How to Repair a Heat Pump?

Answer 1

Heat pumps are used to keep the heat separate from a storage of liquid. It also transfer that heat to the area surrounding the pump. Every once in a while, ice can start to build up around the outside of the heat pump. There is more than one reason that this could be happening. One of the reasons is just that there are very cold temperatures that keep the pump's automatic defrost from working as it should. If the ice is defrosted manually, the problem can be fixed. This will allow the defrosting functions of the pump to work as they normally would. The first thing that needs to be done is for the heat pump to be turned off to keep from being electrocuted. Then, the pump will also need some time to cool down. It needs to be completely cooled before any more work can be done. If the pump is still hot at all while ice is being dealt with, some substantial damage can be made. The electrical box and all wires that are connected to the pump should be covered with a plastic sheet. It needs to cover up every part of the electric system to keep any water from getting into it. A garden hose can be used to spray water straight at the parts of the pump that have ice on them. This will get the pump to thaw out a little. Water should be sprayed onto the top of the pump so it can run down over the top of the ice. Warm water would be best because it will help to melt the ice. The hose should be moved along the ice as each piece melts off. Any large pieces of ice that start to come off of the pump can be easily removed by hand. When the ice has finished melting and the large chunks of ice have been pulled off of the pump, the plastic sheeting can be taken off. The pump can then be run just like normal. Once this is finished, it will also help keep the water dry and keep it from freezing again any time soon.