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Ron Bishop
12-30-2008, 01:48 PM
On an inspection that I did this morning on a house that had been vacant since August, water was spitting out the sides of this packaged heat pump, and a layer of ice had formed on the roof surface from the spillage. The unit had not been on. I tested the heat pump and it seemed to work fine. Any thoughts as to what the water eruption could be?
Jim Luttrall
12-30-2008, 02:33 PM
Heat pumps will frost in cold weather and therefore need to defrost.
The ice (frost) that melts off the coil has to go somewhere.
Your picture are not clear but I would see if that explanation fits before pursuing other potential problems. The simple answer is usually the right one.
Ted Menelly
12-30-2008, 03:38 PM
The unit had been on and iced up. Someone had left it running in the cold. It was more tan likely one big chunk of ice.
Rick Hurst
12-30-2008, 04:37 PM
Ted,

Bet it looked like this one.

Rick
Ted Menelly
12-30-2008, 04:49 PM
I had a double system where both the air handlers were in a second floor closet. Someone had left the air on during one of the past cold spells we had. The evaporator coils had about 2 inches of ice on both sides. I was actually a nice guy and turned the heat on and as they were melting I was picking slabs of ice out so it would not melt don onto the floor and start dripping through the ceiling down below. Both AC condensers had 6 inch balls of ice around the suction line connection at the condensers.
Ron Bishop
12-30-2008, 04:55 PM
Here is a pic of what this unit looked like...
Raymond Wand
12-30-2008, 04:59 PM
Isn't the drain line suppose to catch the melt water? Perhaps the drain line/pan is clogged?
Ron Bishop
12-30-2008, 05:02 PM
The water was spewing out of the top and sides of the unit.
Ron Bishop
12-30-2008, 05:17 PM
Ted...you say that it was left on and iced up. Aren't heat pumps supposed to be able to run in cold weather? This one supplies heat to the house.
Jim Luttrall
12-30-2008, 05:18 PM
http://www.bryant.com/images/products/pkg-hp-lega-lg.png
That looks like this style of unit with the coils above the compressor and the defrost water will just flow to the outside of the unit like rain.
Jim Luttrall
12-30-2008, 05:25 PM
http://www.trane.com/Residential/Images/content/products/seeInside/XL14c_HP_CUT.jpg
A little closer view.
Ron Bishop
12-30-2008, 05:39 PM
very good info...thanks guys!