Heat Pump Freezing Up? Preventing Winter Heat Pump Issues in NoVA

12/24/24

Your heat pump works throughout the year to heat or cool your home. This valuable dual system is a modern invention that is a wonderful addition to your home and helps to increase your property’s value. But what do you do when it begins freezing up in the wintertime? In this blog post, Caffi Services aims to not only explain what’s happening but help you prevent it.

What Happens When Your Heat Pump Freezes?

Frost on the external portion of your heat pump is normal. This portion is exposed to the elements, and as with everything else outdoors, some frost is to be expected. When your heat pump completely freezes, however, this becomes an issue as it no longer has the capacity to absorb heat from the environment and bring it into your home.

Common Causes of Heat Pump Freezing in the Winter

While a freezing heat pump may seem self-explanatory, there can be several causes. Some of the most common issues your heat pump may experience, which can cause it to freeze, include:

• Dirty air filter: When your heat pump’s air filter becomes clogged, it restricts the amount of air flowing over the evaporator coil, causing it to get too cold, leading to the formation of ice.
• Extreme outdoor temperatures: When outdoor temperatures drop dramatically over a short period of time, this can cause the refrigerant in the outdoor coil to become too cold, allowing ice to form.
• Low refrigerant: If your heat pump has low refrigeration, it will struggle to absorb and release heat efficiently, which can cause it to freeze completely.
• Faulty defrost cycle: Your heat pump’s defrost cycle is designed to prevent ice buildup. If it’s working improperly, the heat pump may freeze due to a malfunctioning control board, sensor, or timer.
• Poor insulation: If your home is not properly insulated, this can cause the heat pump to work harder, which increases the chance of freezing due to increased load on the system.

What To Do if Your Heat Pump Freezes

What you will need to do to defrost your heat pump depends on the level to which it’s frozen. Your heat pump’s built-in defrost mode can resolve mild freezing, but if it persists, you may need to check the air filter and hose and clear any objects blocking the indoor vents or outdoor unit.

When To Call Caffi Services for a Freezing Heat Pump

If you’ve worked through what solutions you can, such as using your heat pump’s defrost mode, checking your heat pump’s air filter and hose, and clearing away any debris, it’s time to call in a professional.

Caffi Services is proud to offer 24/7 emergency service. We have over 50 years in business, which means we understand NoVa winters. We have a vast knowledge base and will work with any make or model of HVAC system. We prioritize environmentally friendly solutions to help your home stay as green as possible.

If you find your heat pump freezing up and are unable to remedy the problem, contact Caffi Services today.