frozen area to melt off the excess ice. 

Check Vents for Blockages

Another source of airflow restriction is the vent openings throughout your home. If a large object blocks the grates, then the warm air can’t flow through them. If so, your heat pump works harder and harder to warm your home with no luck if the heated air can’t enter each room.

Most homes have one vent in each room. Larger spaces might have two or three. Look for furniture, laundry piles, and other items that might prevent the heat from reaching each area. 

Contact a Technician in Selma, Texas

Always call our HVAC technician as soon as you notice a heat pump problem. The mild weather means many property owners choose heat pumps for temperature regulation. A team like Apollo Air Heating & Cooling can examine the pump and ice to figure out the cause and fix it.