Don’t let a leaking heat pump damage your Hurricane, UT, home. Trust Iron Mountain Plumbing to pinpoint the problem quickly and provide effective solutions.
Heat pumps keep gaining popularity among property owners who want a highly efficient and cost-effective way to heat or cool their homes. Though heat pumps work efficiently and with minimal issues most of the time, yours may still experience leaks.
As top-rated and licensed plumbers in Hurricane, Utah, we at Iron Mountain Plumbing often receive the question, “Why is my heat pump leaking water inside?” Let’s explore how a heat pump works, the reasons your heat pump might leak, and how to address various issues.
How a Heat Pump Works
To understand the potential reasons for heat pump leaks, it’s important to know how heat pumps work.
Your heat pump uses a compressor and refrigerant gas to move heat in or out of a room or space, depending on whether you need heating or cooling. In cooling mode, the heat pump extracts heat from inside your Hurricane home and expels it outdoors.
As warm air passes over the indoor evaporator coils, the refrigerant inside absorbs the heat and travels to the outdoor unit, where the fan blows the hot air away. Once the refrigerant cools down, it circulates back to the indoor unit to absorb more heat.
In winter, the heat pump keeps your house warm by reversing this process. It extracts heat from the outside air and transfers it indoors to warm your home. This hybrid system or dual functionality makes heat pumps popular for year-round climate control.
Potential reasons a heat pump may spring a leak include:
Refrigerant Leak
Like any other HVAC system, your heat pump requires fully charged refrigerant to work efficiently. Any leak will compromise the cooling process.
When cold air no longer flows normally, condensation forms within the indoor unit, causing leaks during operation or after the air conditioner is turned off.
If you notice water leaking from your heat pump’s indoor unit, call an HVAC professional or plumber to inspect your unit to prevent severe system damage. Contact us today to inspect your heat pump and avoid bad plumbing.
Dirty Evaporator Coils
The evaporator coil in your heat pump collects condensation from the air and drains it into a pan connecting to a drainage system. If dirt and debris clog the evaporator coil, it disrupts the normal condensation drainage process.
This blockage can lead to water pooling around the unit and potential leaks inside your home.
Frozen Evaporator Coil
Why is my heat pump leaking water inside? A frozen evaporator coil can also cause your heat pump to leak. This typically happens when the refrigerant in your system gets too cold.
Ice forms on the evaporator coils when this happens as the heat pump works. The ice starts melting once you turn off the system and it stops actively cooling your home’s air. Excess water can overflow the drain pan, causing water to pool around your indoor unit.
So, why does the refrigerant get too cold? The main culprits include:
- Dirty air filters
- Closed vents
- A refrigerant leak
A leak in the refrigerant line can lower the refrigerant temperature, freezing the evaporator coils.
Similarly, a dirty air filter and closed vents restrict the amount of warm air that typically blows over the evaporator coil. The refrigerant can get too cold without enough warm air to maintain a balance, causing the evaporator coil to freeze.
Check that you don’t have dirty air filters or closed vents. If so, you can quickly resolve that. Otherwise, you’ll need to hire a technician to inspect your heat pump for refrigerant leaks. Once the expert identifies the source of the leak, they can fix it and then restore the refrigerant levels.
Clogged Condensate Drain Line
Why is my heat pump leaking water inside? Your heat pump uses a condensate drain system to expel excess moisture from the air. Over time, dirt, debris, and algae can build up and clog the system.
Once the system clogs, the water accumulates as the heat pump works, and it will have nowhere to go and potentially back up into the drain pan. If enough water backs up into the drain pan, you’ll notice water overflowing around the indoor unit.
Depending on the extent of the clog, your heat pump may shut down automatically before this happens. However, you’ll still need to fix the problem before your pump can run again.
Improper Air Handler Installation
This particular cause of a heat pump leak occurs only in ductless split heat pump systems. Why? Unlike central AC systems, an HVAC installer will often mount a mini split air handler on the inside of an exterior wall.
