Neo-Geothermal

This article explains about the potential geothermal heat pump problems you might encounter after installing such a system. Geothermal systems have more than enough advantages, but there are also some bad things about geothermal heat pumps. Common heat pump problems involve low airflow, leeky ducts, incorrect refrigerant charge.

The performance of the entire system will noticeable deteriorate if airflow is much less than 350 cfm per ton. But there is a fix to that problem, so you shouldn't worry too much about it. A good technician can increase the airflow in no time by cleaning the evaporator coil and increasing the speed of the fan. If that doesn't help, then some modifications on the ductwork might be required.

In case there are dirty coils and filters, these parts should be changed. To avoid having such problem in the first place, clean the coils and filters on a regular basis.

Another problem could be the heat pump making too much noise. Although the entire system is designed to run very smoothly, there cases where the pump generates extreme levels of noise. A properly-working heat pump model has an outdoor sound rating of 7.6 bels or lower. If the problem isn't in the model, a possible source of the problem is the location. You should install the heat pump outdoor unit away from any windows and adjacent buildings. You should also mount the unit on a noise-absorbing base.

There could be potential winds and frosting problems related to your heat pump. But that could be avoided by choosing a good location in the first place. The location of the heat pump outdoor has a great impact on its efficiency. Rule is that all outdoor units shouldn't be facing high winds, as they can cause frosting problems. Therefore, try to strategically place a bush or a fence.

As much as you don't to have any geothermal heat pump problems, no system is perfect so you might need some sort of a fix from time to time. Good news is that heat pumps have a guarantee, so if you are within that period, the company that sold the equipment to you will be responsible for fixing it. As you know, such guarantees vary from manufacturer to another. Some manufacturers offer plans that have like 10 years of total coverage, protecting you against rising repair costs, and with no limit on the number of repairs. That's what you should be looking for. But the more common type of warranties actually cover the different parts of the heat pump system, so for example the underground loop used in the geothermal system can be guaranteed to last 25 to 50 years, while the compressors and outdoor coil typically have coverage for a ten-year period.