Here are some easy steps you can take to protect your heat pump and air conditioner from snow and ice damage:
- Make sure the defrost cycle works on your heat pump.
- NEVER cover your heat pump!
- Cover your air conditioner condenser during the off-season.
- Create a wind barrier around the unit.
- Regularly shovel away snow.
How do I protect my heat pump from ice?
Stop snow and debris covering your heat pump by covering it yourself. You can buy outdoor covers from a home improvement store. These covers are designed for protection – and maximum airflow. With a little ingenuity, you can also build a shelter or permanent roof yourself.
Can you cover a heat pump outside?
You should not cover your heat pump because it runs all year long. As long as it’s running, it needs to be able to freely take in air along the sides and release exhaust out the top. Sometimes a storm causes snow or ice to accumulate on the heat pump. You should only remove the snow or ice from the top.
Can you put a cover on a heat pump?
No, do not cover your heat pump in winter! To function properly, a heat pump needs to pull in the outdoor air through the side vents and exhaust through the top of the unit. If you cover your heat pump, it may not operate as designed and may cause damage to the system.
Is it normal for a heat pump to be covered in ice?
Heat Pumps Often Ice Up During Cold Weather
If you check on your heat pump and find that the is covered in ice, don’t panic. This is normal during periods of cold weather, like the winter months in Pennsylvania. When the heat pump is working to heat your home, it’s normal for a bit of frost to form on the coils.
Should I clear snow off my heat pump?
Clearing Snow off Heat Pumps
Using a shovel to clear a heavy snow accumulation on a heat pump can be risky because it can damage the copper pipes on top of the condenser. If you are snowed in and can’t make your way to the heat pump, you might have to turn on a secondary heat source until you can access your heat pump.
Will snow damage my heat pump?
Well, literally speaking the snow itself isn’t going to harm your unit, it’s the accumulation. Your heat pump’s outdoor unit has two major places it needs to breath from for optimal operation. Your heat pump relies on pulling air from the back of the unit to the front.
Should you enclose heat pump?
Heat pumps are, however, prone to other dangers, such as congestion due to dust or mechanical damage to their exposed parts. Therefore it is necessary to cover them. Choose the right material to enclose your heat pump.
How do you enclose a heat pump?
In general, you want to keep the sides of the unit 18- to 24-inches from any possible obstructions. When installed, it should naturally be 24-inches from the wall of the building. The top of the unit should be clear without anything placed above it.
How do I protect my condenser in the winter?
The simplest way to protect your A/C condenser over winter is simply covering it with a sheet of plywood weighed down with bricks. This will protect the unit from falling icicles without letting moisture build up inside.
Should you cover your condenser in the winter?
Once it is off, no dirt or other debris will go inside. Outdoor cooling units are built to endure these harsh winter weather conditions, which eliminates the need for a cover. Moisture (water) can freeze the air conditioner’s condenser coils, which can cause damage over time.
Do you need to clear snow off HVAC unit?
HVAC units are built to withstand some snow and ice, but they require air flow to work properly. If you have a heat pump, snow needs to be cleared at least 18 inches around and all snow removed from the top of the unit.
How do I protect my HVAC in an ice storm?
Here are some easy steps you can take to protect your heat pump and air conditioner from snow and ice damage:
- Make sure the defrost cycle works on your heat pump.
- NEVER cover your heat pump!
- Cover your air conditioner condenser during the off-season.
- Create a wind barrier around the unit.
- Regularly shovel away snow.
Should you turn off heat pump ice storm?
The emergency heat should only be turned on by the homeowner in emergency situations when something happens to the first stage heat source – your heat pump. For example, if during an ice storm a tree is knocked down and damages your outdoor unit, you should switch on your emergency heat and call an HVAC professional.
