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.

The most expensive component of the entire geothermal heat pump system is the ground loop. The main things on which this price depends are labor rates in the given area and characteristics of the location where the digging and drilling will be made. Installing the ground loop will cost you anywhere between $1,000 and $3,000 per installed ton. Bottom line is that you should be prepared to pay between $2,500 and $10,000 more for a 3-ton GHP system compared to an air source heat pump system.

The reason why geothermal heat pumps are a really efficient way of condition a home is that they combine high efficiency with low operating cost. According to the EPA, geothermal heat pumps can save homeowners 30 to 70 percent on heating and 20 to 50 percent on cooling costs over conventional systems. As a result of that, heating and cooling savings can range between $358 and $1,475, annually.

Here is a real-life example. After running a system like that for just a month, a customer received his electric bill and the results were quit astonishing. For the course of an entire month, the bill was only $60 higher compared to the previous month (without the system), so the actual heating bill of this family was just $60, which is a great result for a 4 tons system in a rather large home. This family being mentioned in our non-fictional example paid around $10,000 for the geothermal equipment and another $9,000 for the ground loop. So the entire cost was about $19,000 which of course is a lot of money, but if you think about all the savings you will make in the future and the fact that you are not polluting the environment by burning fuels or propane, you will see that it's totally worth it. Competing HVAC systems are even more expensive in other countries and the same family in this example was quoted $16,000 for an oil-fired furnace and electric central air conditioning system.

Gas geothermal heat pumps provide a real solution to home heating problems. No more high heating bills, humidification problems, cold drafts or hot blasts, and environmental side effects of burning fuels. Forget about the traditional age old technology that goes all the way back to black-and-white television, VCRs, and bias-ply tires. Thousands of homeowners across the country have already discovered the power of geothermal heating and cooling, what about you?

Geothermal systems have proven themselves over the past few decades of operation in all parts of USA. There are several manufacturers and many contractors in every area so there is stiff competition which ensures quality installation and service at a fair price.

Some people are concerned that a gas geothermal heat pump might be difficult to install, but there is no such thing. Most units are easy to install, especially when they are replacing another forced air system. They can be installed in areas unsuitable for fossil fuel furnaces because there is no combustion, thus, no need to vent exhaust gases. Ductwork must be installed in homes that don't have an existing air distribution system. The difficulty of installing ductwork will vary and should be assessed by a contractor.

The average life span of a gas geothermal heat pump is 22 years, estimated by the U.S. Department of Energy. so the initial investment will definitely pay itself back. Gas geothermal heat pumps save money, reduce emissions, and are cost effective compared to conventional heating and cooling technologies. Other heating systems might be less expensive initially, but their level of efficiency is much lower. On top of all that cost effectiveness, geothermal heat pump systems offer aesthetic advantages, there really quiet during operation, free or reduced-cost hot water, improved comfort, and a host of other benefits.