Home emergency playbook
Heat pump iced over and no heat
Conservative first steps for homeowners before cleanup, repair, or contractor dispatch. When safety is uncertain, leave and call first.
Immediate steps
- Switch the thermostat to emergency or auxiliary heat if the system has that mode and indoor temperature is dropping.
- Turn the heat pump off to stop the outdoor fan from grinding against ice.
- Replace a dirty return filter and clear snow, leaves, or blocked airflow around the outdoor unit from ground level.
- Call a heat-pump technician if ice covers the cabinet, returns after thawing, or no backup heat is available.
Do not do this
- Do not chip ice from coils, fan blades, refrigerant lines, or the cabinet.
- Do not pour boiling water on the outdoor unit.
- Do not keep running normal heat mode while the fan is stuck or scraping.
Who to call
- Call 911 if anyone is injured, trapped, in medical distress, or if fire, shock, collapse, or active crime is present.
- Call the utility emergency line before private repair when gas, electric service, public water, sewer main, or buried lines may be involved.
- Call a qualified heat pump technician after immediate life-safety and utility hazards are controlled.
Damage mitigation
- Place towels indoors if melting ice at the air handler or line set is dripping.
- Monitor room temperature and move vulnerable occupants if auxiliary heat cannot hold.
- Take photos showing ice pattern, thermostat mode, and outdoor obstructions before thawing.
Prevention
- Keep shrubs, snowdrifts, and leaves clear of the outdoor unit's airflow path.
- Change filters before airflow drops enough to affect defrost performance.
- Have refrigerant charge, sensors, and defrost controls checked before winter.
Typical cost band
Usually moderate for controls or ignition repairs; high for major equipment replacement during extreme weather.
Insurance note
Heat-pump icing is usually equipment service, but resulting water damage from indoor coil thawing should be photographed and tied to the technician's diagnosis.
Related ProFix resources
Heat Pump Installer emergency guideTrade-specific dispatch, utility-first, and after-hours cost guidance.Troubleshooting encyclopediaSymptoms, maintenance intervals, contracts, and warranty norms.National FAQHiring, licensing, scams, permits, and DIY boundaries.Cost calculatorPlan the permanent repair after the emergency is controlled.