Refrigerant helps move warm air from inside your home to the outdoor environment or vice versa. When the refrigerant levels go down, your heat pump cannot regulate indoor temperatures efficiently. Here are a few signs your heat pump in Charlotte, NC, is low on refrigerant:
Frozen Evaporator Coil
During the warmer months, the refrigerant absorbs heat from your indoor air at the evaporator coil. When the refrigerant levels drop, the amount left cannot absorb sufficient heat. As a result, the refrigerant remains cold, causing the moisture on the evaporator coil to freeze. The frozen moisture coats the evaporator coil, further reducing the ability of the evaporator coil to absorb heat from your indoor air.
Scraping the ice off won’t solve the problem. You’ll need to schedule repair services with a professional to fix heat pump refrigerant leaks.
Heat Pump Running Continuously
Refrigerant leaks reduce the fluid available to transport heat absorbed from your living space to the outdoor environment. As a result, your heat pump struggles to meet your indoor temperature needs.
The system overworks, trying to move as much heat as possible with the little refrigerant left. Running constantly increases your system’s energy consumption and the strain on its components.
Refrigerant leaks also damage the environment and harm human health. Therefore, it’s essential to address refrigerant leaks as soon as you suspect a problem.
Whistling and Gurgling
Ideally, heat pumps operate without much noise. If the refrigerant leaks, you may hear high-pitched whistling or gurgling sounds.
A compressor increases the refrigerant temperature and pressure at different times to facilitate heat absorption and transfer. When the fluid attempts to escape at a high pressure, you’ll hear whistling sounds.
Air bubbles enter the refrigerant lines through the puncture areas. You’ll hear a gurgling sound when the air bubbles mix with the refrigerant.
Call Bradham Comfort Services for professional HVAC services if you detect your heat pump has a refrigerant leak. Our service technicians will respond promptly to fix the leaks and refill the fluid.
Image provided by iStock