annual maintenance

[raeskates]

My husband and I are purchasing a new home with a geothermal heat. We are wondering if there is any annual maintenance that needs to be done. Also is there any way to tell what type of sytem we have. What should we look for?

Thanks, Rae

[HVAC Mechanic]

why do you say it is a geothermal and wonder if it IS a geothermal
usually geothermal is forced air (ducted) and has a ground loop which collects/rejects heat depending on the operating mode

maintenance requirements are generally the same as a typical system
the water quality of the water loop should be checked for abnormal conditions...you dont want a leak in that...

air filters, cleaning indoor coil and motor, tightening electrical connections and checking refrigerant charge...look for a company with geothermal experience

[HVAC Mechanic]

in other words it is a heatpump where the outdoor unit is underground..

[raeskates]

Ok thanks for the comments on the maintenance. I guess I wasn't clear on my other question about the type. I have been doing some reading and I see "open loop" closed loop" " horizontal vertical" and I guess systems that go beneath water. I didn't know if there was any way to tell about that or if it even matters.

[tiger man]

why do you say it is a geothermal and wonder if it IS a geothermal
usually geothermal is forced air (ducted) and has a ground loop which collects/rejects heat depending on the operating mode

maintenance requirements are generally the same as a typical system
the water quality of the water loop should be checked for abnormal conditions...you dont want a leak in that...

air filters, cleaning indoor coil and motor, tightening electrical connections and checking refrigerant charge...look for a company with geothermal experience

Water furnace specifically says not to put gauges on unless a problem is suspected our trainer said he hasnt taken his gauges out of his truck for years

[SkyHeating]

usually geothermal is forced air (ducted)

checking refrigerant charge...look for a company with geothermal experience

geothermal actually takes many forms and is often radiant or forced air or fan coils off hydronic systems. They can be a package unit, a split system with an indoor unit or a split system with an outdoor unit. You might have a desuperheater you might not. a good company can tell you what you have and how to best operate it. The loop also "may" need some checking but mostly just ensure its operating properly(holding pressure if it is a pressurized system) and has good EWt and LWT numbers.

If it is a package unit the refrigerant system should NOt be checked as they come factory charged and have so little refrigerant in them that putting gauges on can mess up performance.

[tiger man]

geothermal actually takes many forms and is often radiant or forced air or fan coils off hydronic systems. They can be a package unit, a split system with an indoor unit or a split system with an outdoor unit. You might have a desuperheater you might not. a good company can tell you what you have and how to best operate it. The loop also "may" need some checking but mostly just ensure its operating properly(holding pressure if it is a pressurized system) and has good EWt and LWT numbers.

If it is a package unit the refrigerant system should NOt be checked as they come factory charged and have so little refrigerant in them that putting gauges on can mess up performance.

We do some water to waterunits that feed a buffer tank on th load side, that is used for in floor heating great units so far