Heat pumps are a common HVAC system seen in many households across the UK. In fact, with people switching over to sustainable technology, heat pumps have become the go-to for many due to the various benefits it provides.
Since the working of this technology is similar to that of a refrigerator, conducting a heat pump refrigerant check is essential to keep it functioning smoothly. This is primarily because refrigerant ensures that the temperature in your home is cool during summer and warm during winter while also facilitating the efficient working of the heat pump.
However, many people often get confused about when to check the refrigerant and the tell-tale signs they should keep an eye out for. If this is the case for you as well, we’ve got you covered.
We’ve put together a short guide on the different signs that point out when you need to do a heat pump refrigerant check.
So without further ado, let’s take a look!
1. Leaks In The Pump
Every heat pump requires a set amount of refrigerant, specific to the model type, to do its job properly. That said, even though a heat pump uses refrigerant for heating or cooling your home, the refrigerant itself doesn’t dissipate during daily functioning.
The system of the pump itself changes the refrigerant from liquid to gas and vice versa. This means that the level of heat pump refrigerant charge should remain stable and mustn’t change drastically over time.
However, with leaks in the pump, your HVAC system is sure to lose refrigerant making a heat pump refrigerant check important. Additionally, since these leaks are usually located at the connector points, regular maintenance can prevent them from affecting your heat pump performance.
2. Ice Developing On The Heat Pump
Building on the previous point, leaks in the heat pump by itself have several other consequences that affect the system’s overall functionality. One of the common heat pump problems that people come across is icing.
Heat absorption is the refrigerant’s main purpose and with the absence of this, a heat pump will not be able to produce the required amount of heat. This will further cause a hindrance in the evaporator coils’ ability to heat, thereby causing ice to form.
Moreover, since simply scraping off the ice or waiting for it to melt won’t work, you’ll need to be regular with your heat pump refrigerant check and ask your HVAC contractor to add more refrigerant whenever required.
3. Inefficient Heat Performance
One major sign that your heat pump is low on refrigerant is a noticeable and inefficient heat pump performance. Low refrigerant places extra stress on the other components of the pump, even more excessively with the compressor.
Although one may come across certain damages resulting from various external issues, if there’s a constant rise in the number of electrical costs, there’s a high chance that the system may be low on refrigerant.
As we know that this can further raise several issues, asking your heating expert or technician to regularly check up on the different elements of your heat pump from time to time can keep them well-maintained and last better for the long run.
To Sum Up
Every HVAC system has a number of things and components that need to be looked after to ensure that the system stays in good condition at all times.
Whether it is your biomass boiler, solar panels or heat pumps, a renewable technology expert like JL Phillips can take care of all your heating and cooling needs.
Apart from this, you need to be regular with maintenance and check-ups to keep the system running smoothly for a long period of time.
Contact JL Phillips For Expert Heat Pump Installation And Maintenance Services
Now that you’re aware of the important signs that highlight the need for a heat pump refrigerant check, ensure that you’re keeping an eye on it and seeking help whenever required.
Moreover, if there are any other heat pump or HVAC system related problems, we at JL Phillips would be more than happy to help you.
With our vast experience and expertise in providing sustainable technologies for domestic and commercial spaces, we know all there is to know when it comes to these systems.
To find out more about our services and maintenance work, get in touch with us today!
