If you’ve been looking into geothermal heating systems for your home, you probably already know about the many benefits they offer. Geothermal energy can significantly reduce your utility bills and is an environmentally friendly power source, but you may be wondering whether it’s easier and more affordable to maintain a geothermal heat pump than a conventional HVAC system.
Generally speaking, preventive maintenance on a geothermal system is less intensive than the upkeep on a traditional central HVAC unit. This is because geothermal systems are fairly simple in their mechanical design, and most of their working parts are located underground, which protects them from the wear and tear that results from environmental exposure.
Here’s what’s usually involved in preventive maintenance on a geothermal heating system:
- Air filter maintenance. As with a conventional furnace or air conditioner, it’s important that you keep your air filters clean and unobstructed if you have geothermal heating or cooling. You should aim to clean or replace your filters at least twice per year, and check them regularly during the heights of the heating and cooling seasons.
- Pressure checks. If your geothermal system is designed with a closed loop, as most are, you should regularly check to make sure the system’s pressure falls within the acceptable range. You can do this by checking the pressure gauge which should be affixed to the unit itself.
- Condensation checks. Geothermal systems require condensation pans to collect moisture. It’s important that you make regular inspections to ensure that mold and algae aren’t growing, and that the amount of moisture being generated by the system falls within the normal range.
If you ever have any questions about geothermal heating and cooling systems, don’t hesitate to contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc. We’re a leading provider of residential and commercial heating and cooling systems in the Dayton area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Ace Hardware Home Services services the Ohio’s Miami Valley. To get started, check out our website or request an appointment.
