Why Ice Forms on Your Heat Pump

Monday, May 9th, 2016 at 11:00 am

As you start to use your heat pump to keep cool this summer, you may notice ice starting to form on the inside coil of the unit. This may seem like a good thing, considering that the heat pump should be cooling the home. However, this is actually a sign that there is a serious problem with the system. Let's take a look at whys this happens, and why you need to call for repairs as soon as you notice this issue.

Why it Happens

Heat pumps transfer heat between your home and the outside air by evaporating refrigerant in a coil, which is housed inside the indoor unit. The temperature of the air around the coil is constantly dropping, as heat is siphoned from it. Condensation also forms on the coil, and is drained out of the system via a condensate pipe. If the flow of warm air from the ducts is interrupted, the temperature of the air around the coil will eventually drop below freezing. When that happens, the condensate will freeze and the coil will ice over.

Problems Caused by Ice

While the coil is frozen over, it will be unable to siphon heat from the air in your home. The heat pump's output will drop significantly as a result. If the ice is allowed to build up enough, the weight of it will warp the coil and require that it be replaced. The ice can also spread down the refrigerant line to other parts of the system, causing them to malfunction and break down. This is why ice is such a massive threat to the health of your heat pump. You should call for repairs immediately if you notice it.

American Heating & Cooling offers heat pump repair services throughout South Williamson, KY. Call today to schedule an appointment with one of our heat pump experts.