In the present study, the performance characteristics of the heat pump chiller under heating conditions were experimentally investigated. Capacity, input power and COP under overload, frost and defrost conditions were obtained. The experimental data for the heat pump chiller were measured using the air-enthalpy calorimeter and the constant temperature water bath. At overload condition, the heating capacity and COP increase about 25.7% and 19.1%, respectively. The variations of the evaporator, the compressor outlet and the condenser temperature were obtained under frost and defrost conditions. The frost and defrost period of the heat exchanger decreases about 36.0~56.1%.