Calling all ATOT AC experts...

[Proprioceptive]

We rent... and I don't know much, if anything, about how AC units work and the suck, but we noticed something strange going on with the unit outside. Ice is building up on the exterior vents and I can't say I've ever seen that happen before on any of our other units.

Now, is this normal or should I be contacting the landlord about this? What you see in the pics is mild. My wife said that last week there was a solid block of ice entirely around all the vents.:\

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Normally indicates low freon level which indicates a slow leak, call the landlord

 

[zinfamous]

Call landlord. Let him hire the exterminator.

 

[Rubycon]

That's a heatpump in heating mode. Frost on the evaporator is normal. That's why there is a defrost cycle. The defrost cycle engages the reversing valve and stops the outside fan. This turns the evaporator back into a condenser which produces heat. Without circulation with the fan turned off, head pressure soars and heats the coil quickly, melting ice/frost build up.

To prevent cold air blowing through your registers, part of the defrost cycle calls for AUX heat which is electric (strip) heaters. Things get more complex with dual fuel (LPG/NG/Oil+ heat pump) but the concept to keep the outdoor coil ice free is the same.

 

[zokudu]

That's a heatpump in heating mode. Frost on the evaporator is normal. That's why there is a defrost cycle. The defrost cycle engages the reversing valve and stops the outside fan. This turns the evaporator back into a condenser which produces heat. Without circulation with the fan turned off, head pressure soars and heats the coil quickly, melting ice/frost build up.

To prevent cold air blowing through your registers, part of the defrost cycle calls for AUX heat which is electric (strip) heaters. Things get more complex with dual fuel (LPG/NG/Oil+ heat pump) but the concept to keep the outdoor coil ice free is the same.

So....is it normal?

 

[Rubycon]

So....is it normal?

Yes it's normal.

What's not normal is ice building up so thick that the defrost cycle cannot control it. That pic in the OP is an older unit and those designs were more prone to extensive bottom icing particularly in bad weather.

 

[olds]

You calling for heat or AC?

 

[zokudu]

Yes it's normal.

What's not normal is ice building up so thick that the defrost cycle cannot control it. That pic in the OP is an older unit and those designs were more prone to extensive bottom icing particularly in bad weather.

So...Its not normal?

 

[Rubycon]

You calling for heat or AC?

LOL if the condenser is icing like that he has big problems. Oh wait that's a Lennox unit!

 

[zokudu]

LOL if the condenser is icing like that he has big problems. Oh wait that's a Lennox unit!

Alright not normal got it.

 

[Proprioceptive]

Well, I figured it might actually be a freon issue... so I just called the landlord and he's going to have someone come over and look at it. I don't like to have the landlord do anything too drastic considering they're in another city and they're already giving us an awesome deal. He seemed appreciative of the update though. We'll see what the repair guy says.

 

[PsiStar]

Landlords "could" appreciate those who watch the property. Have you considered setting up a internet camera? For your own benefit as well as the l/ls to know who pokes around when you are not there?