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egkempton · Oct 31, 2008, 03:48 PM

Condenser coil is frozen solid. What is the best way to thaw it out. Right now we have the heat off and fan running. We have also explosed the coils and have a heater on it.
Would it help to cut the freon off and if so how. Bryant heat pump - Carrier condenser.
Thanks

hvac1000 · Oct 31, 2008, 05:52 PM

If the coils are freezing outside the best way to fix that is to run the machine in the defrost mode. Your defrost circuit has a problem to start with because it did not defrost the coil automatically. Fix the defrost system and the problem will go away.

egkempton · Oct 31, 2008, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by hvac1000

If the coils are freezing outside the best way to fix that is to run the machine in the defrost mode. Your defrost circuit has a problem to start with because it did not defrost the coil automatically. Fix the defrost system and the problem will go away.

I appreciate you trying to help but the problem is on the inside of house. The condenser is icing up while heat is running. Why is there freon passing through unit in heat mode. Is there anyway to cut the freon off so that it will stop freezing coils. Have tried cuting heat off and fan running, using a space heater to melt it(which it doesn't) and now had up a fan beside it in hopes to melt it that way.

hvac1000 · Oct 31, 2008, 11:10 PM

Well the inside coil is called a evaporator coil the outside is called a condenser coil.

You said ((If the coils are freezing outside )) so I thought you meant the condenser coils outside. No problem.

The outside unit should not be running when you are in the heat mode unless you have a heat pump system.

Do you have a heat pump system?

You can pull the disconnect outside or turn off the circuit breaker for the outside unit. That will stop it from running.

wmproop · Nov 1, 2008, 07:45 AM

Sounds like you are running a/c and furnace at the same time,, if the heatpump is working correctly it would be sending hot freon in to the evaporater coil ,not cold to make it freeze up(which it shouldn`t be doing anyway) the operating furnace should be putting out heat to stop coil from freezing,even if they are both running at the same time,, I hope I`m understanding you right,,

egkempton · Nov 1, 2008, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by hvac1000

Well the inside coil is called a evaporator coil the outside is called a condenser coil.

You said ((If the coils are freezing outside )) so I thought you meant the condenser coils outside. No problem.

The outside unit should not be running when you are in the heat mode unless you have a heat pump system.

Do you have a heat pump system?

You can pull the disconnect outside or turn off the circuit breaker for the outside unit. That will stop it from running.

Sorry for the confussion and yes it is a heat pump. The house is staying at about 71 all the time. It is surpose to be in high 60's or 70 this week so are you saying to pull the fuses outside and that will make to thaw? If we ever get it thawed then what. It is an old unit and probably should be replaced but like everyone else that is retired are trying to hold on a little longer.
Thanks so much for your help.

egkempton · Nov 1, 2008, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by wmproop

sounds like you are running a/c and furnace at the same time,,,,,if the heatpump is working correctly it would be sending hot freon in to the evaporater coil ,not cold to make it freeze up(which it shouldn`t be doing anyway) the operating furnace should be putting out heat to stop coil from freezing,even if they are both running at the same time,,,,I hope I`m understanding you right,,,,,,,,,,,,

I have put in a new Honeywell 2 stage thermastat and it says that we are on heat and the house is warm but who knows. I am afraid that when I put in an old metal filter for a couple of days until I could get some others that I may have blocked something up and air couldn't get through. Stopped running the other day so called someone to come and turned out to be the fuses on fan. He checked the fuses and replaced to the tune of $150.00. Had just spent $400.00 a month ago which I won't go in to. I don't know what to do but at this rate could have started buying a new one. It is about 19 years old. I have no idea at that point what to get and who to get to do the work. I am just starting my"golden" years and haven't seen any gold yet.

hvac1000 · Nov 1, 2008, 12:34 PM

Sounds like you will be better off spending some gold to start with. At 19 years of age it is time to replace not repair. You are just tossing $$$ away at this point. I hate to be the barrer of bad news but the truth is always better than fiction.

egkempton · Nov 1, 2008, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by hvac1000

Sounds like you will be better off spending some gold to start off with. At 19 years of age it is time to replace not repair. You are just tossing $$$ away at this point. I hate to be the barrer of bad news but the truth is always better than fiction.

I know you are right but just hope I can convence my campanion of it. He still wants to call someone for another "bandaide". You would think that with it being my house that it was a done deal but life isn't that kind. Anyway, it may take a few days but will get a new unit when things settle down. Any suggestion on how to decide on what kind and who to do the work?
Thanks so much for hanging in there with me. You probably have kept me sane through all this and for that alone I give you 5 stars!

hvac1000 · Nov 1, 2008, 08:55 PM

The install is the most important aspect of buying a new unit. Expensive equiptment can be turned to junk by a poor install. Run of the mill equiptment will last a long time if properly installed.

Check with your friends and see who they have been happy with in the past for there work. Get three estimates so you know a ball park range of $$$ you are going to spend. But most of all check the company's out with the BBB to see if any complaints have been filed for shoddy worksmanship.

Remember when you are bleeding to death a bandaid will not help. Its your money spend it wisely.