There are some types of leaks that are easy to detect. When your car’s tire is leaking air, a sensor will alert you that the tire pressure is low. If you have a leaky faucet, you’ll see it and hear it as it makes a recognizable “drip drip drip” noise.
Some homeowners think that their heat pump losing refrigerant is a normal occurrence and might put off calling for service. In fact, the moment you suspect a refrigerant leak is the moment you should call us. You wouldn’t put off fixing a leaky tire on your car or leaks in your pipes, would you?
Unfortunately, detecting a refrigerant leak in your heat pump isn’t as easy to detect as a tire going flat. That’s why you need to know the signs and symptoms that your heat pump is leaking refrigerant.
Not only is a refrigerant leak potentially detrimental to your health and the environment, but a loss of refrigerant will also cause all sorts of issues for your heat pump. Let’s go over the signs so you’ll know when to call for heat pump repair in Winder, GA.
The Problem with Refrigerant Leaks
Refrigerant leaks are a fairly common issue that heat pumps experience. It doesn’t matter if your heat pump is new or old. Wear and tear will take their toll on a heat pump and sometimes that means the refrigerant line and connection points can get worn down, leading to leaks.
The most important thing to realize about refrigerant leaks is that refrigerant is harmful to your health and the environment. It’s not something that you want steadily leaking into your home and the air you breathe.
Because you can’t visibly see refrigerant and because it’s odorless, you won’t know you’re being exposed to it until you experience symptoms of refrigerant poisoning. These symptoms include headaches, difficulty breathing, coughing, nausea, vomiting, and skin and eye irritation.
How Do Refrigerant Leaks Affect My Heat Pump?
Your heat pump requires refrigerant to run effectively. When a heat pump develops a leak, you’ll notice the following issues with your heat pump.
- Reduced heating or cooling: Depending on how severe the leak is, you’ll notice your heat pump isn’t heating or cooling your home as well.
- Increased energy use: A loss of refrigerant forces your heat pump to work harder which will result in an increase in energy use.
- Icy evaporator coil: Refrigerant leaks can cause the development of ice on the evaporator.
- Uneven heating or cooling: This is another sign your heat pump is struggling to do its job.
Signs of a Refrigerant Leak
Knowing the symptoms of a refrigerant leak is vital so you can call us for service as soon as possible.
- It’s making strange noises: A refrigerant leak can result in hissing or bubbling sounds when you run the heat pump.
- Increased energy bills: It only makes sense that as your heat pump struggles to perform, your energy bills will increase.
- Short cycling: Without enough refrigerant, your heat pump will get to the point that it can’t complete a heating or cooling cycle.
Bringing Comfort to America, One Home at a Time. Contact American Comfort Heating and Cooling to schedule heat pump services.
