When is it Time to Add Refrigerant to my Heat Pump?

There are several common problems that arise when heat pumps begin running low on refrigerant. If you suspect your’s is low on refrigerant, you should contact us to schedule a service.

Low refrigerant is frequently caused by a refrigerant leak, which is a serious issue that needs to be professionally remedied to prevent further damage. Low refrigerant will cause your heat pump to run less efficiently, which will result in you paying more than you should for your heating and cooling.

Short Cycling: What Is It and How Do I Prevent It?

A heat pump “short cycles” when it turns off and on more frequently than it should. If you notice an abnormal pattern of how your ductless heat pump is running, call a mini-split heat pump specialist.

How will you know if your heat pump is short cycling? There’s a high probability that you will notice something is wrong if you use your heat pump frequently. People tend to get used to the rhythm and frequency of their heat pump. If something seems off and you haven’t scheduled maintenance in a while, now is the time to call Valley Home Services: (800) 316-7815.

Do You Have Poor Heating or Cooling Performance?

Subpar or non-existent heating or cooling performance might be one of the first refrigerant leak indicators that you notice. If it seems like your heat pump’s performance is degrading, or it isn’t heating or cooling as rapidly as it usually does, it is time to call a ductless heat pump specialist.

There are potentially benign reasons for changes in performance, and some ductless heat pump problems are unrelated to refrigerant leaks. If the temperature outside drops significantly, your heat pump may need to run longer or more often to maintain the same temperature in your room. It’s also possible a dirty filter or some other issue is to blame.

Has the Indoor Humidity Increased in Your Home?

Your ductless heat pump pulls moisture out of the air. If you notice condensation, moisture, or strangely high humidity levels in the room, low refrigerant may be the cause.

Have You Experienced Changes in Your Energy Bills?

If you haven’t changed your normal heating and cooling habits but your utility costs have suddenly increased, there may be an issue with your heat pump.

Make sure to thoroughly investigate any unexplained changes in your energy bills. If you haven’t done anything differently over the past month, it could be attributable to a problem with your heat pump or another appliance. The sooner you schedule a service check for your heat pump, the faster you can get the problem addressed to get your bills back to normal.

Are You Noticing Excessive Icing?

Icing can be a symptom of a refrigerant leak, but it’s also something that naturally occurs when heat pumps are in heating mode in below-freezing temperatures. Your heat pump might not be suffering any refrigerant leak but still have some ice next to it after a cold Maine night. If you notice more frequent freezing than usual or that your heat pump is going into defrost mode more often than normal, it could be a sign that your evaporator coil is struggling to absorb adequate heat from the air, which can be caused by a refrigerant leak.

Can I Fix My Own Heat Pump Refrigerant Leak?

You’ll generally need the assistance of a heat pump professional to both fix a refrigerant leak and add more refrigerant to your ductless heat pump. Locating the leak, repairing it, and topping off refrigerant levels require tools and materials the average household doesn’t have. DIY or quick-fix solutions could also void your heat pump’s warranty.

It’s important to note that the symptoms listed above could be indicative of problems other than refrigerant leaks. For example, a clogged air filter is an issue you can address on your own that may cause some of the same types of issues.

Try cleaning your filter before you schedule an appointment. If that doesn’t address the problem, the team at Valley Home Services is ready to come out, diagnose and repair whatever problems are affecting your ductless heat pump.

Call us at (800) 316-7815 to schedule your appointment.