• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer

512-336-1431

1431-183 A/C & Heating 512-336-1431

1431 -183 A/C & Heating

  • Home
  • Contact
  • About
  • Residential
  • Products
  • Blog

The Heat Pump Defrost Cycle Explained

January 19, 2022 by Mike McFadden - A/C & Heating Specialist
Why Your Furnace’s Pilot Light Won’t Stay Lit - 1431-183 AC & Heating

Does your home have a heat pump? Heat pumps have become increasingly popular. They can cool and warm your home – just like traditional heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) systems.

Heat pumps, however, have different cycles, one of which is the defrost cycle. Depending on how cold it is outside, your heat pump may enter the defrost cycle.

What Is the Defrost Cycle

The defrost cycle is designed to eliminate ice on the outdoor coil of a heat pump. Heat pumps have two coils. One of these coils is installed indoors and the other coil is installed outdoors.

When your heat pump goes into the defrost cycle, it will transfer heat to the outdoor coil. This heat will cause any lingering ice or frost to melt away.

How the Defrost Cycle Works

When your heat pump goes into the defrost cycle, it will essentially operate in reverse. Heat pumps are similar to AC systems. They both have an indoor coil and an outdoor coil.

When using your heat pump to cool your home, the indoor coil will absorb heat before transferring it to the outdoor coil. This is the same way that an AC system creates cool air.

You can use your heat pump to warm your home as well. While in heating mode, the outdoor coil will absorb heat, which it will send to the indoor coil.

Your heat pump may go into the defrost mode while it’s attempting to warm your home. The defrost mode will reverse its operation. Your heat pump will send heat from the indoor coil to the outdoor coil during this mode.

Common Problems With the Defrost Cycle

The defrost mode may not work if your heat pump is low on refrigerant. Heat pumps are dependent upon refrigerant. There are different types of refrigerants, but they are all designed to absorb heat as they flow through the passages of the coils and the lines to which they are connected.

Low refrigerant levels mean that your heat pump won’t be able to absorb or transfer heat. And transferring heat is how the defrost cycle works.

Faulty sensors may prevent the defrost cycle from working as well. Heat pumps only go into the defrost cycle when there’s ice on the outdoor coil. To detect ice, most of them have sensors. Faulty sensors mean that your heat pump may fail to identify ice on the outdoor coil, in which case it probably won’t go into the defrost cycle.

If you are experiencing a problem with your air conditioning or heating call us at 512-336-1431 to schedule an appointment. We’ll be glad to come out and take a look at the issue.

1431-183 A/C & Heating proudly serves Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Leander, Liberty Hill, and North Austin.

Category: Heating & Heat Pump Systems

About Mike McFadden – A/C & Heating Specialist

Mike is a local Air Conditioning and Heating specialist based in Round Rock, Texas.

Sidebar

Search this Website

Our Services

  • HVAC Service, Repair, and Installation
  • Equipment Design
  • Servicing Condensing Units, Compressors, Condensers
  • Servicing Amana, Goodman, and all other makes and models
  • Heat Pumps, Heatpump Furnaces, Gas / Electric
  • Programmable Thermostats

Recent Posts

  • What Are the Best HVAC Systems for Central Texas Weather?
  • What Is the Best Temperature Setting for Comfort and Savings?
  • How HVAC Systems Can Help Manage Respiratory Issues
  • Common HVAC Problems and How to Fix Them
  • How Do I Check My HVAC Filters?

Better Business Bureau

1431 - 183 A/C & Heating BBB Business Review

Archives

  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019

Categories

  • Air Conditioning
  • Air Conditioning Problems
  • Air Conditioning Systems
  • Air Quality Tips
  • Energy Saving Tips
  • Heating
  • Heating & Heat Pump Systems
  • Heating Problems
  • How Do I?
  • HVAC Financing
  • HVAC Maintenance
  • HVAC Noise Reduction
  • HVAC Warranties
  • Uncategorized

We’re With You Every Step Of The Way

1431-183 A/C & Heating proudly serves Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Leander, Liberty Hill, and North Austin.

If you are experiencing a problem with your air conditioning or heating system call us right away at 512-336-1431 to schedule an appointment. We’ll be glad to come out and take a look at the issue.

Contact Us Today!

Office Location: 3406 Nocona Cove, Round Rock, TX 78665

Certification

Regulated by The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, PO Box 12157 Austin TX 78711.

License: TACLB26619E

Copyright © 2025 · 1431 -183 A/C & Heating
All Rights Reserved
Website Built, Hosted, and Managed by
Digital Donkey Marketing