What Would Make a Heat pump Freeze up?

In winter, cold water, insufficient airflow, stuck diverter valves, and defrost mode failures can all cause the heat pump to freeze. In the summer, you can see ice build up on the evaporator coils to prevent low system refrigerant, dirty coils, and poor airflow.

What causes heat pumps to freeze in winter?

1. Dripping

Rain, snow or water vapor can fall on the device and create an ice layer on top of the heat pump.

This is absolutely normal, these heating units are designed to withstand freezing temperatures.

Tip: Drips from gutters can also be a problem. So if there is a leak, be sure to pay attention to the leak.

The defrost mode of the heat pump should solve this problem. If you want to "help" the unit manually, don't use anything sharp to remove ice from the heat pump - these can easily damage the coils and fins.

You can try removing ice cubes with a garden hose. Also, keep leaves and snow away from equipment (including under heat pumps).

2. Insufficient airflow

Airflow allows the device to capture heat from the outside air and transfer it into the house. But without enough air going through the coils, the evaporator coils will cool to very low temperatures, causing the heat pump to freeze.

There are many things that can restrict airflow in your device:

(1) Twigs, leaves, snow and debris can build up around the heat pump. You must make sure that not only the actual (2) unit, but that the area around the heat pump is free of any objects.

(3) A clogged air filter may be the culprit.

For example, supply and return pipes may be blocked by furniture.

(4) There may also be obstructions in the piping system.

3. Slab settlement

Many heat pumps are placed on concrete slabs.

You should not place the device directly on the ground as insects can easily enter the device. Plus, a tablet like this will just make your backyard (or wherever else you decide to put your device) look neater.

The problem with slabs is that over time it sinks into the ground and even tip over. This restricts airflow and blocks drainage paths.

In this case, you must level the sinker.

4. Compressor problems

The compressor is basically the heart of the heat pump as it moves the refrigerant through the system by changing the pressure.

Of course, if the device can't extract the heat, then it freezes over in the winter and doesn't work properly.

These things can cause the compressor to go bad:

(1) Motor failure

The motor is what keeps the compressor running. If you can't hear the compressor every time you turn on the unit, there's a high chance that the motor is failing.

(2) The compressor will wear out

This is usually due to poor maintenance or dirt. This will cause the outdoor fan to start but everything else will not work.

Compressor bearings and contacts can also go bad. In this case, the heat pump won't start at all.

5. Stuck diverter valve

The diverter valve is one of the elements in the system that switches the unit from cooling to heating and back again.

If the valve is stuck, your heat pump will not be able to switch to heating mode (or cool down during defrost mode).

If the diverter valve is physically stuck, you can try tapping something on either side of the valve.

The diverter valve may not be energized or leaking water, but it's best to have these things checked by a professional.

6. Defrost mode failure

Your heat pump will go into defrost mode once the temperature of the outdoor coil gets too cold compared to the outside temperature (this can happen at 30 F or even 60 F).

This mode can also be activated by high pressure - when there is ice on the coil, the space between the elements becomes tight, which will result in higher pressure.

When this happens, the heat pump quickly switches to cooling mode in order to deliver hot refrigerant to the outdoor unit and melt the ice.

Unfortunately, defrost mode doesn't always work. Here are some things that can go wrong:

(1) Water drops on the device

- In this case, the icing will accelerate.

(2) Lack of drainage

- If the heat pump cannot remove the melted ice, the water will be stored inside the unit and freeze.

(3) Installation error

- The defrost mode may not work properly if the unit is positioned too low on the ground or tilted.

All of the above reasons, such as a stuck diverter valve, insufficient airflow, etc., can be the root cause of defrost mode failures.

What causes heat pumps to freeze in summer?

Did you know that your heat pump freezes in summer not only in winter? Even on the hottest days, you may find ice on the evaporator coil or refrigerant lines.

What is the reason?

1. Dirty Coils

The more dust and debris builds up on the coil, the better it is insulated from the hot air passing through the system. Basically, a layer of dirt will keep the coil cool and may even cause it to freeze.

2. Poor airflow

We already know that insufficient airflow can do a lot of damage to a heat pump. If there isn't enough hot air going through the coil, the elements can easily freeze even when it's hot outside.

3. Low refrigerant levels

The lower the refrigerant level, the lower the pressure in the system. Also, the remaining refrigerant will not be able to absorb heat efficiently.

All of this can cause the evaporator coil to freeze.

Fact: The most commonly used refrigerants boil between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

What do you do when your heat pump freezes?

You should not try to remove the ice cubes manually, as the problem is most likely not the ice cubes themselves, but a malfunction of the system.

If the refrigerant level of the unit is low, the coil is dirty, or the diverter valve is broken, then you should definitely call a professional to fix the problem.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent this from happening in the first place.

1. Replace the air filter

Set a reminder on your phone to tell you to change your air filter.

The frequency depends on the type of filter, how often you use the heat pump, and a few other factors, but in general, experts recommend replacing the air filter with a new one every 1-3 months.

2. Make sure the vents are not blocked

If you have a ducted heat pump system, you must ensure there is at least 10 inches between the vents and the furniture.

Blocking a few vents on purpose also may not be the best decision, as it can increase the pressure inside the system and potentially lead to malfunction.

3. Re-level the heat pump plate

Just work a long board under one end of the board, lift it up, and load enough sand under it. You have to do the same thing on the other end.

TIP: Raise the slab as slowly as possible to avoid cracking of the concrete pad.

You might also consider replacing the flatbed with a plastic pad.

4. Don't forget to make sure the device is level.

When the unit is placed on a flat surface, the refrigerant can flow smoothly. But if the heat pump is tilted, material can get trapped in the pipes.

5. Keep clutter away from the heat pump

Regularly weed or mow the area around the heat pump, remove snow from around the unit, and use a garden hose to clean any dirt if needed.