DIY guideAC and heat pump

Keep a heat pump clear of snow and ice

Let it defrost itself, brush the snow off, keep the space round it and under it clear, and never chip the ice.

7 steps

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A light frost that melts every so often, with the fan stopped and a puff of steam, is the unit defrosting itself. Leave it.
After a snowfall, brush loose snow off its top and sides with a soft brush.
Keep your hands and the brush out of the fan grille.
Shovel the snow back from every side, about two feet (60 cm), so it can breathe and drain.
It stands on legs or a stand so the melt water can run away. Keep the space under it free of snow and ice.
Water dripping onto it from the eaves can bury it in ice. If it does, ask Handyman for a gutter or a cover.
Never hit or chip ice off it: the fins bend and the tubes can split. Let it melt on its own.
Ice over the whole unit for hours, a fan that won't turn, or grinding: set the thermostat to emergency heat if it has one, and ask Handyman for a heating and cooling tech.

Handyman says: Iced over? I'll find an HVAC tech.

Free for every home. Handyman asks a few questions, then books a pro it trusts.