If you've noticed frost or ice forming on your heat pump during cold Central Ohio mornings, you might be wondering whether it's cause for concern. The good news is that some icing is completely normal—but knowing when to call for help can prevent bigger problems down the road.

Is your heat pump covered in ice that won't melt? Don't wait for a breakdown. Call Accurate Heating, Cooling & Plumbing at (740) 299-2629 or fill out our online contact form for fast service in Lancaster, Columbus, and surrounding areas.

Why Heat Pumps Get Frost and Ice

Heat pumps work differently than traditional furnaces. Instead of creating heat, they transfer it from the outside air into your home—even when it's cold out. During this process, the outdoor unit can develop frost or ice on the coils, especially when temperatures drop below 40°F.

When your heat pump pulls heat from outdoor air, the refrigerant inside the coils becomes extremely cold. Moisture in the air comes into contact with these cold coils and freezes, creating a thin layer of frost. This happens more often during humid weather or when temperatures hover near freezing.

What's Normal: Light Frost That Melts Away

A small amount of frost on your heat pump is nothing to worry about. Here's what normal looks like:

• Light frost coverage: A thin, even layer of white frost across the outdoor coil is typical during cold weather
• Bottom-only frost: Ice or frost that appears mainly on the bottom of the unit where condensation naturally collects
• Temporary buildup: Frost that appears but melts away within an hour or two

Your heat pump has a built-in defrost cycle designed to handle normal frost buildup. Every 30 to 90 minutes, the system briefly reverses its operation to melt accumulated frost. You might notice steam rising from the unit or hear the fan stop during this cycle—both are perfectly normal signs that your system is taking care of itself.

When Frost Becomes a Problem

While light frost is expected, heavy ice buildup signals something isn't working correctly. Watch for these warning signs:

1. Ice covering the entire unit: When your heat pump looks like a solid block of ice, the defrost cycle isn't working
2. Ice that doesn't melt: Frost should clear within 15 minutes during a defrost cycle; persistent ice means trouble
3. Ice on the top or sides: Normal frost stays near the coils, but ice spreading to other areas indicates a malfunction
4. Continuous operation without defrosting: If your heat pump runs for hours without going through a defrost cycle, something's wrong

These problems won't fix themselves. Ignoring heavy ice buildup forces your system to work harder, driving up energy bills and potentially causing expensive damage.

Common Causes of Excessive Ice Buildup

Understanding why your heat pump might ice over helps you prevent future problems. Several issues can interfere with normal operation:

Defrost cycle failures occur when sensors, timers, or reversing valves malfunction. Without properly timed defrost cycles, frost continues accumulating until it covers the entire unit.

Low refrigerant levels change how your system operates. When refrigerant is low—usually due to a leak—the coils become colder than they should, creating excess frost that the defrost cycle can't keep up with.

Restricted airflow prevents your heat pump from working efficiently. When outdoor coils get clogged with leaves, dirt, or debris, air can't circulate properly. This causes moisture to freeze faster than the system can melt it.

Drainage problems allow water to pool around the unit instead of draining away. In freezing temperatures, this standing water turns to ice and builds up around the base and coils.

What to Do When You Spot Heavy Ice

If you notice excessive ice on your heat pump, take these steps:

• Don't chip or scrape the ice: You could damage the delicate fins and coils, making the problem worse and requiring costly repairs
• Turn off the system: Switch your thermostat to "off" or "emergency heat" if available to prevent damage
• Check for obvious issues: Clear any debris, leaves, or snow blocking the unit, and make sure nothing is covering the top
• Call for professional help: Contact a licensed HVAC technician to diagnose and fix the underlying problem

Never try to force ice off your heat pump with tools or hot water. Professional technicians have the right equipment and knowledge to safely remove ice and repair whatever's causing the problem.

Preventing Ice Buildup on Your Heat Pump

Regular maintenance keeps your heat pump running smoothly through Ohio's cold winters. Here's how to minimize icing problems:

Keep the area around your outdoor unit clear of snow, ice, and debris. Make sure there's at least two feet of clearance on all sides for proper airflow. During winter storms, gently brush off snow accumulation—but don't disturb any frost on the coils themselves.

Schedule annual maintenance before heating season begins. A trained technician will check refrigerant levels, test the defrost cycle, clean the coils, and catch small problems before they become expensive emergencies. This preventive care helps your system run efficiently and extends its lifespan.

Replace your indoor air filter every one to three months during heating season. A dirty filter restricts airflow throughout your entire system, which can contribute to outdoor coil icing. This simple task takes just minutes but makes a real difference in performance.

Understanding Your Heat Pump's Defrost Cycle

Most homeowners don't need to think about defrost cycles—until something goes wrong. Here's what you should know:

During a defrost cycle, your heat pump temporarily reverses direction. Instead of pulling heat into your home, it pushes warm refrigerant to the outdoor coils to melt frost. The outdoor fan stops running, and you might notice slightly cooler air from your vents for a few minutes.

Modern heat pumps use sensors to detect when defrost is needed. Some systems defrost on a timer, while others monitor temperature or pressure. The cycle typically lasts 5 to 15 minutes and should happen several times throughout cold days.

If you notice your heat pump entering defrost mode constantly or never defrosting at all, the control system needs professional heating repair. These issues won't improve on their own.

When to Switch to Emergency Heat

Many heat pumps include an emergency heat setting that bypasses the outdoor unit and relies on backup electric resistance heat. This is expensive to run, but it can keep your home warm while you wait for repairs.

Use emergency heat only when absolutely necessary—when your heat pump is completely iced over, making unusual noises, or not producing any warm air. Once you switch to emergency heat, schedule service as soon as possible. Running on emergency heat for extended periods will result in very high electric bills.

Get Expert Heat Pump Service in Central Ohio

Heat pumps need different care than traditional heating systems, and diagnosing icing problems requires specialized knowledge. Whether you're dealing with excessive ice buildup or simply want to keep your system running efficiently, the trained technicians at Accurate Heating, Cooling & Plumbing are here to help. We serve Lancaster, Columbus, and all of Central Ohio with fast, reliable service.

Call us at (740) 299-2629 or contact us online to schedule your heat pump inspection or repair today.