Why Is My Heat Pump Freezing Up in the Summer?

It’s a hot summer day, you have the thermostat set to cool, and somehow your heat pump is frozen. Seems off, right? Actually, this is a super common dilemma for homeowners in the summer!

If this happens to your unit, the system will have to use more energy to run, and it still won’t effectively cool your home. If left unattended, a frozen coil will cause serious damage to the rest of your heat pump.

How Do I Know My Heat Pump Froze in the Summer?

Thankfully, it’s fairly simple to monitor the heat pump in your home. Over the Summer, you’ll want to keep your eye out for frost on your system’s inside evaporator coil. You will usually find the coil “hidden” inside a blower cabinet, which should be located in your utility closet, attic, or crawl space. The location will determine how easy it is for your to access this part of your unit, but once you’re in there, all you have to do is look!

If you see ice on the heat pump’s evaporator coil or refrigerant lines, even if it’s just a few drops or a thin layer, shut off your heat pump immediately. Try switching the system’s fan from “auto” to “on” and see if that will defrost the ice. If not, call Metro Heat Cool to come assess and repair your heat pump as soon as possible, because you’ll want it fixed before the ice reaches your compressor!

Why Your Heat Pump Freezes Up in the Summer

While you wait for the HVAC technician to arrive, you’re probably wondering, “Why is my heat pump freezing up in the summer? It’s supposed to be hot, not cold!” Well, your heat pump works to cool your home by absorbing heat with a cold refrigerant that runs through your evaporator coil. As warm air hits the coil, condensation builds up. If the coil gets too cold, the condensation freezes, causing your heat pump to “ice up” in the summer.

How does my heat pump’s coil get too cold?

• The coil is too dirty: The more dirt that builds up on your coil, the more insulated it is from the warm air blowing over it. A nice layer of grime will help your coil become quite cool. Avoid this issue by regularly changing your air filters and having your coil professionally cleaned from time to time.
• Your system has poor airflow:  Dirty air filters, blocked return vents, or a faulty blower could all be the cause of low airflow. And, again, a lack of warm air blowing over the coil will lead it to freeze.
• The heat pump is running low on refrigerant: When the refrigerant is low, your system’s pressure will drop, which causes the coil to grow colder than usual. This is the most common source of frozen coils.

If you live in Fenton, MO, or the Greater St. Louis area and your heat pump freezes up during the summer, call Metro Heating & Cooling to schedule a service appointment. One of our licensed HVAC technicians will diagnose your heat pump’s problems and repair it as soon as we can. We want to restore your home to a cool, comfortable temperature as soon as possible.

Heat Pump Repair in Fenton & St. Louis County, MO

If you find that your heat pump freezes up in the summer, we can help! Metro Heating & Cooling offers top quality heat pump repair work with fair, upfront prices. Call 314-845-5900 or contact us online to schedule your service appointment.