Heat Pump Problems: Refrigerant Leaks
Heat pumps are energy-efficient appliances that College Grove TN residents use to keep their homes comfortable for most of the year. Refrigerant is the essence of what makes a heat pump work — and when your HVAC system develops a refrigerant leak, it can create some significant issues requiring immediate heat pump repair.
What refrigerant does
Refrigerant is a chemical compound that moves heat through the lines and coils of a heat pump. It alternates between gas and liquid states during the act of heat exchange, where the air is either cooled or heated depending on the season. Each heat pump needs a certain amount of refrigerant — the minimum varies according to what kind of pump you have — to maintain normal operations.
What happens when refrigerant leaks
When there's not enough refrigerant in a heat pump system, several problems can occur. One of the most common is the formation of ice around the evaporator coil because there's not enough refrigerant to absorb heat. Eventually, this will result in the heat exchange completely failing.
Low refrigerant levels also put an undue amount of stress on your HVAC system, especially the compressor. This leads to system-wide tension that can ultimately result in expensive heat pump repair.
How refrigerant leaks
Leaks in a heat pump line can be very hard to diagnose. They’re most often found at connecting points — like the compressor — or small fissures along the heat pump line. Signs of leaking refrigerant in a heat pump include:
- Icing along the evaporator coil
- Inconsistent house temperatures
- Ineffective thermostat control
- Frequent starting and stopping of your heat pump’s compressor (known as “short-cycling”
Refrigerant leak and heat pump repair in College Grove TN
Regular maintenance is a crucial step in keeping your heat pump operational, and Mid-Tenn Air Conditioning & Heat is one of Tennessee’s most trusted sources for heat pump repair. Call us to schedule service.