What is the industry standard for the maximum duration of a defrost cycle in heat pumps?

The industry standard for the maximum duration of a defrost cycle in heat pumps is 10 minutes. This time frame is established to efficiently remove frost accumulation from the outdoor coil of the heat pump. During the defrost cycle, the system temporarily reverses the refrigeration cycle to warm the coil and melt any ice or frost buildup. If the defrost cycle runs for too long, it can negatively impact the efficiency of the heat pump, leading to increased energy consumption and possible damage to components. Therefore, keeping defrost cycles to a maximum of 10 minutes ensures that the heat pump can maintain optimal performance while effectively addressing issues of frost buildup.