These air handlers contain the fan, coil, and drain pan. As with a conventional air handler, the drain line of a mini-split air handler can get clogged, but that’s not the only reason you might notice a mini-split heat pump leaking water indoors.
Professional HVAC installers typically install the air handlers in a mini-split system, which allows the condensate buildup to flow away from the system via gravity. They must also install and level these air handlers horizontally.
An improper installation where the mini split air handler doesn’t sit level or flat against the wall will interrupt the drainage process. Fortunately, an expert can realign the indoor unit and resolve the issue within a few minutes.
Inadequate Sizing
When it comes to comfort systems, bigger doesn’t always mean better. Installing an oversized heat pump wastes money upfront by needlessly buying a more expensive model.
Moreover, an oversized heat pump will dump large amounts of hot or cold air into your Hurricane home quickly, cycling on and off repeatedly while trying to maintain the set temperature.
So, why is my heat pump leaking water inside? Besides causing greater wear and tear and reducing the unit’s lifespan, this frequent cycling may cause the evaporator coil to freeze, and when it thaws, the water may leak inside your home.
Damaged or Corroded Condensate Pan
The condensate pan collects and removes water generated when the heat pump operates. If the pan succumbs to corrosion, breaks, or moves out of position, a pool of water may form around the base of the heat pump, indicating a potential leak.
Never Ignore Heat Pump Leaks
As far as HVAC issues go, a heat pump leak shouldn’t necessarily cause great alarm. Although it requires attention, HVAC professionals can usually address this common problem.
Nonetheless, never ignore heat pump leaks, however minor. Once you notice the leak, contact an expert immediately to diagnose the issue. Ignoring a leaking heat pump can lead to water damage and mold infestations.
Moreover, standing water within the system can cause component wear and electrical issues. The leak may only need a simple fix, but repairing a short-circuited unit may mean a significant investment you want to avoid.
Solutions for Heat Pump Leaks in Hurricane
Now that you know the potential causes of heat pump leaks in your home, the following tips should help you minimize the chances of leaks:
Maintain Sufficient Airflow
Ensure the area surrounding the heat pump has enough circulation. For instance, keep the area surrounding the outdoor unit free of obstructions, plants, and debris.
Check Refrigerant Levels
Keep your heat pump’s refrigerant at the proper levels. If you suspect a leak, hire an expert to check it out immediately and fix your system.
Change Air Filters
Clean or replace your system’s air filters regularly. Routine air filter changes ensure optimal airflow and enhance your heat pump’s longevity. You won’t have to worry about your heat pump overworking and potentially leaking because of excessive condensation and pressure buildup.
Clean Coils
Hiring an HVAC technician to clean the condenser and evaporator coils prevents heat pump leaks by ensuring efficient heat transfer and preventing ice buildup. Clean coils help the system maintain proper pressure and temperature levels, reducing excessive condensation that can overflow and cause leaks.
Invest in Heat Pump Maintenance
Hiring an expert to inspect your heat pump regularly will keep it working optimally and minimize the frequency of repair issues like leaks. Remember to schedule a maintenance appointment at least once annually.
If you notice a leak, call a professional immediately to schedule heat pump repair and prevent further property damage.
Contact Iron Mountain Plumbing for Plumbing Services in Hurricane, Utah
Since you can now answer the question, “Why is my heat pump leaking water inside?” you can take steps to address the issue and prevent further damage to your home.
Iron Mountain Plumbing stays committed to delivering expert solutions and top-quality service to ensure your plumbing systems function perfectly.
We love to embrace change and approach every project or challenge with a can-do attitude. Whether you need advanced water leak detection services or help to understand the reasons your sink keeps clogging, count on us.
Call Iron Mountain Plumbing at 435•241•7031 to schedule service or request an emergency plumber in or around Hurricane, Utah.