A
heat pump, and in particular a
heat pump for heating a
hot water supply is provided with an improved defrost mode. The defrost mode is actuated to remove
frost from an outdoor
evaporator that may accumulate during
cold weather operation. An
algorithm for operation of the defrost mode is developed experimentally by seeking to maximize the
heat transfer provided by the
refrigerant. A
heating system condition is experimentally related to the
heat transfer capacity. One then maximizes the average
heat transfer capacity to determine the optimum
initiation point for the defrost mode. Further, protections are included into the defrost mode. When the
heat pump is utilized to heat hot water, methods are provided to prevent the water that remains in the
heat exchanger from becoming unduly heated. In one method, the water pump may be periodically operated to move the water. In a second method, a control ensures the
discharge pressure of the
refrigerant leaving the compressor is reduced, and that the water pump is not stopped until that reduced temperature falls below a predetermined maximum. The temperature reduction is achieved through a dual control loop wherein a temperature that is too high results in a new desired
discharge pressure. The control achieves the new desired pressure by controlling the expansion device. In another protection feature, as a control determines that the defrost mode is nearing its end, an
evaporator fan is run to remove melted water from the
evaporator coils, and also to ensure the
refrigerant leaving the evaporator does not reach unduly
high pressure or temperatures.