How to Know if your Heater is Low on Refrigerant

Do you know if your heater is already low on refrigerant? The refrigerant is a chemical that your heating system uses to heat your home in the winter or cool your home in the summer. If your system is low on refrigerant, then your family won’t feel warm and comfortable in the cold weather.

To know if your heating system is low on refrigerant, read this three-minute blog we wrote for you.

Ice Buildup

Ice may begin to develop over your heat pump’s evaporator coil. Heat absorption is the refrigerant’s main job; that’s why the lack of refrigerant will hamper the evaporator’s coil ability to absorb the heat. It will also cause the moisture on the evaporator coil to freeze later on. In this case, you need to hire an HVAC contractor to seal the leak and add more refrigerant.

Heat Pump Leak

The refrigerant doesn’t dissolve during its operation even though your heat pump uses refrigerant to cool or heat a home. Instead, the system changes the refrigerant from liquid to gas and vice versa. Also, the level of refrigerant shouldn’t go lower with time. It’s the leaks that cause your heating system to lose the refrigerant.

Inefficient Performance

Low refrigerant can cause extra stress to the components of your heat pump. The pressure will be too excessive for your system’s compressor to handle. If you notice a significant increase in your energy bill, then a low refrigerant level may be the culprit.

Weird Sounds

It’s common to assume that strange sounds from your heating system may indicate issues. Some sounds indicate a particular problem in its components. If you hear loud gurgling noise, it may be pointing to a refrigerant leak in your system. These sounds are due to air bubbles produced when the refrigerant flows out. We recommend hiring an expert to help fix this issue.

Pooling Liquid

Simple maintenance consists of visual inspection of your equipment. If you see that there’s no water source near your system and you see pooling liquid around it, you might have a refrigerant leak. You should contact your trusted HVAC technician to fix it for you.

Is your heating system low on refrigerant? At GO Heating, Air & Plumbing, we will gladly take care of it for you in your Plano, TX home. Our experts will provide the best service appropriate for your heating needs. Contact us today to set up a schedule!