Heat pumps—which most people think are primarily for heating the home in the winter—are different from traditional heating systems in the way they are constructed. In fact, heat pumps are more similar to air conditioners than combustion based heating systems, and they are also used as a cooling system.
Their construction is what allows them to be so energy efficient, however it also opens them up to a couple of potential issues. To make sure that your heat pump remains in the best possible shape, you should be aware of how the system works. Below we’ve discussed one of the most vital components of a heat pump system: the refrigerant.
What Does Refrigerant Do?
Refrigerant is not a single fluid. It’s actually a combination of a variety of different heat transfer fluids used in all air conditioning and heat pump systems. Refrigerant runs between the two units of the heat pump—one inside and one outside.
Each heat pump unit houses coils that can act as either evaporators or condensers. The evaporator coil—whichever that one is at the time—evaporates refrigerant in order to absorb heat from the surrounding area.
At this time, it sends the refrigerant gas down the refrigerant line to the other coil, where it is condenses back into a liquid. This releases the heat either into or out of the home. The refrigerant is what allows the heat pump to operate.
Potential Problems
The leading problem in regards to refrigerant is a leak in the refrigerant line. Heat pumps do not consume refrigerant. Rather, they recycle it during operation. So, if a leak develops in the refrigerant line, it will drain the system of the fluid it needs to operate. This causes a slow decline in efficiency, which may be followed by a complete system breakdown.
For heat pump services in Bulverde, TX, contact Riteway Service Company today.
Tags: Bulverde, Heat Pump Services Monday, May 30th, 2016 at 11:00 am| Categories: Air Conditioning |
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