Heat pumps are one of the most essential household appliances. These machines are meant to keep your house warm and cozy when the outdoor temperatures hit below freezing. Modern heat pumps are not only efficient but effective as well. But, sometimes, heat pumps experience complications like other household electronic appliances. During the winter season, heat pumps can freeze and sustain damage if their defrost cycle doesn’t work effectively. This is why you need to know how to defrost the heat pump if it stops doing it itself. In case the issue doesn’t get resolved, consult heat pump repair technician. Let’s begin!
How Does The Defrost Cycle In Heat Pumps Work?
Before we get into discussing tips to defrost your heat pump, we must understand the defrost cycle first. Modern heat pumps are equipped with automatic defrost functions. This means that if the unit detects it is iced up, it will automatically turn on the defrost function.
When the defrost function is turned on, the reversing valve switches the unit into air conditioning mode. Plus, the fan also shuts off as the evaporator coil acts as the condenser. This process allows the high-pressure refrigerant to move through the outdoor coil and melt the ice.
As the heat pump runs for a while and reaches the desired temperature, it automatically shifts to normal heating mode. The entire process can last somewhere between 5-10 minutes or more depending on the heat pump.
Although different heat pumps vary when it comes to sensing when the unit has iced up and is going into defrost mode, most of them feature temperature sensors to keep track of the temperature. If your heat pump is icing up in the winter, it means the problem may not just be the defrosting function.
It could also be that the refrigerant level is low. Since it can be a bit tricky to diagnose the issue, you will need to consult an expert.
Understand The Problem
Now that we have discussed the concept around the defrost cycle, it is time to focus on how to defrost the heat pump.
For that, you will need to understand the problem first. Sometimes, it is possible that the defrost function does not turn on or the temperature is so extreme that it is not able to make any difference. In such a case, the problem does not lie with the defrost function itself.
You will need to put in some manual labor to remove the ice buildup. If the unit turns on the defrost cycle, you should be assured that the heat pump is working normally. But, if the temperature increases and the unit still ices up, it means something else is the problem.
In such a case, you will need to look for signs of leakages. If there are none, you will need to consult an expert.
Run The Fan
Running the fan tends to be the most effective solution if the unit has iced up. In most cases, it can take around 60 minutes. If the outdoor temperature happens to be too low, you can try setting the fan to exhaust mode. Keep in mind that constant running of the fan is not a permanent solution.
However, it is a good start to keep your heat pump running. You should also know that running the fan for extended periods of time can also take a toll on its health. So, if you notice that running the fan is not solving the problem, you should shut it down and run it after allowing it to cool down a bit.
Move The Sensor
When your heat pump experiences frost or frosting, it takes longer for the heat pump to eliminate ice as it runs for a relatively longer period. You can try moving the sensor to the outside portion of the unit to help solve the issue. If you are going for this option, make sure to mark the original position of the sensor so that you know where to exactly place it.
However, know that moving the sensor can also have the opposite effect. For instance, the new location may cause the defrost function not to engage at all. You can spend hours finding a favorable location but if nothing comes out, it means you will have to try the manual method.
Manual Defrost
The manual defrost option is the last resort if nothing else works out. Manual defrosting means that you will need to shut down the unit and pick a tool to remove the ice. Make sure not to use a sharp object as it can damage the unit. If possible, you should grab an agent that helps melt the ice.
You can also run tap water to increase the temperature and melt the ice. This process can take time and a lot of effort. You might have come across people using a shovel to remove the ice. That is a good option for the upper layer but not for frozen ones.
If you have some other heating source, such as a hair dryer, you can use that too. And, if things seem too complicated or hard, you should hire an expert. They possess all the skills and tools to get rid of the ice in a few minutes and get your unit running back to normal.
Schedule Professional Maintenance
You might think that running the defrost cycle and removing the ice is doing a favor to the unit. It might be true when it comes to ensuring the everyday smooth running of the unit but not when it comes to maintenance.
The best way to ensure your heat pump never runs into problems is by scheduling professional maintenance. Professional maintenance goes deep inside the unit and ensures everything is working perfectly. Plus, if the unit has frozen up, they will also remove the ice.
Most people believe that professional maintenance is simply an expense as they can maintain the unit on their own. But the difference is that homeowners don’t have access to the unit and are not able to identify leakages or damages deep inside the unit.
Professional maintenance is all about that and prevents complications from popping up just when you need the heat pump the most in the future. Units that are maintained by professionals work much better and last longer than the ones that are not maintained.
This goes to show that professional maintenance is indeed an investment to keep your worries at bay.
Conclusion
Always make sure the defrost cycle is turned on before trying the manual method. If nothing else works, call heat pump repair services McLean. At the same time, make sure the unit receives regular professional care. This will extend the lifespan of your heat pump and reduce the frequency of break downs.
