You really don’t want to have your heat pump break down on you in the middle of summer. At least, we assume you don’t. Part of keeping your heat pump in good condition over the next couple of months is going to be keeping an eye out for warning signs of a problem. Summer is the most stressful time of year for many climate control systems, which makes various issues much more likely to occur. Have a look at some of the common heat pump problems you should watch for this summer.
Refrigerant Leaks
Refrigerant is a general term for the heat transfer fluid that your heat pump uses to exchange heat between your home and the outdoors. The system evaporates and condenses refrigerant between its two units to absorb and vent heat. If a leak develops in the refrigerant line, the output capacity of the system will drop as the refrigerant level drops. Eventually, the refrigerant supply will fall low enough that the heat pump will break down entirely. Call for repairs if you notice fluid dripping from your heat pump.
Air Handler Friction
The air handler is the part of your heat pump that circulates air through the ducts while the system is operating. Inside the air handler motor are a number of oiled bearings, which serve to reduce friction on the part. These bearings wear out the more you use the heat pump, and eventually they will begin to fail. This increases the friction on the air handler motor, eventually causing it to overheat and burn out. If you notice your heat pump making grinding noises while it’s on, that often means that the air handler bearings need to be replaced.
Sunset Air provides heat pump repair services throughout Olympia, WA. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experts.
