01/23/2025
We have been getting a lot of calls over the past couple days from concerned owners of heat pump systems. We wanted to give you some pointers to alleviate some concerns and save you the cost of a service call...
When operating properly, Heat pumps WILL grow a layer of ice on the outside unit. (Especially in these low temperatures) If your system is working properly, it will then go into a defrost cycle which will remove (most) of that ice.
When your heat pump goes into defrost, it will make a loud "whooshing" sound and will most likely begin to steam. The outdoor fan motor should stop turning while in defrost mode. It may sound like the unit is laboring . This is all normal. After several minutes of being in defrost, the ice should thaw out. When it is this cold (below 32 degrees) some of the ice may remain even after the defrost cycle. The main thing to worry about is if your home is staying warm. If it is, then your system is working properly. Even if it does look like an igloo.
If your heat pump is not keeping your home warm, there is a back up feature that you can use. It is called "emergency heat"
If you look on your thermostat settings, where you change it from heat to cool, you will find an emergency heat setting. By choosing this option, it will turn off your outside unit and use the electric heat strips that are installed in your air handler. As long as the proper size heat strips were installed when your system was put in, emergency heat will keep you warm.
I hope this helps.
As always, if you do need us, we will gladly come out.
-Nate Beck with Breeze Shooters Heating and AC
803-271-9598
