Heat pump defrost control

For a heat pump system having an exterior coil, an exterior fan and fan motor, an interior blower, a reversing valve, and an auxiliary heater element, a method for defrosting the exterior coil comprising the steps:

• a. initiating a defrost cycle;
• b. activating the auxiliary heating element for a period of time during the period of time the auxiliary heater element is activated, operating the interior blow to pass air over the auxiliary heater element;
• c. deactivating the exterior fan motor and shifting the reversing valve to end the defrost cycle;
• and
• d. shifting the reversing valve, activating the exterior fan and fan motor, and deactivating the auxiliary heater element:

A heat pump system comprising:

• at least one exterior coil;
• an exterior fan and fan motor;
• an interior blower;
• a reversing valve;
• an auxiliary heater unit;
• and
• a control unit associated with the exterior fan and fan motor, reversing valve, and auxiliary heating unit, the control unit configured to defrost the at least one coil by activating the auxiliary heating unit for a period of time prior to shifting the reversing valve and prior to deactivating the fan and fan motor.