Ice on heat pump blades

[Dwellonroof]

We had a new heat pump installed about a year and a half ago which the insurance company paid for a new one because lightning hit the old unit and burnt almost all the electrical components in it and the air handler. The old unit was a Trane with the factory hood/ cover over the top to protect it from the elements but the Trane contractor said it would be an upgrade to replace the old unit with one with the cover since the old one was 13 seer and the new one is 14 seer and the covered one would be 16seer and $1000. more. Needless to say it was hot and humid so I signed up for the 14seer model which cost me nothing but a $1000 dollar deductible.
Now the last 2 winters when it gets too cold for the outdoor unit and it is about ready to turn back on we usually get freezing rain, fog and the blades get ice buildup on them and the heat pump will run out of balance. I have been regretting not either paying for the upgraded model or demanding the insurance company to install the covered model since the old one had a cover but it is what it is.
Now a friend of mine has a different brand heat pump and is now on the 3rd motor so
I did quite a bit of research and came up with a cover

 

[RNeumann]

My condenser has a self de-thaw cycle- I’m wondering if something is not working on your machine.

 

[wagne223]

A cover is the only option for the condition you describe.

The one in your picture will work somewhat, however wind can still blow freezing rain in on the fan, and ice can collect on the outside of the unit.
Plus snow can pack up against it too if it snows deeper then the bottom of your unit.

In any of those cases, the unit will be constantly in defrost mode trying to melt snow and ice. In defrost mode, there is no heat output in the house.

The best solution is an awning type cover 5 or more feet above the unit that is large enough to prevent any rain or snow from getting to the unit.

Just remember to allow for plenty of air movement around and above the unit.

Of course that is not always practical so just do what you can.

 

[Dwellonroof]

The ice buildup on the fan blades is my concern, I think this will help a lot not being in the open

 

[Alan W.]

Mine has done the same thing. Its worse when you use a wood stove and the heatpump doesnt cycle as much. This allows snow and ice to build up more.

I thought the thaw cycle only came on after it had run and the coils needed defrosting.

I do like the lid. My Goodman never had the option. Have thought of making one though.

 

[kcflhrc]

Never seen a heat pump in Kansas with any kind of cover on it. Mine is a Heil 4 ton unit and the defrost cycle takes care of any freezing rain/ice on the blades.

 

[kenmac]

have you tried one of these Kool Kap Air Conditioner Lid - (Large) Keeps Leaves Out /Opens When Fan Comes On | eBay

 

[Dwellonroof]

have you tried one of these Kool Kap Air Conditioner Lid - (Large) Keeps Leaves Out /Opens When Fan Comes On | eBay

I seen that one but thought it would freeze up or the weight of snow would keep it from opening

 

[Ford850]

My old Trane heat pump did this occasionally. If it was bad I would turn off the breaker and dump a few gallons of warm water into the top on the fan, slowly. My new heat pump is a Trane with the cover, and haven't had it happen at all now.

 

[Dwellonroof]

The only thing I don’t like about a Trane/American Standard is that they try their hardest to lock up their part numbers so the common people like us who like to work on their own equipment can not cross reference parts

 

[rhunt]

An awning sounds like a sound idea to me. Easy to build and practical in use. Bob

 

[Dwellonroof]

That would be ok but when the original unit was installed they put it in the front of the house so I also wanted it to look nice

 

[kcflhrc]

Those Heat Pumps move a lot of air. You definitely don't want to obstruct that airflow in any way or they won't work properly. Too close to the house, under an eave, are all bad ideas. The need to pull air from all 4 sides and have an obstructed exhaust out the top. Everything I have read says a minimum of 4 feet clearance from the top but that to me seems way too close. I suppose the angled awning would be a better idea

 

[cqaigy2]

I'm thinking of putting a louvered cover above my heat pump. My thinking is it would allow the air to flow thru it better, but reduce the amount of rain/leaves getting into it from the top.

 

[wagne223]

That would be ok but when the original unit was installed they put it in the front of the house so I also wanted it to look nice View attachment 590554

That is why I mentioned that the awning is not always practical.

You would have to be creative to make it look nice.

 

[kenmac]

Move here and you won't have to worry too much about it. 79 degrees here today ! LOL