We encourage homeowners to look into using a geothermal HVAC system for their year-round home comfort. If you already have a geothermal heat pump for your home heating and cooling, you’ll understand all the great benefits these systems provide.
However, you may run into a need for Ashland geothermal repair at some point during the long service life of your geothermal system. Although there are some simple issues you can correct with troubleshooting (such as changing the indoor air filter), in many cases you must call on HVAC professionals who understand geothermal heating and cooling to handle the repairs. We’ll take a look at several of the more common geothermal heat pump problems that call for repair work.
Common Geothermal Heat Pump Issues
Ground Loop Leaks
A heat pump draws and deposits heat into the ground using a set of ground loops. A mixture of water and antifreeze serves as the medium of heat exchange in the loops. Even though the loops are buried at least six feet deep, they may start to leak, limiting the power of the geothermal system. Technicians can locate the leaks by inserting a dye into the loops and then locating the colored patches on the lawn; then they can excavate to reach the damaged loop.
Mineral Buildup in the Heat Exchanger
Over time, minerals from the may accumulate in the heat exchanger, which is where the thermal energy from the ground loops transfers into the chemical refrigerant used in the indoor parts of the heat pump. This will start to lower the efficiency of the heat pump and can also lead to damage. The heat exchanger will need cleaning from professionals.
Pump Performance Issues
Geothermal heat pump systems rely on pumps to circulate the water and antifreeze mixture through the ground loops—a part that standard air-source heat pumps don’t use. Pump malfunctions, such as worn-out components or electrical issues, will disrupt the entire system and stop the heat pump from working properly.
Manifold Issues
The manifold is a crucial component responsible for distributing the water and antifreeze mixture through the ground loops. Several issues could potentially arise with the manifold, such as leaks, corrosion, blockage due to sediment, cracks, and faulty valves.
Heat Pump Component Issues
This describes any problem that isn’t unique to a ground-source heat pump, but can happen to any heat pump. All the indoor components of your geothermal heat pump are susceptible to issues like electrical malfunctions, short-cycling, refrigerant leaks, blower motor failures, and others. Technicians will be able to determine if the heat pump components are causing the problem.
The Professionals Are Your Best Resource!
When in doubt about your ground-source heat pump, don’t hesitate to contact our technicians. They can quickly diagnose the problem and find the best solution so you can go back to enjoy steady, energy-efficient comfort in your house.
Something to keep in mind: regular maintenance is the best way to keep problems from occurring in the first place. If you haven’t set up a maintenance program yet for your geothermal system, please reach out to us today to get started.
Contact Air Supreme Heating and Air Conditioning for all your geothermal HVAC needs. Supreme service you can count on!