A well-functioning heat pump is crucial to maintaining proper air conditioner function. This becomes especially important as it gets hotter during the summer in Caroline, VA. If you notice any of these warning signs, chances are something is wrong with your heat pump:
Ice Formation
Sometimes your heat pump may develop a leak in the refrigerant lines. If this happens, the evaporator coil won’t be able to absorb heat as well. This is the reason ice will build up on the system and a clear sign that refrigerant levels are low.
Strange Sounds
Because leaks can cause air to get inside the refrigerant line, the resulting air bubbles will make a gurgling sound. This most often indicates a refrigerant leak in its advanced stages, so schedule repairs as soon as possible.
Poor Performance
A spike in electrical costs may be an indication that your system is leaking refrigerant. Low refrigerant levels cause the system to work harder to do its job, creating unusually high cooling costs. The heat pump compressor is especially susceptible to this, and it’s often accompanied by a decrease in cooling ability.
Short-Cycling Heat Pump
When refrigerant leaks out of the heat pump, it interrupts the normal loop of the system that cools the air. This results in impaired cooling. The system will work harder and start short cycling, which is when the heat pump starts and stops more quickly than usual.
Increased Time to Cool
Because refrigerant is what helps the air conditioner cool your home, too little of it will make your system less efficient. This often shows up in the form of longer cooling times, and in many cases, there can be a lack of cool air in general.
If you think your HVAC system is low on refrigerant, it’s time to have it checked before the problem gets worse. Get in touch with our professional team at Custom/Design Heating & Air Conditioning for anything from major installations and repairs to preventive maintenance.
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