HELP - Why is my airsource heat pump freezing up?
Discussion
Just turned my airsource heat pump back on 1 week ago, it raised the water temp from 11 to 14 then froze up (see pic) and the fan stopped.
I know it's still a bit cold but I typically get air temp plus 10 degrees as my water temp, so any ideas why it's frozen?
This happened 2 days ago and no sign of melting either despite the above freezing air temp and the actual heater having stopped.
Google doesn't seem to throw up much.
Many thanks
I know it's still a bit cold but I typically get air temp plus 10 degrees as my water temp, so any ideas why it's frozen?
This happened 2 days ago and no sign of melting either despite the above freezing air temp and the actual heater having stopped.
Google doesn't seem to throw up much.
Many thanks
It looks like there could be a problem with its de-frost stat/controller.
What make and model is it?
Turning it of for a while should allow it to clear.
Edit to say; I missed the bit about the fan having stopped, it could be a problem with the fan or motor. If the fan fails they will ice up.
What make and model is it?
Turning it of for a while should allow it to clear.
Edit to say; I missed the bit about the fan having stopped, it could be a problem with the fan or motor. If the fan fails they will ice up.
Edited by JM on Monday 29th April 19:32
Also check the outdoor air temperature sensor, if you can remove the senor, check its resistance at room temperature.
It should state what it wants to read in your tech manual.
As stated could be anything from the reversing valve/defrost valve to the fan itself being borked....
More info will help.
It should state what it wants to read in your tech manual.
As stated could be anything from the reversing valve/defrost valve to the fan itself being borked....
More info will help.
Thanks, the pump is a Calorex Pro-Pac 22 Y which is (or at least was when I bought it) the largest pump I could buy on single phase. It's an extended season pump that is supposed to operate at temps as low as minus 15.
I've pulled the paperwork and it's still under warranty, so I'm going to try and get an engineer out.
I've pulled the paperwork and it's still under warranty, so I'm going to try and get an engineer out.
JM said:
Any update?
Yes, they came and fixed it yesterday, it was a 5 min job to replace the frost stat relay. Apparently this is a known fault on the Calorax heaters as they were having problems with the supplier of this relay. They claim that they have switched suppliers and there are no longer any issues.They turned the heater back on some time yesterday afternoon and I have already raised the pool temp by 2 degrees so that is a promising sign.
Hi. I have this freezing problem with my calorex ipt16alx
It seems to totally freeze up before going into a defrost cycle.
So, the temp outside yesterday was 24 degrees, and this morning around 18 degrees, but when I checked the temp at 7.45am it had totally frozen. So the weather is really nice and far from severely cold.
Each day I check it and it is frozen amd then goes into defrost cycle . I'm being told this is normal, but according to this forum, it clearly isn't.
It is the first time the heat pump has been used, and it's been on for 8 days constantly.
The idea for economy, was to turn it off when it reached 30 degrees, and then just turn it on for an 8h cycle at night, but I am having to keep it on constant because of the freezing.
Any ideas?
It seems to totally freeze up before going into a defrost cycle.
So, the temp outside yesterday was 24 degrees, and this morning around 18 degrees, but when I checked the temp at 7.45am it had totally frozen. So the weather is really nice and far from severely cold.
Each day I check it and it is frozen amd then goes into defrost cycle . I'm being told this is normal, but according to this forum, it clearly isn't.
It is the first time the heat pump has been used, and it's been on for 8 days constantly.
The idea for economy, was to turn it off when it reached 30 degrees, and then just turn it on for an 8h cycle at night, but I am having to keep it on constant because of the freezing.
Any ideas?
What needs to get to 30 degrees before it turns off?
Is it new, or have you just moved into a property with it?
It shouldn’t be anywhere near freezing up in this weather.
Not the same model, but I’ve had mine running for 2 weeks solid drying a floor out in a new build, it’s never frozen once.
Is it new, or have you just moved into a property with it?
It shouldn’t be anywhere near freezing up in this weather.
Not the same model, but I’ve had mine running for 2 weeks solid drying a floor out in a new build, it’s never frozen once.
Freezing in high ambient conditions, like way above zero degrees is a symptom of low evaporator (the external heat exchanger) temperature/pressure. Possibly a slight shortage of refrigerant or a failure of a control valve or sensor. If is a refrigerant leak it will slowly get worse, then stop working altogether
AirSourceEssex said:
Hi. I have this freezing problem with my calorex ipt16alx
It seems to totally freeze up before going into a defrost cycle.
So, the temp outside yesterday was 24 degrees, and this morning around 18 degrees, but when I checked the temp at 7.45am it had totally frozen. So the weather is really nice and far from severely cold.
Each day I check it and it is frozen amd then goes into defrost cycle . I'm being told this is normal, but according to this forum, it clearly isn't.
It is the first time the heat pump has been used, and it's been on for 8 days constantly.
The idea for economy, was to turn it off when it reached 30 degrees, and then just turn it on for an 8h cycle at night, but I am having to keep it on constant because of the freezing.
Any ideas?
Is the fan running at full speed?. If approaching freezing temp on the coil the fan should be at full bore. It seems to totally freeze up before going into a defrost cycle.
So, the temp outside yesterday was 24 degrees, and this morning around 18 degrees, but when I checked the temp at 7.45am it had totally frozen. So the weather is really nice and far from severely cold.
Each day I check it and it is frozen amd then goes into defrost cycle . I'm being told this is normal, but according to this forum, it clearly isn't.
It is the first time the heat pump has been used, and it's been on for 8 days constantly.
The idea for economy, was to turn it off when it reached 30 degrees, and then just turn it on for an 8h cycle at night, but I am having to keep it on constant because of the freezing.
Any ideas?
If you put the coil temp sensor in a cup of ice does it initiate a defrost cycle?.
What’s the location of the unit? Is it covered or right up against a wall?.
There’s a few things to check before we go down the refrigeration route, but if all above checks out ok it will be a good idea to get a set of gauges on it.
LastPoster said:
Freezing in high ambient conditions, like way above zero degrees is a symptom of low evaporator (the external heat exchanger) temperature/pressure. Possibly a slight shortage of refrigerant or a failure of a control valve or sensor. If is a refrigerant leak it will slowly get worse, then stop working altogether
It's freezing because the evaporator is below zero and the air is humid because it's near a bloody swimming pool.It should switch off or modulate to keep the evaporator above zero.
Possibly the evaporator would stay above zero if the airflow was better.
Or turn the power down to match the airflow you have,
Yes, probably low refrigerant, could be a control/sensor issue.
Quite an easy job to take the refrigerant out and weight it.
If it is more than 10% low, it is very likely there is an internal leak in the heat exchanger. Two choices - fit another heat exchanger - fit another heat pump.
Do NOT pay to simply top up the refrigerant - it will still leak.
And yes, I have had many leaking heat exchangers over the years. They cannot be repaired.
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