I noticed on both my Gree and Midea mini splits that they never seem to have any ice buildup on the middle coils and top coils. I have also observed this on other units in passing. Is this some sort of feature to slightly increase efficiency or not cut off airflow completely to the fan? I am guessing they are sending the warmer refrigerant returning to the outdoor condeser through these sections on purpose?

I put up a ring camera to see how it performed in bad weather like todays freezing rain here in CT. I am finding defrost cycles seem to significantly reduce efficiency under certain outdoor conditions. They also seem to put alot of cycling on the units. I have been using my woodstove instead under heavy defrost conditions.