A heat pump comprises of several different parts. These parts work together as a team to keep your house warm in the winter. One of the most important components is the evaporator coils. With time, these coils need to be replaced. You may notice some heat pump repair signs that should alert you to proceed with the replacement process.

Poor Heating

One of the first signs of your heat pump evaporator coils needing replacement is poor heating. In air conditioning systems, the job of the evaporator coils is to cool. However, in the case of the unit not producing sufficient cool air, the evaporator is might be amongst the culprits.

However, today, inverter air conditioning systems use the same evaporator coils for both heating and cooling. With that said, if the evaporator coil of your heat pump is faulty, it means that you will probably need to replace it. It is important to identify such problems beforehand so that the rest of the components do not get harmed during the process.

In addition to that, the unit will struggle and consume more energy to compensate for the heat. As a result, you will experience a huge increase in monthly energy bills.

Unusual Sounds

It is often that heat pumps produce unusual sounds when the evaporator coil has either gone bad or is about to go bad. Sounds such as clanging, hissing, or banging may point towards the coil needing to be replaced. While some people might wait for the problem to fix on its own but you should attend to it as soon as possible.

Furthermore, evaporator coils work for several years until needing a replacement. However, in some cases, some external factors might end up damaging them as well. Therefore, if you are skeptical about its condition, you should hire a professional who will run a thorough inspection and fix the issue before it turns for the worst.

Dirt And Dust

With time, dirt, grime, and dust deposit accumulation will take place as well, which is again a common phenomenon. Since the evaporator and condenser coils are located outdoors, dirt, dust, leaves, etc. will settle on them. This means that it is important to clean both coils at least once a week.

If you live in an area that experiences extreme weather conditions throughout the year, you may consider cleaning them twice. In the case of ice and snow accumulation, you should first melt the ice using tap water and then use a tool to remove the ice. Make sure that you do not use a sharp object, which can easily damage sensitive components.

Corrosion

Corrosion is by far the worst enemy of heat pump components. There are several reasons contributing to corrosion in evaporator coils. Most notably, chemical sprays used inside the house can mix with the condensed air and come in contact with the evaporator. Once corrosion starts to take place on the coils, it leads to leakages due to tiny leaks.

A tell-tale sign of this problem is when you see an oily deposit on the evaporator surface or in the drain pan. In such a case, you will need to replace the evaporator coil as you cannot fix the leak.

Does Maintenance Help?

Yes, maintenance of your heat pump goes a long way when it comes to avoiding expensive repairs and replacements. However, you need to make sure that you hire an expert for the purpose. You will come across several options out there but not everyone is qualified enough to maintain and look after heat pumps.

You might end up saving some money at the end of the day but not without comprising the overall life of your heat pump. Performing a thorough checkup at least once a year ensures that any potential problems are spotted beforehand and fixed.

Final Word

Concluding, evaporator coils are easy to maintain and to look after. However, at some point, you will need to replace them as they near their maximum lifespan. And you shouldn’t delay their replacement because it will cause stress on the heat pump. Make sure that you opt for a heat pump repair service McLean that is known to perform the job with assurance and minimum risks involved.