Have a Frozen Heat Pump? Don’t worry, it’s Normal during winter! Many homeowners with newly installed heat pumps might be alarmed when they notice on a cold day that the outdoor part of their heating system appears to have frozen over. Don’t panic, because this is actually completely normal! However, there are some instances in which a frozen heat pump could indicate a problem with your unit. So let’s take a look at why your heat pump freezes over and what you can do to prevent it from happening when it shouldn’t. Why does a heat pump freeze up during winter? If you read our blog about how a heat pump works, you’ll know that heat pumps use refrigerant to absorb heat from the air outside – even when it’s cold out. As heat from the air outside is transferred to that refrigerant, some excess moisture from the air builds up on your unit’s coils. On cold days, that moisture can freeze into layers on your heat pump, making it difficult for your unit to perform properly.

How does a heat pump protect itself from freezing? Luckily, your heat pump is designed to handle the buildup of ice that we described above. You see, your heat pump has a defrost cycle that kicks on when it detects excessive ice buildup. While in the defrost mode, your heat pump essentially operates in the cooling mode and allows heat from the refrigerant to melt the ice away. As this is happening, a backup heating cycle keeps your home warm until the ice has melted away and the heat pump is ready to operate as normal again. how much are compressors for ac unitsIt should be noted that if your heat pump is still frozen after 30 minutes in the defrost cycle, you should contact Jerry Kelly.air handling units design How can you help protect your heat pump from freezing?ac units in a tent

One of the primary reasons why your heat pump might freeze over when it normally shouldn’t is a lack of proper airflow. In order to prevent this from happening, you can: Check, clean or change your filter every month Remove any ice that has built up on the top of your outdoor unit (use a garden hose to melt ice away instead of jabbing it with a sharp object, which might bend the fins underneath) Clear away any excess snow or debris that has built up around your outdoor unit If you have any questions about a heat pump freezing during winter, or if you’d like an HVAC system serviced or installed in your home, contact Jerry Kelly heating and air conditioning. We service the St. Louis area and surrounding towns like Manchester, St. Paul and Clayton, MO.You just got home from work on a summer day, and when you pull into the driveway you see a layer of ice on your air conditioning unit. But how can there be ice when it’s so hot outside? There are several reasons why ice can accumulate on your AC in the summer.

Here’s what to do if you notice ice building on your AC. When ice forms on the air conditioning unit, the first thing you’ll want to do is go to your thermostat and turn the AC off. Let all of the ice thaw completely, because the longer you leave ice to build up on your unit, the more likely it is for there to be additional damage to your HVAC system. It can even lead to permanent damage! Once the thermostat is set to off, you may want to check air flow and change your filter. In some cases, fixing the air flow can solve the problem. But unfortunately, sometimes there can be a bigger problem causing your unit to ice over. How can an AC unit in the hot sun get ice buildup? One problem that can cause this is when your HVAC system doesn’t have proper air flow. Restricted air flow can cause the system’s evaporator coil to drop in temperature to below freezing. Combine that with humidity in the air, and you get ice. As ice builds up on the coil, your AC’s cooling ability will become worse and worse.

If you suspect a lack of air flow to be the problem, try checking and changing your air filter if it’s dirty; make sure there are no objects or dirt obstructing the airflow, and check the coil to make sure it’s not dirty. If that doesn’t fix the problem, you may need to watch the weather and turn off the AC when the temperature drops too low. Some air conditioners won’t function well when the outside temperature drops below about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Another common reason for ice buildup can be issues with your system like a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant level is too low, this can cause the pressure to drop in the evaporator coil, which can lead to a moisture freezing on the coil. In some cases, you may need to fix or replace a weak blower motor, which can also cause freezing. No matter what the reason is for your AC freezing, taking action is key to minimizing the risk of permanent damage to your HVAC system. Turning off your system to let it begin thawing is the most important step.

Next you should try to prevent it from happening again. Contacting an HVAC company is a great way to diagnose any problem with your AC and find a solution. A professional can help find any obstructions, repair refrigerant leaks, and fix or replace faulty blower motors.Success is built on relationships.  By serving our friends and neighbors in Columbus and across Columbus, GA, Auburn, AL, Opelika & Phenix City, AL with the highest level of professionalism, Energy Savers continues to expand our list of valued customers.  Through a consistent demonstration of exemplary performance on independent customer satisfaction surveys, and by meeting rigorous standards in business practices, technical expertise, and industry dedication, Energy Savers is recognized as a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer.  This recognition is earned rather than given, and less than 5% of heating and cooling providers in the country receive this distinction. Through continued factory training in all areas of service and techniques, we are experts on the systems we install, maintain, and repair, assuring rewarding results.

Letter grades represent the Better Business Bureau’s rating of businesses based on customer service, time in business, required licenses, business practices, and number of complaints filed, with A+ being the highest.  Energy Savers is extremely proud of our complaint-free, A+ rating, as it evidences our unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction.  We are active members of the Columbus, Phenix City, Opelika and Auburn Chambers of Commerce as well as the Kiwanis Clubs in Columbus and Opelika. Energy Savers is BPI certified.  The Building Performance Institute (BPI) is the nation’s leading standards development and credentialing organization for residential energy auditing and upgrade work.  BPI certified technicians have passed exacting written and in-field practical tests that demonstrate their knowledge and skills in building science solutions.  BPI professionals utilize innovative and effective strategies to improve energy efficiency, while providing vital safety services, such as mold prevention, CO testing, and combustion appliance checks.