Pool Heat Pump Iced up

It's normal for coils to freeze in the winter, but it's not normal for the same thing to happen in the summer. Ice or frost on the coil is a "Catch-22" situation, as anything that restricts airflow through the internal unit can cause frost. As frost forms, airflow becomes increasingly restricted, making the situation worse, and when frost forms on the exterior piping, it can damage the compressor.

The heat pump will naturally freeze in the winter, but will periodically enter a defrost cycle, which can keep the unit running efficiently. In the winter, it is normal for the entire coil to be covered with frost, even thin ice. However, it is not normal for the entire device to be frozen in ice for an extended period of time.

There are a number of factors that can cause coil frost and/or reduced airflow:

1. The air filter is very dirty and restricts airflow

2. The cooling system is very dirty or clogged, restricting airflow

3. The grill is covered

4. The motor is overheated and the safety switch is short-circuited.

If it's severely frozen, defrosting may not be possible, but there are other possible causes:

1. Defrost function failure: controller, relay, thermostat or sensor

2. The reversing valve is stuck

3. The solenoid coil of the reversing valve is faulty.

4. Outdoor fan motor failure

5. Low refrigerant

6. Cover the grill

7. Outdoor coil clogged – possibly clogged by leaves or snowdrifts

8. The device sinks into the ground - there is nowhere for the ice to melt and drain away

9. Leaking gutters and water dripping onto the top of the unit Freezing rain - causing the top of the unit to freeze - once this happens the rest of the unit will also freeze

10. Homeowners can address four possible causes below, but always remember to never use sharp objects to pick up or scrape away ice; refrigerant coils are very fragile and can be damaged easily.

Freezing can be caused by a chronic leak that causes low refrigerant in the system. If the system is undercharged with refrigerant, part of the coil will run very cold and will begin to freeze. Our solution is to have the coils cleaned or replaced by a registered technician.

It is not normal to see ice forming anywhere inside or outside your heat pump during the summer. For example, if the air conditioning function is running in very cold weather or the thermostat is set too low, the indoor coil may freeze.

Leomon is a professional swimming pool heat pump manufacturer. Follow us for more tips on using your pool heat pump.