What To Do When Your Sandhills NC Outdoor HVAC Unit Is Frozen

If you live in Pinehurst, Southern Pines, or Aberdeen, a frozen outdoor HVAC unit in winter can be alarming but it’s more common than many homeowners realize. Most homes in the Sandhills rely on heat pump systems, and ice buildup on the outdoor unit usually signals a performance issue that needs professional attention.

Left unaddressed, a frozen outdoor unit can reduce heating efficiency, drive up energy bills, and cause long-term damage to critical components like the compressor.

Air Comfort Heating and Air will help you understand why this happens and what to do next can help you protect your comfort and your system.

Why Outdoor HVAC Units Freeze in the Sandhills Region

Heat Pumps and Winter Operation

Heat pumps don’t create heat the way furnaces do. Instead, they extract heat from the outdoor air and transfer it indoors. Even during cold Sandhills winters, there is still usable heat in the air but this process naturally creates condensation on the outdoor coil.

When temperatures drop near or below freezing, that moisture can turn into ice.

Most Common Cause: Defrost Problems

Heat pumps rely on a defrost cycle to melt ice that forms on the outdoor coil. If the defrost system isn’t working properly, ice can accumulate quickly.

Defrost problems often include:

• Faulty defrost thermostat or sensor
• Malfunctioning defrost control board
• Defective reversing valve

Other Contributing Causes

While defrost issues are usually the main culprit, freezing can also be caused by:

• Restricted airflow (dirty filters, blocked vents, or coils)
• Low refrigerant levels or leaks
• Malfunctioning fans or blowers

What Homeowners Should (and Shouldn’t) Do

What you can do safely:

• Turn the system off to prevent further damage

• Check for obvious debris around the outdoor unit

• Make sure the unit is not buried by leaves, pine straw, or mulch

What to avoid:

• Do not chip ice with tools

• Do not pour hot water on the unit

• Do not continue running the system while frozen

Improper thawing can damage the coil, fan blades, or refrigerant lines.

Why Frozen Units Are Especially Risky in Moore County Homes

Homes in the Sandhills often experience:

• High winter humidity, which accelerates ice formation

• Sandy soil, increasing debris intake around outdoor units

• Mild daytime temperatures and cold nights, causing repeated freeze-thaw cycles

These conditions make proper system calibration, airflow balance, and defrost timing especially important for reliable winter performance.

Don’t Risk a Costly Winter Breakdown

If your outdoor HVAC unit is frozen, fast professional service matters.

Call Air Comfort Heating & Air at 910-695-8241 today to get your system back up and running or contact us online with any questions. Keeping your heat pump protected now can help you avoid expensive repairs later in the winter season.