Why is my Heat Pump Freezing up in Summer?

The hottest day in summer isn't when your heat pump stops working. If you find that it's just as muggy inside as it is outside, chances are your heat pump isn't working properly, or not at all.

If you check your heat pump and find ice in or around it, then you have a refrigerated heat pump. But why does your heat pump freeze in the summer? Because it's so hot outside, you'd think nothing would freeze outside. There are a few things you can try to get your heat pump working again, but in some cases you may need to call for repairs.

To prevent your heat pump or air conditioning unit from freezing, be sure to have it checked and cleaned regularly by a professional heating and cooling technician. Annual heat pump tuning can save you a lot of money on repairs.

What if your heat pump doesn't work?

If you think your heat pump system isn't working, the first thing you should do is check your thermostat. It may sound silly, but many people accidentally turn on only the fan and not the cold air, or their thermostat battery dies.

If you confirm this is not the case, go outside and check the heat pump. If you find a chunk of ice in or around the unit, you have a refrigerated heat pump. Try running a defrost cycle to melt the ice. Heat pumps have a defrost cycle to keep them from freezing in winter, but sometimes this cycle is helpful in this situation.

Once the ice melts, try running it again and go back inside to see if you feel cold air coming out of the vents. If things seem to be getting better, keep an eye on your heat pump to make sure it doesn't start freezing again. If you've melted the ice and your heat pump is still not working, there are a few other things you can try, but you should be prepared to call a professional for heat pump repair.

Why does your heat pump freeze in the summer?

As you wait for the HVAC technician to arrive, you may be wondering, "Why is my heat pump freezing in the summer? It should be hot, not cold!" Cold refrigerant absorbs heat to cool your home. When warm air hits the coil, condensation forms. If the coil is too cold, the condensate can freeze, causing your heat pump to "freeze" in the summer.

How did my heat pump coil get too cold?

1. The coil is too dirty

The more dirt builds up on the coil, the more it insulates it from the warm air blowing over it. A nice layer of dirt will help make your coils cool. Avoid this problem by regularly changing the air filter and professionally cleaning the coil from time to time.

2. Your system has poor airflow

A dirty air filter, a clogged return vent, or a malfunctioning blower can all be the cause of insufficient airflow. And, again, the lack of warm air blowing over the coil can cause it to freeze.

3. Insufficient heat pump refrigerant

When there is insufficient refrigerant, the system pressure drops, which can cause the coils to become colder than usual. This is the most common source of cryo coils.

Contact us if your heat pump freezes in summer. Our licensed HVAC technicians will help you diagnose problems with your heat pump. We want to get your home back to a cool, comfortable temperature as quickly as possible.