Pouring Hot Water on Frozen Heat Pump: Should You Do It?
A frozen heat pump can mean the difference between a comfortable home and a chilly interior. Don’t let a frozen heat pump keep you cold. A little hot water is all it takes to bring back the heat indoors!
Pouring hot water on a frozen heat pump is a handy, efficient trick you should always keep in your back pocket. Trying to physically remove or break the ice can cause further damage, but hot water cuts through the ice.
Hickory Heating & Cooling can help with all of your heating needs, including heat pump repair in Hickory, NC. Keep reading to learn how to troubleshoot a frozen heat pump with hot water, and call our team at (828) 618-4887 for service when you need professional help.
Should You Try Pouring Hot Water on a Frozen Heat Pump?
Yes. If you need to remove ice from your heat pump, hot water is a simple, easy solution. To remove ice, switch the unit off and pour hot or warm water on the frozen heat pump.
What Causes a Frozen Heat Pump?
The most common cause of a frozen heat pump is cold weather, such as a winter ice storm. When temperatures are near freezing, ice may form on the coils or refrigerant lines of your air conditioner’s heat pump. Some heat pump models may have a defrost cycle, which helps thaw frozen heat pumps during short cold spells.
Incorrect positioning during installation can also lead to a frozen heat pump when restricted airflow causes ice to build up on the coils.
Heat pumps are more likely to freeze when the refrigerant is low. Scheduling routine heat pump maintenance before the winter season with an HVAC specialist can ensure refrigerant levels are adequate.
How to Prevent Your Heat Pump from Freezing During Summer
In the summertime, heat pumps typically form ice; hence why a defrost cycle is a common feature. If your heat pump doesn’t have a defrost cycle, spray it down with water and let it thaw to remove the ice.
If water pours onto the unit from the roof, or if the heat pump has settled into the ground, you can reroute the flow of water or elevate the heat pump off the ground to prevent freezing.
HVAC experts can assess your frozen heat pump and determine a solution to ensure that your home stays comfortable all year long.
Running the Defrost Cycle
Most heat pumps feature a built-in defrost cycle since these machines are prone to ice buildup. You can turn on the defrost cycle by switching the unit to air conditioning mode, which will switch the evaporator on the outdoor unit to condensation and turn off the outdoor fan.
The defrost process warms the refrigerant, which melts the ice as it moves through the frozen coil.
If your heat pump is an older unit and is not functioning properly in its defrost cycle, consider a replacement.
Keep Up with Annual Heat Pump Maintenance
While these solutions may help with your frozen heat pump, there are other ways to improve its performance. Don’t neglect routine cleaning, like clearing any built-up debris and leaves from the outdoor coil.
Regular HVAC maintenance and servicing before the winter season is the best way to avoid these problems. Catching issues in the fall is better for planning ahead than finding out in the middle of winter when you need well-working heat the most.
If, for any reason, you can’t determine what’s wrong with your heat pump, an HVAC specialist can help figure it out. Numerous issues may result in a frozen heat pump, such as an inadequate defrost control or timer, a faulty fan motor, or a stuck reversing valve.
Call Hickory Heating & Cooling for Heat Pump Repair
Unlike separate air conditioners and heaters, heat pumps work double-time to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It’s important to examine your heat pump to ensure it’s ready to run all winter long.
While pouring hot water on a frozen heat pump is a viable solution in many cases, it’s not guaranteed to solve all issues related to your heat pump. If you need an HVAC technician to assess your heat pump, we’re here for all your HVAC service needs.
Our team is always available, and we can help ensure your heat pump is running at an optimal level. For heat pump repair in Hickory, NC, contact Hickory Heating & Cooling today at (828) 618-4887.
