When a defrosting requiring signal is outputted, the opening of a motor-operated expansion valve (5) is fully closed in a heating cycle so that refrigerant is recovered into a receiver (4). In addition, when the defrosting requiring signal is outputted, an indoor fan (6f) is deactivated so that heat is stored. Further, when the completion of the recovery of refrigerant is determined, defrosting operation is executed. The recovery of refrigerant is completed when an outdoor heat-exchange temperature Tc at the present time drops to or below a specified temperature, when the outdoor heat-exchange temperature Tc at the present time drops to or more than a specified difference from a reference outdoor heat-exchange temperature Tcl at the time before the motor-operated expansion valve (5) is fully closed, when an indoor heat-exchange temperature Te at the present time rises to or above a specified temperature, or when a set time passes.