If your Wedgefield, FL home relies on a heat pump and it starts acting strangely, it’s natural for you to wonder why. One of the more serious reasons it can malfunction is a loss of refrigerant. Here are some key signs that indicate a refrigerant leak in your heat pump.
Hissing Noises
Your heat pump’s refrigerant system is a closed loop and runs under pressure. When a leak occurs, the pressurized refrigerant can make a noise as it escapes. Typically, it will sound like hissing, especially if the leak affects the high-pressure side of the system.
If you hear a hissing sound from any part of your heat pump, you should turn it off immediately. The sound means that there’s a large refrigerant leak that won’t take long to depressurize the system. Running your system with low refrigerant levels can destroy its compressor, making it necessary to get a heat pump replacement.
Frozen Evaporator Coil
Although it may sound counterintuitive, a loss of refrigerant can make your heat pump’s operating temperature drop. If it drops low enough, it can cause a frozen evaporator coil. In heating mode, that’s your outdoor coil, and in cooling mode, it’s the indoor one.
If you suspect a frozen coil in cooling mode, check your system’s air filter first. If it becomes too dirty, the lack of airflow can also lead to a frozen coil. On the contrary, your outdoor coil would only ordinarily risk freezing in frigid weather, which rarely happens here.
Sudden Energy Bill Spike
One of the most significant advantages heat pumps offer is their extremely high energy efficiency. If you notice a sudden spike in your energy bills, an HVAC malfunction is a likely cause. Few types of malfunctions, other than a refrigerant leak, can produce a sudden and precipitous drop in efficiency.
If you think the heat pump in your Wedgefield, FL home has a refrigerant leak, don’t ignore it. Contact E.C. Waters for a heat pump repair appointment immediately.
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