Heat pumps offer great longevity, energy efficiency, and even save you money on a day-to-day basis whether you’re heating your home or cooling it. They’re powerful machines, but much like air conditioners, there’s a part of them that’s been outmoded to the point that you might have to replace yours.
We’ve handled a lot of heat pump replacement in Sussex County, DE already, and we’ve seen this problem pop up time and time again. Let’s talk about the one repair that your heat pump may not be able to come back from.
The Problem: Refrigerant Leaks
Your heat pump uses refrigerant when you turn it to cooling mode, just like an air conditioner would. That refrigerant sits in a closed loop system that’s not supposed to be tampered with. Refrigerant turns from liquid to gas, and back to liquid again in an ongoing loop.
If you run into a refrigerant leak in an older heat pump, that poses a bigger problem than you think. We may be able to close up the source of the leak, but we may not be able to add more refrigerant to replace what leaked out. You may not even be able to do it on your own, either.
If your heat pump uses R-22 refrigerant, we have some bad news: it’s been rendered obsolete. Beyond that, it’s illegal to import and sell in the United States as of 2020.
Here’s Why It’s a Problem
If your heat pump uses R-22 refrigerant, it’s been engineered with the specifications of that refrigerant in mind. That means another type of refrigerant likely won’t work in your heat pump.
Since it’s not possible to get your hands on R-22 to replace what’s missing in your heat pump, you’re basically left with one option: replace your entire unit. You can run your heat pump with less refrigerant, but you run the risk of freezing your condenser coil and causing massive damage to that parts that are still there.
Thankfully, You Can Take Advantage of the IRA
The Inflation Reduction Act, which went into effect in January of 2023, helps homeowners get a massive rebate on the purchase of a new heat pump. This varies from state to state, and it can depend on income level depending on which program you choose, but it can grant you a rebate of up to $8,000.
While it’s not good news that you need to replace your heat pump, at least there’s a way to do it without breaking the bank entirely. We can also help you with our financing options as well.
We Can Replace That Old Heat Pump for You
A refrigerant leak is an awful reason to have to replace a young machine, but since you can’t get your hands on R22 anymore, it may be the end for your current heat pump. We’ll help you find a replacement. And don’t forget, you can take advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act to get a rebate on it as well.
Contact us today to schedule your heat pump repair as soon as possible.