Signs Your Heat Pump Has a Refrigerant Leak in Royal Palm Beach, Florida
The heat pump is one of the smartest HVAC systems available today. It cools your home during the intense Florida summers and keeps it warm during the cooler winter months — all with impressive energy efficiency.
But here’s the catch: it relies heavily on refrigerant to work properly. If that refrigerant leaks, your entire system’s performance can nosedive — often without much warning.
At Pro-Tech Air, we help homeowners in Royal Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Wellington, Boca Raton, and nearby areas detect refrigerant issues early — before they spiral into costly breakdowns. Let’s take a look at the key warning signs of a refrigerant leak in your heat pump.
1. Significant Drop in Heating or Cooling Power
If your heat pump was keeping your home perfectly comfortable last week, but now it’s struggling to maintain the temperature, that’s a red flag.
A refrigerant leak reduces the system’s ability to move heat in or out of your home. This is especially important in areas like Palm Springs or Palm Beach Gardens, where dependable temperature control is critical for your family’s comfort and well-being.
2. Hissing or Bubbling Sounds
Hearing unusual noises like hissing or bubbling during a cooling or heating cycle? That could be refrigerant escaping through tiny holes in the coil or lines.
These sounds are not harmless quirks — they’re symptoms of a real issue. If left unresolved, the leak could worsen and cause further damage to your unit.
3. Ice on the Heat Pump Coils
In Florida, ice buildup of any kind is strange — but especially when it’s forming on your heat pump’s coils.
This is usually caused by the refrigerant level dropping so low that the coils get too cold, freezing the surrounding moisture. The ice buildup restricts airflow, strains the compressor, and drastically reduces performance.
4. Unexplained Spikes in Your Energy Bills
If your electricity bill has jumped without any clear reason, your heat pump might be working overtime to make up for lost refrigerant.
This situation defeats one of the biggest benefits of having a heat pump in the first place: energy efficiency. Homeowners in Loxahatchee or Westlake especially value cost-effective comfort — so it’s worth investigating any sudden energy spikes.
5. Short Cycling
Short cycling happens when your heat pump starts and stops in quick bursts, never completing a full heating or cooling cycle.
Not only does this make your system inefficient, but it also puts extra wear on components like the compressor. One of the most common causes? Low refrigerant.
6. Chemical Smell Around the Unit
If you notice a faint chemical smell around your heat pump, that may indicate a refrigerant leak. Some refrigerants are odorless, but others have additives that produce a telltale smell.
This is especially important for homes with pets or young children — a smell that seems "off" shouldn't be ignored.
Don't Ignore the Warning Signs
A heat pump is a long-term investment in comfort, health, and energy savings — especially in South Florida. But a refrigerant leak can quietly undermine all of that.
If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms in Royal Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Juno Beach, or nearby, it’s time to call in the pros.
Call Pro-Tech Air for Trusted Heat Pump Repair
At Pro-Tech Air, we specialize in detecting and resolving refrigerant leaks in heat pumps and air conditioning systems. Our licensed technicians will inspect your unit, pinpoint the source of the problem, and restore your refrigerant levels with the correct type — so your system runs smoothly and efficiently again.
We’re proud to serve Royal Palm Beach and the surrounding Palm Beach County area with honest advice, transparent pricing, and top-tier service.
📞 Call Ed and the team at Pro-Tech Air today to book your heat pump inspection or schedule a fast repair. Your comfort is our priority — and we’re here when you need us.
