ᐅ Are icicles on an air source heat pump normal?

Hello forum,

Today, I saw an icicle on our heat pump for the first time.

Is this normal?
At warmer temperatures, there was some condensation there before, and our site manager said it was quite normal for it to drip occasionally.

Maybe someone can also explain what is inside the three pipes. Cold water, hot water, and wastewater (where the icicle is hanging)? See photo.

Supply and return lines, as well as condensate. It seems this area is not completely sealed...

Bookstar schrieb:
Supply and return lines, and of course condensate. It seems this area isn’t fully sealed...

I think so too. Otherwise, there would be icicles across the entire width, not just exactly at the joint.

I would see it the same way, it’s best to take a closer look to find out what might be causing it and whether something might be leaking – but no need to panic, it probably isn’t anything serious. Checking it out helps.

sco0ter schrieb:
Hello forum,[...]? See photo.

It looks like the condensate drain.
It’s not serious, but pipes are meant to be leak-proof. Obviously, this one is not.

The fins of your heat pump are cold, so the moisture in the outside air condenses on the fins, drips down, collects at the base of the unit, and then drains out through this pipe. One of the connections is leaking, and water is escaping from the pipe and freezing into icicles.