We got more and more heat pump inquire these days. And one of our client ask if there is auto defrosting function in our heat pumps.
Sure, all or heat pumps with Auto defrosting function.
Why this function is a must, and why this client is so concern about it?
As we know that a heat pump could be covered in a bit of frost during the winter, Especially when it’s humid outside.
The reason for that is when a heat pump in “heating” mode, it move heat from the outside air and transfer it into your home. When that happens the humidity/moisture in the air around the heat pump becomes frost and clings to the heat pump.
If there is auto defrosting function there, in other words, heat pump can melt all his ice/frost on the blue fin heat exchanger and re-start to heating.
This auto defrost mode usually starts around 30-90 minutes.
And during defrosting mode, heat pump blows cold air, the reason for that is When the heat pump starts its defrost cycle, it temporarily reverses to send hot gas to the outdoor coil to melt the frost. Basically it’s working in air conditioning mode.
To make up for that, the fan in the outdoor unit shuts off. Then your heat pump’s auxiliary heat (either an electric heat strip or a backup furnace) comes on to keep you warm until the defrost cycle finishes. Thus no need to worry about when you found there is cold air when heat pump in defrosting mode.
However, if the heat pump has been cover with thick iced more than 90 minutes, we had to suspect there’s something wrong with the defrost mode, such as a bad defrost timer or a malfunctioning reversing valve. Highly suggest to contact the technician to check and find out the solution at soonest.