How to Fix Heat Pump Leaking Water

Is there water leaking from your heat pump everywhere? That’s horrible, to start with. You should probably acquire some towels and a mop. Clear that up. Secondly, what is the initial cause of a heat pump leaking water? What is happening? Should they act in that way?

Causes of a Heat Pump Leaking Water

There are two primary parts that we can be referring to when discussing a heat pump that is leaking water. We can be discussing the external condenser or the internal air handler. Condensate from both sources has the potential to accumulate, spill, drop, or do other undesirable things. They won’t, however, carry out this action at the same time of year. In general, when the system is cooling in the summer, the interior air handler should produce condensate. While the system is heating in the winter, the condenser should produce condensate.

How A Heat Pump Works

Now let’s discuss what happens in practice when you employ an air source heat pump.
One important thing to remember is that heat pumps do not produce cold. That isn’t actually achievable. It also doesn’t produce heat. Transferring heat from one place to another is what a heat pump does. All you really need to know, without delving into the technicalities of the procedure, is that a heat pump takes heat from a building and expels it outdoors in order to cool it. A heat pump transfers heat from the outside to the interior to provide warmth.
Dehumidification is this procedure’ main adverse impact. Dehumidification used to be the main goal, in actuality. The method used today in air conditioners and heat pumps to control temperature was originally designed to minimize humidity in paper warehouses. Needless to say, a lot has changed since then. It goes without saying that dehumidifying air produces condensation, or water. The heat pump or air conditioner coil becomes clogged with that water. This is the source of the water leakage issue with your heat pump. The condensate in an air handler runs off the coil into a pan, down a drain, and out the other side. Condensate on a condenser falls to the ground from the coil. It’s alright. The earth is unaffected.

Heat Pump Leaking Water Inside

Since your belongings are all inside, a heat pump that leaks water might be a serious issue. Although the goal of modern systems is to keep any condensate that is produced flowing outside, this doesn’t always happen as intended.

Condensate Drain Blockage

The condensate drain pipe is your main suspect if your heat pump is leaking water inside of it. The condensate buildup in the drain pan will overflow if this line becomes clogged. That annoying drain line is therefore the first thing you should look for when you discover an overflowing drain pan. Make sure the water is exiting the system smoothly and clear out any blockages. Usually, this will solve the issue.

Air Handler Not Level

A very different form of leak can occur with a ductless mini split heat pump. A tiny split air handler is typically installed on the inside of an external wall, as opposed to a central air system. In addition to the fan and coil, these rectangular cabinets also have a drain pan. Similar to a traditional air handler, a tiny split air handler drain line may clog, but there are other possible causes for water leaks in small split heat pumps.
Installing mini split air handlers requires making sure they are as level and flat as possible on the horizontal axis. Condensate building on the air handler coil will be drawn off by gravity and fall into the drain pan, where it will eventually run out the drain line, thanks to the coil’s positioning. This operation is halted when the small split air handler is not level or flush with the wall. In this instance, the problem can be resolved by properly leveling the air handler.

Heat Pump Leaking Water Outside

The same condensate building happens on the outside condenser when the unit is heating in cold weather, even though a heat pump leaking water inside could garner considerably more attention. It’s typically not noticeable to you because it occurs outside your walls. It’s usually not a major issue.
Because we all know what happens to water when the temperature drops below freezing, it could be a problem in extremely cold weather. Indeed, there is a concern here because condensate that accumulates on the outside coil has the potential to freeze and to do so on the coil itself. This is among the factors that make conventional air source heat pumps unsuitable for use as low-temperature heating systems. However, it is a challenge that is solvable.

Ice on the Coils

Heat pumps use a defrost cycle to remove ice buildup from their coils. To melt the ice buildup, they essentially turn on the air conditioner, take some heat from your home, and utilize it to heat the coil. If you’re thinking, “Wouldn’t that blow cold air into my house,” you are on the correct track, because that is exactly what it does.
As one might anticipate, there are several reasons why this is not ideal. For this reason, electric heat strips are typically included with air source heat pumps. These are standby electric heat components that can be activated to continue heating throughout this defrost period or to take over in the event that the outside temperature drops to a point where a typical air source heat pump is unable to function. Basically, if you plan to use your heat pump a lot throughout the winter, you should always acquire a heat strip.

How to Prevent Leaks

The last thing you want to deal with is heat pump leaks. Although there’s no way to ensure optimal performance from your heat pump, there are steps you can take to improve the odds. Your heat pump can withstand the months of abrasion with a little care.
Setting up regular maintenance for your heat pump is maybe the finest thing you can do for it. You have to have a professional evaluate your system at least once every six months. They will examine every facet of your system and pinpoint any issues. You might be able to prevent leaks in your system with regular maintenance.
To prevent leaks in your heat pump, there are a few DIY fixes you may try. To start with, you ought to replace your filters on a regular basis. Evaporator coils that freeze as a result of clogged filters may also result in needless wear and tear. Filters need to be changed once every three months. Clean your reusable filters every three months if you have any. Your heat pump’s handbook contains information regarding your filters. It has all the information you require.
The newest generation of heat pump units is becoming considerably better at heating in cold weather, even if there is no way to avoid the condensate freezing problem of the heat pump condenser in the winter.
Increased Assistance for Your Heat Pump Water Seeping.
Do you have no idea how to fix a water leak coming from your heat pump, either outside or inside? Describe the issue in the comments below. We’ll make every effort to assist you in solving the issue.

Call Us for Heat Pump Maintenance

If you don’t want to deal with the consequences of a leaky heat pump Virginia, call us at Heating Repair Manassas. Our heat pump maintenance could prevent leaks as well as other issues with your system. To schedule your next maintenance call, contact us today. (833) 368-2665