How to Tell If Your Heat Pump Needs More Refrigerant

The performance of your heat pump is dependent upon its refrigerant levels. Like air conditioning systems, heat pumps rely on refrigerant to condition the air inside of homes and buildings. They use refrigerant – typically R410A – to move heat between an indoor coil and an outdoor coil.

Different types of heat pumps require different amounts of refrigerant. Depending on the British Thermal Units (BTUs) and capacity, for instance, your heat pump may require anywhere from 5 to 15 pounds of refrigerant. If it’s low on refrigerant, you may notice the following symptoms.

Loss of Heating and Cooling Power

If your heat pump doesn’t heat and cool your home like it used to, it may need more refrigerant. Heat pumps need refrigerant to condition the indoor air. When in cooling mode, your heat pump will absorb heat from your home’s interior, which it will transfer to your home’s exterior via refrigerant. When in heating mode, your heat pump will perform this same process but in reverse.

Regardless, low refrigerant levels will typically manifest as a loss of heating and cooling power. Your heat pump won’t produce the same cold air in cooling mode, nor will it produce the same warm air in heating mode.

Frozen Coils or Refrigerant Lines

Frozen coils or refrigerant lines may indicate the need for more refrigerant. The refrigerant’s main job is to absorb heat so that it can be transferred to a different space (an indoor or outdoor coil). As your heat pump’s refrigerant levels begin to drop, moisture may enter the coils or lines where it causes them to freeze.

Unusual Noises

Do you hear unusual noises when running your heat pump? The problem could be attributed to low refrigerant levels.

Low refrigerant levels means your heat pump has a leak. Under normal circumstances, heat pumps shouldn’t lose any meaningful amount of refrigerant; they will retain their refrigerant levels. But leaks can occur that allow refrigerant to escape. If your heat pump has a leak, you may hear unusual noises originating from the coils or lines. Hissing and gurgling noises are common with leaks.

If you believe your heat pump is low on refrigerant, contact a heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) technician today for assistance. An HVAC technician can check the refrigerant levels, and if they are low, the technician can charge it.