What symptom might indicate a leaking check valve in cooling mode on a heat pump system?

A leaking check valve in cooling mode on a heat pump system can cause flooding of the indoor coil. The check valve is designed to prevent refrigerant from flowing in the wrong direction. If this valve is leaking, it may not seal properly, allowing refrigerant to bypass and accumulate in areas where it shouldn’t, such as the indoor coil. This accumulation can cause excessive moisture and lead to flooding, potentially resulting in water damage and inefficiencies in the system.

Understanding that the check valve's primary role is to manage refrigerant flow helps clarify why flooding may occur when it fails. It causes unintended consequences that can disrupt the cooling process. The other symptoms mentioned, while potentially related to heat pump operation inefficiencies, do not directly indicate a leaking check valve in the same way flooding does. Flooding is a specific and observable symptom that directly correlates with the failure of the check valve to function correctly during cooling mode.