Experiments were performed to verify if performance and characteristic curves obtained from the temperature differential defrosting method, where surface temperature is measured to judge defrosting condition, can be reproduced by the photoelectric technology where defrosting condition is judged by photoelectric sensors. The output voltage of a phototransistor and heating capacity, power consumption, and surface temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger are compared. The results showed that the photoelectric sensors can be used as a defrost control device. On-off control timings in temperature differential defrosting method are in good agreement with those predicted by the high and low threshold output voltages of the photoelectric sensor.