During winter, it is common for the heat pump to freeze up after excessive use. However, frequent freezing might be a sign that there is something seriously wrong with your heating system. Neglecting the issue and overuse of the system might damage your unit severely. If you want to know why your heating system is freezing up or ways you can find the best solution, this article can help you in many ways.

Many people are unaware of the right ways to treat the frozen heat pump and end up damaging the unit further. It is extremely important to understand the actual source of problems before taking matters into your own hands. Even a slight mistake while treating the heating pump might cause damage to the entire unit. Some damages can be beyond repair, and you might be forced to purchase a new unit.

In this article, we will walk through everything you need to know about frozen heat pumps. So, continue reading till the end to explore incredible tips to add more life to your heating units and ways to get the most out of your heat pump services in Richmond.

Reasons why your heat pump gets frozen

Let us look at the reasons why your heat pump gets frozen quickly.

1. Excessive moisture

Water build-up and extra moisture can easily get your heat pump frozen up quickly. Accumulated moisture and build-up can get trapped in your heat pump and block the system from extracting and releasing airflow. Broken gutter, uncleaned units, and more are some of the main reasons why there is excessive moisture in your heating units.

2. Internal malfunction  

Over time, most HVAC units lose their efficiency due to continuous wear and tear, which can result in internal malfunction. Timely maintenance checks can help you overcome internal and external malfunctioning problems and add more life to your units. In the case of internal malfunction, it can be quite challenging to determine the actual cause of the problem, especially if you don’t have experience dealing with heating units. Hire services from a good and reliable HVAC company to solve internal malfunction problems.

3. Insufficient airflow

To produce warm air at the desired temperature, heating units rely heavily on their airflow system. Insufficient airflow ( in and out) can further damage the fan motor and result in frozen heat pumps. Regularly clean your coils to avoid dirt, debris, and other dust particles accumulation. Timely cleaning of the system prevents freezing. 

4. Dirty fan blades 

Similar to the cooling system, heating units also have fan blades. Fan blades are responsible for throwing air in and out of the unit to produce warm air at the desired temperature. Dirty fan blades can generate moisture and turn the trapped moisture into ice. You can clean your fan blades with a brush or cleaning tools specified by the manufacturer.

5. Filthy evaporator coil

The evaporator coil plays a vital role in absorbing the moisture from the air inside your home to produce hot/warm air. A filthy or faulty evaporator coil can disrupt the entire system and result in frozen heap pumps. Along with that, faulty evaporator coils can cause severe problems in your entire unit when left unattended.

Tips to deal with frozen heat pump

1. Run maintenance check

As mentioned above, regular maintenance checks can help add more life to your units. Maintenance checks involve inspection of the entire system and treating potential problems as and when discovered. Additionally, maintenance checks are more affordable and effective than repair services. 

2. Locate the source of the problem

Before you take matters into your own hands, determine the actual source of the problem. You can refer to the above pointers to check the potential problems within your system. If you cannot determine the source of the problem or how to treat the same, take help from experts.

3. Clean your unit

Keep your unit clean from the inside as well as from the outside. Before the start of the winter season or during fall, check for areas where insects and animals can enter your unit, get rid of dirt and debris accumulated on your units. If possible, cover the outer portion of your unit with good-quality metal covers.

Bonus Tip: It is always recommended to hire services from HVAC experts to avoid further damage. Hire services from a service provider with a positive review, satisfactory customer service, and more than five years of experience in the industry.