Refrigerant leaks are the bane of air conditioners and heat pumps of all shapes and sizes. The refrigerant gas is the source of the A/C’s cooling power, and it needs to be at certain set levels (which vary depending on the exact type of unit). When those levels drop – through a breach in the line, say, or similar loss – then the damage can cascade and eventually result in serious repairs. The good news is that here in Wilmette, IL heat pump repair services can fix the problem before the damage caused by refrigerant leaks can get too bad.
The biggest sign of a refrigerant leak is a build-up of ice on the evaporator coils. It doesn’t seem like much – isn’t an air conditioner supposed to be cold? – but in fact it can create as serious issue. It acts as an insulator between the refrigerant and the air it’s supposed to cool, keeping the system from functioning the way it should. The air conditioner or heat pump thus works harder to do its job, increasing the strain on every single component. The ice build-up only worsen since its insulating properties exacerbate the problem, until the entire unit stops producing cool air at all. In the meantime, numerous other components are apt to be damaged by the problem, caused by the strain of over-work and similar issues of wear and tear.
The ice itself can cause damage too, both to the evaporator coil and to any components vulnerable to water. When the system shuts off, the ice may melt, and the water will short out electrical motors and damage similar elements very easily.
Unfortunately, you can’t simply scrape the ice off, since it’s just a symptom of the actual problem. Instead, give the experts at Shavitz Heating & Air Conditioning a call. We can handle the damage caused by refrigerant leaks, and will seal up the leak and recharge refrigerant levels so that the problem doesn’t repair. Heating system repairs in Wilmette, IL should be courteous and efficient and we stand by our pledge to leave you completely satisfied with our work. Call us today to make an appointment and let us show you how!