Heat pumps are an integral component of the heating and cooling process in your home. When heat pumps begin leaking water, it shouldn’t be a huge cause for concern, but it should be dealt with swiftly. The heat pump system is responsible for filtering heat in and out of your home during the cold months and during the hot summers using refrigerant. If you’ve noticed that water is leaking from your heat pump, Keep reading; we’ll be going over the common causes of a leaking heat pump:

How Big of a Problem Is a Leaking Heat Pump?

Of all the air conditioning problems you could be dealing with, a leaking heat pump isn’t the worst. It’s quite a common issue that trained technicians can easily fix. 

Contact a professional as soon as you notice the leak to ensure you don’t have to deal with water damage or mold growth. If you leave a leaking heat pump as is, water can leak into the unit and cause component wear or electrical problems. A short-circuited unit will be a much higher cost to deal with than a simple heat pump leak. 

Common Causes 

Dirty Evaporator Coil 

In a unit, the cold evaporator coil is responsible for collecting water in the air through condensation. Once the water is collected, the evaporator coil drains the water into a drain pan. Over time, the evaporator coil can become dirty, and water won’t be able to pass through it properly. If the water isn’t passing through the coil, the excess water can accumulate and begin to leak. 

Leaking issues can be avoided by getting regular tune-ups from a trained professional. In some cases, you might need to have your heat pump cleaned if the evaporator coils are dirty. 

Frozen Evaporator Coil

If the refrigerant in your unit is low, it can lead to a frozen evaporator coil. Frozen evaporator coils can lead to ice formation on the inner parts of the heat pump system. You may notice that the heat pump seems to be leaking because the ice on the coils is melting. You may also receive an unusually high energy bill because your unit will be working extra hard to produce the temperature settings that your home requires. 

A professional can service your system and remove the ice properly without damaging the components of the heat pump. They can also ensure your refrigerant levels are appropriately leveled. This way, you won’t end up with a frozen evaporator coil again. It’s recommended that your heat pump should receive maintenance twice a year if it’s the primary heating and cooling system in your home. 

Clogged Condensate Drain

The built-in draining system is necessary to get rid of the water that’s collected from the air. The drain can accumulate dirt, dust, and other debris. When the condensate drain system is clogged, it can prevent water from properly draining. Much like with the dirty coils, water can accumulate in the unit and overflow. A clogged condensate drain creates puddles of water around your heat pump. 

Heat pump tune-ups are a great way to ensure this problem doesn’t become a regular occurrence. It’s also important to have your heat pump regularly inspected to ensure that mold isn’t growing inside from the condensation. 

Cracked Overflow Pan

A heat pump leak can arise from a crack in the overflow pan. Much like an air conditioner, a heat pump pulls the humidity from the air as part of the cooling process. The humidity collects on the coils within the unit and drips into the overflow pan or drain. Over a duration of time, the pan may corrode and crack. A cracked condensate pan will leave you with water leaking onto the floor and potentially leaking into the heat pump. 

Every homeowner should have their heat pumps in San Marcos looked at every year to ensure there aren’t any water leaks. 

Poor Maintenance 

A lack of heat pump maintenance can lead to water leaking into the system or onto the floor. If you neglect to have your heat pump regularly serviced, you may experience more issues. A technician can perform proper check-ups and tune-ups to ensure the heat pump continues working properly. During these inspections, they can identify potential issues and repair them before they worsen. 

Do you need assistance with your air conditioning unit? Contact Comfy Air and receive the most out of our quality services. Our technicians are knowledgeable in the area of heating and AC repair in San Marcos. Don’t neglect the one thing keeping you warm or cool throughout the year. Book our HVAC services today!