There are many misconceptions about geothermal systems. The truth is that they are simple and effective and will last as long as conventional heating and cooling equipment if installed and maintained properly.
Basics of a geothermal system
A geothermal system is a heat pump where the external fan and condenser coils are replaced by pipes laid in the ground filled with water containing antifreeze that is circulated by a small pump.
Because the ground is warmer than the outside air in winter, it is easier for the heat pump to extract heat from the ground to heat your home and vice versa in summer. The two main components are the ground coils with their circulation pump and the heat pump unit itself.
Ground coils
The coils are usually made from PVC, polyethylene, or high-density polyethylene pipe. All these materials are durable and typically have a long life (underground these pipes can last up to 50 years.). PVC pipes are used for domestic drains and polyethylene pipe is widely used in industry.
The most important point regarding installation is to avoid sharp objects near the pipes and to ensure that joints are made according to manufacturers’ recommendations.
Heat pump
As a geothermal heat pump does not require an external heat exchanger coil and fan, the entire heat pump can be installed indoors, where its life expectancy can be up to 25 years.
Maintenance
In order to attain long life from your geothermal system, regular maintenance is important. The heat pump and air filters should be serviced at least once a year by a qualified technician who should check refrigeration levels and make sure the unit is in good working order. The water antifreeze mixture in the underground pipes needs to be monitored to ensure there is no bacterial growth or other contamination. Every few years it also may be necessary to flush this piping. There should be no water leaks or the circulating pump may run dry and fail.
Further information
If you would like further information on installing a geothermal system, contact Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc. at our Dayton (937-879-2373) or Springfield (937-325-7396) location.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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