Why is my outdoor unit up on a stand?
Mostly for winter. A heat pump melts the ice off its own coil several times on a cold day, and that water has to drain somewhere. Up on a stand, it drips away. On the ground, it can freeze into a block of ice under the unit.
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From one of our jobs
A two fan outdoor unit on a raised stand
Right now: Look under your outdoor unit. If ice builds up under it every winter, it should be raised.
Snow is the other reason. A unit sitting low can get buried by a drift or a shoveled pile, and a coil packed with snow can’t pull air. A stand also keeps it out of standing water, mulch and grass clippings, and up where a tech can reach the panels.
If yours sits right on the ground and you see thick ice building under it every winter, a stand or a taller pad is a small job. Ice that covers the whole coil and never clears is a different problem, usually a defrost part, and worth a call.
Quick answers
What people ask about outdoor units on stands
Why do heat pumps sit on stands?
So the water from defrost can drain away instead of freezing under the unit, and so snow can’t bury the coil.
Is ice on my heat pump normal in winter?
A thin frost that clears every so often is normal. A thick block of ice that never clears is not: switch to emergency heat and call.
Does an AC need to be on a stand?
An AC that only runs in summer usually sits fine on a pad. Heat pumps in snowy spots gain the most from being raised.
Can you raise an outdoor unit that’s already installed?
Yes. The unit is lifted onto a stand and the copper lines and wiring are adjusted to fit, usually in one visit.
Who services heat pumps in Northern Virginia?
Call SwiftPro at (703) 997-9757. We tune up, repair and replace heat pumps across Northern Virginia.
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SwiftPro Heating, Cooling & Plumbing
4230 Lafayette Center Dr N, Chantilly, VA 20151
44679 Endicott Dr, Suite 211, Ashburn, VA 20147
SwiftPro Plumber & Water Heaters
4200 Lafayette Center Dr, Suite N, Chantilly, VA 20151
Virginia Class A contractor license #2705192276