When you find your heat pump leaking, it can be tough to know how serious the problem is. In this post, the experts at Gold Star Services discuss common causes for a leaking heat pump and what you can do about it.

What is a Heat Pump?

A heat pump is a kind of HVAC system that helps cool a home in the summer months and heats it in the fall and winter. To cool a home, a heat pump uses refrigerant to transfer heat out of the home. Conversely, in the winter, it transfers heat from the outside into the home.

During this course of operation, condensation commonly forms on the unit’s evaporator coils–this is a normal part of the process. This condensation should drip down into a condensate drain line, which transfers and expels the moisture outside. A heat pump also has an overflow pan to catch additional moisture. A misaligned or cracked overflow pan or a clogged condensate drain line can cause this condensation to back up and leak into your home.

It’s important to note that when in heating mode, condensation can form or freeze on the outdoor unit and drip or defrost onto the ground outside. This is normal and doesn’t indicate a leak.

Common Causes for a Leaking Heat Pump

• A clogged condensate drain line. This causes condensation to flow back into the overflow pan.
• A cracked or improperly installed overflow pan. The pan can also become clogged by debris, mold or algae and might need to be cleaned thoroughly.
• A dirty evaporator coil–the evaporator coil gathers condensation and allows it to flow down and drip into the drain pan. A dirty coil can cause water to drip onto the floor instead.

What to Do When Your Heat Pump is Leaking

Even though a leaking heat pump is not necessarily an emergency, the issue needs to be addressed. Ignoring a leak can cause water damage in your home, lead to the growth of mold or algae and eventually, electrical issues or damage to component parts.

Work with a Professional

A qualified HVAC technician can diagnose and repair the problem quickly. Additionally, keeping up with annual maintenance can prevent these issues entirely.

Gold Star Services has a team of highly skilled HVAC technicians ready to help! Our services include heating, cooling and water heater repair, replacement and maintenance. Call 1-302-947-8694 to connect with Gold Star Services today!