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Is Your Geothermal Heating System Overdue for Routine Maintenance?

Bi-Temp in Belleville, Ontario, provides homeowners with the routine maintenance needs of a geothermal heating system.

Is Your Geothermal Heating System Overdue for Routine Maintenance?

Geothermal heating systems are becoming more and more popular throughout North America. This type of HVAC system offers a genuinely sustainable source of heating in an era when very little else feels friendly to the environment.

Another reason for the geothermal buzz is that this type of heating is often touted as maintenance-free.

This is somewhat less accurate. All systems need some level of routine maintenance and inspection from time to time to deliver peak efficiency and maximum energy savings.

If you want to get the most from your commercial or residential geothermal system this winter, this is the post you need to read.

 

10 Geothermal Water Furnace Routine Maintenance Requirements

Some maintenance requirements can vary based on the exact type of geothermal system you are using.

But for general knowledge purposes, these are the 10 basic steps that must always be done when conducting routine preventative maintenance for a geothermal HVAC system.

1. Change the air filter.

The main challenge here is to be sure you are using the correct air filter that is rated for the type of geothermal system you have installed.

The air filter should be changed once per month. Your Bi-Temp HVAC technician will take care of this task for you in the month you schedule your routine geothermal maintenance service.

2. Clean the system.

Like all major appliances, your geothermal system needs a thorough cleaning at least once per year. This cleaning is dual purpose as it also gives you a chance to inspect the integrity of the whole system from end to end.

3. Check, drain and clean the condensation pans.

Your geothermal system's condensation pans offer a handy early warning system to alert you of any internal malfunctions. If the pans get clogged, the debris can plug up the drain and shut down your whole system.

But the condensate pans also need routine cleaning for another potential danger - mould and mildew growth! It is a good idea to check the condensation pans monthly to make sure opportunistic mould never gets the chance to take hold and spread.

4. Check, clean and repair air registers, vents and ducts.

It is so easy to forget all about the air registers, vents and ducts that partner with your geothermal system to deliver temperature-controlled air to the farthest reaches of your space.

Routine preventative geothermal maintenance simply ensures none of these valuable conduits are leaking, damaged or missing.

5. Pressure test loop pipe system for leaks.

For open loop geothermal systems, you will want to clean and flush your system annually to remove mineral and debris build-up.

Your closed loop geothermal system may need periodic pressure checks and pressurizing to keep the whole system working as it should.

6. Check refrigerant or antifreeze mixture levels.

Even though geothermal heating systems are designed to be environmentally friendly and safe, they still make use of a very specialized type of refrigerant or antifreeze mixture to create the right environment for heat transfer to occur.

It is important not to try to adjust these levels yourself. This is something your Bi-Temp HVAC technician can take care of during your annual preventative maintenance service.

7. Test and calibrate the thermostat and zone controls.

Different geothermal systems use different thermostat configurations. And there are pros and cons to battery-operated versus wired thermostats. Some newer systems offer the option to integrate with a programmable thermostat for maximum energy savings.

Testing the thermostat and zone controls for accuracy can indicate whether a recalibration may be in order.

8. Clean, repair and lubricate heat exchanger, coils and all mechanical components.

The heat exchanger is like the heart of your geothermal heating system. Over time, accumulated debris or mineral buildup can impact operation of the internal mechanics of your whole system.

Taking time to clean, repair and/or lubricate the heat exchanger, coils and all moving parts that make your system work is a smart choice.

9. Check, clean and test any auxiliary components.

If your geothermal heating system works in tandem with a desuperheater, hot water assist or other auxiliary components, it is important to check, clean and test these as well. A water pressure test and flow rate test should also be done at the same time.

10. Check and test the electrical power connections.

No geothermal system safety inspection is ever complete without testing the electrical power connections. Loose or frayed wires can quickly devolve into a fire hazard. It is well worth your time and peace of mind to check all electrical and fuel connections at least once per year.

 

Thinking of Switching to Geothermal Heating and Cooling Services?

By recycling ground-source or water-source solar energy that would otherwise be wasted, choosing a geothermal system immediately nets you four benefits with long-term appeal.

  • Silent cycling and operation.
  • Safe heating even around kids and pets.
  • Cost-effective over time - and sometimes even a money maker!
  • Friendly to the environment and the planet.

Some geothermal systems also handle your hot water needs through the addition of a desuperheater or hot water assist.

You can choose from air source, water source, vertical or horizontal ground source geothermal systems depending on your available space and overall heating, cooling and hot water needs.

It is easy to get the process started - just reach out to us using the contact information below and ask about a FREE QUOTE estimate for a new geothermal heating system.

 

Bi-Temp in Quinte West Is Your Geothermal Heating Expert

Bi-Temp Heating and Cooling is one of the first in the area to offer geothermal heating systems to our customers in the Belleville, Quinte, Ontario and surrounding areas.

When was the last time your geothermal heating system had its routine maintenance and safety inspection?

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