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Yes both indoor and outdoor fans will operate, the only time 1 will stop in heat mode is in defrost the outdoor one stops briefly to defrost better,
do you have a heat pump? are you running unit in heat? if so and the steam is comming from outside unit, this is normal in the units defrost cycle
When a heat pump goes into defrost mode, it temporarily reverses its operation to warm the outdoor coil, melting any accumulated frost or ice. This process involves the heat pump drawing heat from the indoor air and transferring it to the outdoor unit, preventing ice build-up that can hinder efficiency. The defrost cycle typically lasts only a short time, after which the system resumes normal heating operation. The unit may also briefly stop blowing warm air indoors during this cycle.
It can, but for safety call or check with the banned that you have
A heat pump defrosts itself by reversing its cycle to temporarily warm up the outdoor coil. This melts any ice buildup on the coil, allowing the heat pump to continue operating efficiently. The melted ice typically drains away or evaporates.
Imagine a window AC unit installed backwards, rejecting heat indoors while air conditioning the world, this is a heat pumps heat mode. As the unit is air conditioning in the cool outdoors eventually the outdoor coil will ice up requiring a defrost cycle, defrost is the AC mode except the outdoor fans off to assist with the defrosting. A defrost cycle is time and temperature initiated, time or temperature terminated.
A heat pump may enter a defrost cycle every 5 minutes due to excessive frost accumulation on the outdoor coil, often caused by low outdoor temperatures combined with high humidity levels. Additionally, improper airflow due to blocked filters or dirty coils can lead to inefficient heat exchange, prompting the system to frequently defrost. Faulty sensors or control boards may also trigger unnecessary defrost cycles. Regular maintenance and checks can help identify and resolve these issues.
Ice on a heat pump is completely normal. In operation the heatpump removes heat from outside air and delivers this heat into the home. When the temperature falls below about 45F and the humidity is high enough the moisture condenses on the heat pump fins. The heat pumps have sensors to detect the ice buildup and will reverse every 40 to 90 minutes to defrost the external coils and restore the ability to move air through the fins. If the system runs, builds up ice and does not periodically defrost itself the system is in need of service as the defrost cycle is not being initiated properly.
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what controls the heat pump to determine whether it is in the heating cycle or cooling cycle
To defrost a heat pump, you typically need to switch it to the defrost mode, which temporarily reverses the refrigeration cycle to warm the outdoor coils and melt any accumulated ice. Make sure the heat pump runs for a sufficient duration to allow the melting process to occur. Additionally, ensure that the air filter and outdoor unit are clean to promote efficient airflow, which can help prevent excessive ice buildup. If ice continues to form, it may indicate a maintenance issue that requires professional attention.
Your heat pump is going through a defrost cycle.