What is a common symptom of a refrigerant leak in a heat pump system?

A common symptom of a refrigerant leak in a heat pump system is frost accumulation on the evaporator coil. When the refrigerant level is low due to a leak, it can lead to inadequate heat absorption in the evaporator coil. The coil cannot effectively absorb heat from the surrounding air, resulting in a drop in temperature that causes moisture in the air to freeze on the coil, leading to frost or ice buildup.

This accumulation can significantly impede the heat pump’s efficiency and performance, as the frozen coil restricts airflow and heat exchange, which can cause the system to become less effective in heating or cooling the indoor space. Identifying frost on the evaporator coil is crucial because it may indicate a refrigerant issue that needs to be addressed for the heat pump to function properly.

Additionally, while increased humidity indoors, a constantly running compressor, and unusually high electrical consumption can be related to various operational problems in a heat pump, they are not as directly indicative of a refrigerant leak as frost formation on the evaporator coil.