How does the defrost cycle work on Grant Aerona heat pumps? November 24, 2022 Clean Heat Solutions provide expert heating engineer services in Southampton, Sussex, Portsmouth, and Hampshire The defrost cycle on a heat pump is designed to prevent the coils from freezing over. The coils are located outside, so they are exposed to the elements and can easily turn into a block of ice. When this happens, it prevents the heat pump from working properly and can cause damage to the unit. You might be wondering how this defrost cycle works. It's a common question and the one that we'll answer in this blog post. Need help with your heat pump? Call Clean Heat Solutions at 07391473964 or email info@cleanheatingsolutionskent.co.uk, our heating engineers will be with you shortly. What is a heat pump? A heat pump is a device that relocates heat from one place to another. The most common type of heat pump is an air-source heat pump, which transfers heat between your home and the outside air. Heat pumps can also be used to transfer heat between a water source and your home. How does the defrost cycle work on a Grant Aerona heat pump? When the outdoor temperature is below freezing, water vapour in the air can turn into ice on the heat pump’s coils. This is called frost buildup, and it reduces the efficiency of the heat pump. To prevent this, the defrost cycle is incorporated into the Grant Aerona heat pumps. When the control sensors of the heat pump detect that the evaporator coils have cooled down and there is ice on the coils, it automatically turns on the defrost system, which reverses the flow of refrigerant for a small period and also stops the fan simultaneously. This draws a small amount of heat from the heating system and pushes it into the evaporator coils to melt the ice. When all the ice is melted, the system returns back to normal. The fan is also turned on again. Sometimes, steam may be blown out from the front grill. This phenomenon is completely normal, as it is just the melted ice from the evaporator coils. How to know if your heat pump is damaged? If your heat pump isn't providing enough heat or if it's making strange noises, it may be time to replace it. Check the manufacturer's recommendations to see how often you should replace your heat pump. If you see any of the signs, contact professional heating engineers immediately. If you reside in Southampton, Sussex, Portsmouth, or Hampshire, get the services of our trained heating engineers at Clean Heat Solutions. Call us at 07391473964 or send us a message using our contact form and we'll be happy to help.