Heat pump not defrosting — Warsaw, Masovian
Heat pumps naturally build frost on the outdoor coil in cold weather, and they run automatic defrost cycles every 30–90 minutes to melt it off. When defrost fails, ice encases the entire outdoor unit, blocking airflow and destroying efficiency — you'll notice lukewarm air from the vents and the compressor running constantly. Common causes are a faulty defrost control board or timer, a stuck reversing valve (which flips the system to cooling mode temporarily to defrost), a bad defrost thermostat or sensor, or a refrigerant leak that alters coil temperature. An HVAC technician can diagnose the failed component, replace the board, sensor, or valve, and verify proper defrost cycling before ice damages the compressor.
Waarom dit veel voorkomt in Warsaw
Warsaw's continental climate with cold, snowy winters (-15°C to -20°C) makes reliable heating critical. District heating (ciepło systemowe) dominates, but individual buildings transitioning to heat pumps face infrastructure challenges.
Who to call
For this problem in Warsaw, call a: Klimaattechnicus
Vind een Klimaattechnicus in WarsawSymptoms to look for
- Thick layer of ice on the entire outdoor heat pump unit
- Lukewarm or cool air blowing from vents when set to heat
- Outdoor unit fan runs constantly but never switches to defrost mode
- Higher than usual electricity bills during heating season
- Compressor makes laboring or unusual sounds under heavy ice load
Spoeddienst in Warsaw
Emergency home services in Warsaw are available 24/7 with response times of 30–60 minutes. Emergency plumbing or electrical calls typically cost PLN 200–500 for the visit plus labor. Building managers (zarządcy) often maintain preferred contractor lists for common emergencies.