Tags: North Port, North Port Heat Pump Repair

As summer slowly comes to a close, it’s important that you make sure your heat pump is ready for the coming heating season. Part of keeping your heat pump in good condition all year-round is making sure it’s refrigerant system is intact. Read on to find out more about how your heat pump uses refrigerant, and when more is required.

Refrigerant

Refrigerant is a broad term for a heat transfer fluid the system uses during operation. The heat pump evaporates and condenses refrigerant to move heat from one place to another. In cooling mode, the inside part of the heat pump evaporates refrigerant to absorb thermal energy from the air in the ducts. The refrigerant gas then travels down the refrigerant line to the condenser coil outside. It is condensed back into a liquid, releasing the collected heat outside of the home. The refrigerant then travels back to the evaporator coil inside, and the cycle continues.

The heat pump does not actually consume refrigerant during this process. It simply recycles it back and forth between the two units. The initial amount of refrigerant the system gets when it is first installed should be enough to last for its entire service life.

Leaks

The one time that the system should need more refrigerant is if a leak develops in the refrigerant line. A refrigerant leak will slowly drain the heat pump of the fluid that it needs to operate. This causes a steady drop in output, followed by multiple malfunctions and a full breakdown. If you notice fluid dripping from your heat pump, call for repairs as soon as possible. The leak will need to be sealed and the lost refrigerant replaced.

Cliffs Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. offers heat pump repair services throughout Port Charlotte, FL. Call today to schedule an appointment.