09/08/2024
A common question from customers during winter is: what is the defrost cycle, and why does it occur as part of the normal heating operation of air conditioning?
DEFROST CYCLE FAQS
Why does my unit have to do a defrost cycle?
Any ice building up on the outside heat exchanger will reduce the airflow across the heat exchanger, this reduces the efficiency, the more ice build-up the more it is reduced.
How do I tell if my unit is in a defrost cycle?
Inside you will notice the unit will stop heating, the indoor fan will stop and depending on the model there will be some form of visual indication such as a message on your wall control indicating heat standby or defrost. Outside, the outdoor fan will also have stopped but the compressor will be running.
How often will my unit go into defrost mode?
There are several factors that influence how often a unit will go into defrost mode. Some of these include, but aren’t limited to:
The outdoor temperature and humidity
The amount of heating required
The condition and cleanliness of the system.
Is there any way I can help to reduce defrosting?
Yes, there is.
Keep your unit well maintained and ensure you are operating it correctly.
Don’t have the thermostat set too high. The less load you place on the unit the less frequently it will need to defrost in cold conditions.
Ultimately, permanent fixes such as installing insulation in ceilings, walls and under floors will help reduce your heating requirement (and save you money). More immediately, keeping doors closed and curtains drawn will also help to reduce your heating requirements.
Make sure there are no barriers erected around the outdoor unit.
Raise the outdoor unit off the ground by at least 100mm, by doing this the outdoor unit isn’t sitting in a pool of cold moist air.
