When the hot temperatures arrive in Chapel Hill, NC, your heat pump helps you stay cool. If it doesn’t have enough refrigerant, which transfers heat from one place to another, it will struggle to keep up with your demands. Keep reading to learn about four signs that indicate a possible refrigerant leak in your heat pump.
Hissing or Gurgling Noises
Your HVAC system holds refrigerant under high pressure, so if there’s a leak, you might hear a hissing sound as the refrigerant escapes from the piping. Additionally, if air gets into the line as refrigerant leaks out, the air bubbles might make gurgling sounds.
Loss of Cooling
When your heat pump doesn’t have enough refrigerant to do its job properly, it will have trouble keeping your place cool. If you’ve noticed that your home seems too warm or that it takes longer than usual for your HVAC to cool your living areas, you may have a refrigerant leak.
Higher Utility Bills
A heat pump that has to work harder than it should, will consume more energy. This can give you quite a shock when it comes to paying your utility bills.
Frozen Coils
In the summer, the refrigerant in a HVAC system absorbs heat and then sends it outdoors, allowing the system to act as an air conditioner. Without adequate refrigerant, the evaporator coils may not be able to dispel enough heat, causing moisture on the coils to freeze. If you notice frozen condensation on your coils, you may need to have your refrigerant checked.
A heat pump can help you find relief from the heat this summer, but only if it has enough refrigerant to transfer heat from inside your home to the outdoors. If you suspect a refrigerant leak, contact Lee Air Conditioning for a heat pump repair.
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