Heat pumps work according to the same principle as air conditioning units, with a closed system circulating refrigerant that moves between a gaseous and a liquid state. As it does so, it alternately warms and cools the surrounding air, which can then be blown into your house via a fan. When refrigerant levels run low, ice can develop on the system’s coils, which interfere with the cooling process and prevent the heat pump from functioning as it should. If you own a heat pump in Savannah, GA, AAction Air has experts to help with repairs. But the question remains: “ice on my heat pump: why can’t I just scrape it off?”
Mostly, it’s because the ice is just a symptom, not the cause of the problem. Heat pumps require a set amount of refrigerant to work, based on the specifics of their make and model. It’s the loss of that refrigerant – likely through a breach or a leak in the system somewhere – that causes the ice, and until that source is dealt with, scraping it off makes no sense. The ice will only reform after a short time and the underlying problem hasn’t changed. Your heat pump still isn’t working as it should and the lost productivity is still costing you money in monthly energy bills. Only locating and sealing the source of the leak, followed by recharging refrigerant levels to their proper amounts, will get rid of the underlying problem.
Furthermore, in attempting to scrape the ice off, you might damage the evaporator coils, necessitating their replacement. They’re an expensive and difficult component to replace, and your well-meaning efforts could turn a simple repair call into something much more problematic.
If you find ice on your heat pump, call upon the trained professionals at AAction Air to help. We know how to handle any problems related to your heat pump in Savannah GA. Call us today to make an appointment. You’ll be glad you did!
Savannah GA