What to do if your heat pump freezes or ices over during the winter
Your heat pump is an essential source of heat that ensures optimal comfort in your home during the winter. Although it’s economical and ecological, it isn’t immune from breaking down or from the whims of Mother Nature. Whether your heat pump is covered in frost or ice or just doesn’t seem to be working correctly, you should address the problem as soon as possible so you can enjoy a warm home this winter. GestionAir has a few tips for you to ensure that you get the most out of your heat pump all winter long.
Ice and frost on your heat pump
Regardless of whether your heat pump is a wall-mounted unit or a central unit, it consists of two parts: one visible on the inside of the home and another on the outside. Since the exterior part isn’t sheltered from bad weather, the harsh Quebec climate often puts it to the test. In fact, after an ice storm or a combination of weather conditions including a thaw, the outdoor component of your heat pump can remain buried under a layer of ice, or frost can accumulate on the inside, affecting the way the equipment works. To fix the problem, all you have to do is temporarily cut off the power supply and gently pour hot water into the unit to melt the accumulated ice. If you aren’t comfortable defrosting your heat pump yourself, don’t hesitate to call on the services of a heating and air conditioning expert, who can help you resolve the problem.
Heat pump defects and breakdowns
No electric appliance is immune to defects. If your heat pump has frost on it or doesn’t seem to be heating your home properly this winter, it may be broken or suffering from some defect, for example, poorly functioning reversing valves, a defective freeze sensor, a damaged defrost control board, an obstructed coil or a clogged filter. If your heat pump breaks down and stops working, ice can accumulate on the inside, which isn’t at all desirable.
Your equipment will usually go through a defrost cycle. During this time, the fan in the outside unit shuts off and the heat pump functions in air conditioning mode for a few minutes. This allows it to circulate warm gas through the coil, thus melting any ice that may have accumulated. Once defrosted, your heat pump will quickly resume its normal operation. This will prevent any further accumulation of ice and ensure that your heat pump works correctly at all times.
If you notice that one of the components is broken, this could influence the defrost cycle. In this case, you should immediately call an expert to fix the problem. Don’t try to repair your heat pump yourself: only a certified professional is qualified to work with the Freon gas contained inside.
Maintaining your heat pump during the winter
It’s important to ensure proper maintenance of your heat pump to prevent any breakdown resulting from negligence. Each year before the beginning of winter, check your heat pump’s filters, located in the indoor part of the unit. Regardless of whether they’re washable or disposable, make sure that an excessive accumulation of dust isn’t obstructing them. You should also turn off your heat pump if the outdoor temperature is −15° C or lower for a prolonged period. The equipment isn’t designed to provide efficient heating at such low temperatures. If necessary, call the experts at GestionAir. It would be their pleasure to answer all your questions.
