10/17/2026
🔥❄️ DON’T PANIC YOUR HEAT PUMP MIGHT NOT BE BROKEN!
With cooler weather moving in, we’re starting to switch those thermostats over to HEAT. Here are a few things you may notice that can be completely normal:
💨 “My outdoor unit is smoking!”
It may actually be steam. Heat pumps periodically go into a defrost cycle to melt frost or ice off the outdoor coil. When that happens, you can see a big cloud of steam coming off the unit,just like in this video!
🔊 “It just made a really loud noise!”
During defrost, you may hear a whoosh, hiss, or change in sound as the system switches modes. That can be normal too.
👃 “Why does my heat smell weird?”
The first time your heat runs for the season, especially when the auxiliary/electric heat strips come on, you may notice a dusty or burning smell for a short period as accumulated dust heats up.
🧊 “There’s frost on my outdoor unit!”
A little frost can be normal in heating mode. The system should periodically defrost itself. A unit that stays completely iced over is NOT normal and should be checked.
So if you see a cloud coming from your outdoor unit this winter, don’t automatically assume it’s on fire! 😂 It may just be doing exactly what it was designed to do.
And if something doesn’t seem right, give us a call and we’ll be happy to check it out!
📞 205-704-9470
📧 [email protected]
🔥❄️ OnPoint Heating & Air
🏠 Locally Owned & Operated
✅ Licensed & Insured