Clear snow and ice from hydronic heat pump outdoor unit

Why It Matters

A heat pump's outdoor unit keeps running through winter. Snow drifts and ice buildup block airflow and can damage the fan or coil if the unit runs while obstructed.

How to Do It

1. After each snowfall, walk to the outdoor unit and assess how much snow or ice has accumulated around and on top of it.
2. Push or sweep drifted snow away from all four sides of the unit by hand to restore clearance around the cabinet.
3. Knock loose ice off the top and sides of the unit by hand.
4. Avoid chipping directly at the coil fins; a thin layer of ice left on the coil will clear on its own during the heat pump's automatic defrost cycle.

Related Tasks

• Bleed radiators or in-floor loops Once a year
• Check hydronic system water pressure Once a year
• Clean hydronic heat pump outdoor unit Once a year
• Schedule hydronic heat pump tune-up Once a year