Podcast episode (Derek Cole Podcast) explaining why a heat pump can freeze in winter: two main causes are refrigerant leaks (low refrigerant) and restricted airflow—often from high‑MERV or clogged air filters. Practical advice: check the air filter (should be easy to remove) and inspect for refrigerant issues; episode closes with promotional calls to follow and share, and visit simmons1hour.com.
Chapters
What causes your unit to freeze over when you have the heat on?
Hey everyone, I'm Derek Cole, host of the Derek Cole Podcast, and we believe in taking the time to explain how things work for your air at home or your business. Let's get into today's episode. Please listen closely and maybe even take some notes so you can remember these insights of home comfort and energy savings. And share this episode with three of your friends because we all need to share better ways to be more comfortable at home. Be sure to tag me or DM me on Instagram @derek mcol so I can say hi. Thanks again for listening.
And let's begin. So we had a heat pump. I'm assuming if it's a heat pump, refrigerant still can flow back and forth. So you could have a refrigerant leak causing the unit to freeze, or you could have an airflow problem. What I've seen in that regard are people who are buying filters that are high rated in MERV rating, which means they're very allergy efficient filter filters. But the problem is they're also stopping up the airflow as it comes into the return grill. So when the unit starves for air, it then freezes up. You see that if you go outside to your unit, you'll see the frost and the ice build up around the refrigerant line. That's because it can't breathe. It's trying to run a marathon through breathing out of a straw. It's not working out very well. So therefore it's freezing up. So usually those are the two big problems, or refrigerant and a lack of refrigerant, or it's leaking and airflow. So I would check, first of all, check your air filter. I mean, it should be a gentle tug to get it out. It shouldn't be, you know, bare against the wall to get it out of the return grill. It shouldn't be that hard because there's always a trade off between buying a high quality filter and then having airflow. So with air cleaning you can do both, but with regular filtration you cannot. There has to be a give and take. You can't have the best filter and get the best airflow from an air filter. You can when you start air cleaning, but not with a filter. So check that one. That would be easier. If it's not that, then you have a refrigerant problem.
Okay. I hope you enjoyed this episode of the Derek Cole Podcast. Tell some people about this episode. It's on each of us really to spread the better ways to be healthier and more comfortable in our homes and workspaces. I'm asking you to be the dealer of positive and life changing messages in your circle of influence. Take a screenshot right now and share the screenshot and the link to this episode with three of your friends today. Share on social media Use the hashtag Healthy Home. That's Healthy Home. We are always giving away shout outs prizes to our community. If you would like to help me personally then please rate and review on Apple podcast give us some stars. Leave a review because that stuff actually does help and I read all the comments. So my last thought for today please remember you deserve better air at home and greater comfort at home. Don't settle for being uncomfortable for your heating air every single month. We are so thankful for having you here in our community and be sure to go deeper with us at simmons1hour.com.
