how do i protect my heat pump from freezing rain

The following are a few tips that you should follow in order to prevent your heat pump from freezing:

• Keep the heat pump’s outdoor unit clear – Unimpeded airflow is necessary for your heat pump to work properly. ...
• Watch for leaky gutters near your heat pump – Gutters that are leaking or that aren’t secure can cause water to drip down onto your outdoor unit where it can freeze. ...

Full Answer

How do I keep my heat pump from freezing up?

Keep reading for more. The first thing to do is to keep your heat pump protected from heavy rain, snow, and ice. Although modern heat pumps are designed to withstand freezing temperatures, it is important to keep yours protected from the unpredictable weather.

How can I Make my heat pump more energy efficient during winter?

One of the most practical ways to increase energy efficiency during winter is to air seal your home. This keeps the hot air from escaping and the cold draft outside. The result is, less energy is used in heating your home. So, if you want your heat pump to run efficiently during the winter months, it's a good idea to air seal your home.

How does snow affect a heat pump?

With a heat pump, damage can be caused by debris, branches, hail, and elements in general, which could easily reduce unit performance and longevity. While your unit can handle some frost, too much snow and ice will lead to problems with the heating process.

Do I need to protect my heat pump from gas furnaces?

Unlike a gas furnace or other types of HVAC systems, you don't need to do anything too dramatic. Protecting your heat pump and making it run efficiently is pretty much straightforward. HVAC problems? Get Free Quotes Today! Generally, most heat pumps have the compressor and condenser located outside.

Should I turn off my heat pump during freezing rain?

Freezing rain will cause the top of the unit to freeze over and in some cases the blade itself will be unable to turn. Solution: TURN THE UNIT OFF and use the emergency heat setting at the thermostat to turn the back-up heat on to keep the home comfortable.

How do I stop my heat pump from freezing rain?

Here are some things you can do to prevent heat pump snow and ice buildup:Clear away debris from the unit (maintain a 2-foot clearance around entire unit). ... Create a cover, canopy, or freestanding shelter for your unit (this will also improve efficiency in summer by providing shade).More items...•

How do I protect my outside heat pump unit?

Cover the Heat Pump Stop snow and debris covering your heat pump by covering it yourself. You can buy outdoor covers from a home improvement store. These covers are designed for protection – and maximum airflow. With a little ingenuity, you can also build a shelter or permanent roof yourself.

Should you cover an outdoor heat pump?

However, if you have a heat pump, you should never cover the outdoor unit since it is used year-round. Covering the outdoor components of a heat pump is a fire hazard and may result in massive damage.

How do I protect my heat pump from snow and ice?

Clear snow underneath and around the unit "It will just freeze up right inside the heat pump … so you definitely want to keep the snow away from this as best as possible," he said. "Shovel out underneath them and around them as best you can."

What outside temperature is too cold for heat pump?

Heat pumps do not operate as efficiently when temperatures drop to between 25 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit for most systems. A heat pump works best when the temperature is above 40. Once outdoor temperatures drop to 40 degrees, heat pumps start losing efficiency, and they consume more energy to do their jobs.

Should I turn off heat pump in snow storm?

If you are not going to be home for a period of time and you see that snow is forecasted then it is best to shut your system down and turn on your backup heating to avoid any possible damage to your outdoor heat pump unit.

How do I protect my HVAC in an ice storm?

Tips to Protect HVAC Systems From Ice and SnowClear away any tree branches. If there are limbs or branches hanging near an outdoor unit, remove them before the first snowfall. ... Remove buildup on the unit itself. ... Check the outside vents. ... Install a protective system. ... Schedule seasonal maintenance.

Should I clear snow off my heat pump?

Clearing Snow off Heat Pumps Using a shovel to clear a heavy snow accumulation on a heat pump can be risky because it can damage the copper pipes on top of the condenser. If you are snowed in and can't make your way to the heat pump, you might have to turn on a secondary heat source until you can access your heat pump.

Can heat pumps get wet?

The heat pump can work in the rain, but not in the water. If the outdoor unit is partially or fully submerged, turn off the HVAC system at the electrical panel. Have a professional inspect the system before turning it back on again. Other than extreme situations, your outdoor unit should be fine.

How do I make a heat pump cover?

0:172:36Heat pump cover for ice protection - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOut with two by fours. There's two by fours going around the top of the unit. And then I have a 2x4MoreOut with two by fours. There's two by fours going around the top of the unit. And then I have a 2x4 laying flat here and one on the other side here and that basically keeps it from falling down.

What do you do with a heat pump in the winter?

7 Tips for Maximizing Heat Pump Performance in the WinterStop cranking up the temperature. ... Don't rely on emergency heat. ... Keep your filter clean. ... Keep leaves and debris clear of your outdoor unit. ... Do NOT cover your system. ... Don't worry about the defrost mode. ... Follow a regular maintenance schedule.

Will emergency heat defrost heat pump?

The heat pump should run its defrost cycle automatically, but if it isn't thawing itself then it may need to be manually switched on. Again, not all systems may have an option to manually run the defrost cycle, at least not easily. You will have to do some research on your particular system in order to confirm.

Can I pour warm water on my heat pump?

Yes. You can pour hot or warm water over your heat pump to melt off any snow and ice. In some regions that aren't too cold, you can even use cold water from a hose. Pouring hot water on frozen heat pump is a common means of thawing your unit.

Should you cover a heat pump in the winter?

You should not cover your heat pump because it runs all year long. As long as it's running, it needs to be able to freely take in air along the sides and release exhaust out the top. Sometimes a storm causes snow or ice to accumulate on the heat pump. You should only remove the snow or ice from the top.

When should you run emergency heat?

So when should you turn on your EM heat? The only time that you should activate emergency heating is if your heat pump is broken. Also, you should only use it temporarily until you can get your heating system fixed.

Why turn heat pump on when it's freezing?

It's always a good idea to turn a heat pump to emergency heat mode when you have freezing rain, to prevent damage to the fan, top and blades since it could accumulate more ice than it can handle. Otherwise, this looks pretty normal.

Is it normal for a heat pump to freeze?

If you have a heat pump it is normal for the outside unit to freeze up. Especially when it rains when its cold. There is a defrost mode for the unit and it will melt the ice when it is time.

Do-it-yourself Solutions for Frozen Heat Pumps

Frozen heat pumps are typically a byproduct of freezing rain. In this rain, the unit’s top portion freezes over and then ice and frost will accumulate on the rest. Leaky gutters dripping onto the unit also can be contributing factors.

When to Call an HVAC Technician

In cases where the aforementioned techniques prove ineffective (or if your pump just keeps getting iced over inexplicably), then it’s time to call in the professionals. It’s likely that some kind of electrical or mechanical malfunction lies at the root of your problem.