5 Ways Your Geothermal System Can Stay Maintained

Although maintenance requirements for your geothermal system are simpler than those needed for a furnace, air conditioner, or air-source heat pump, five basic steps are required to ensure the longest lifespan and efficient operation of your geothermal heating and cooling system.

With a geothermal system, the long term maintenance requirements are directly related to the quality of the system’s initial installation. As a result, the first step in proper geothermal maintenance actually begins during the planning phase of the project. The five most important steps in geothermal maintenance are:

1. Selection of a highly qualified installer who will complete quality workmanship, particularly with the underground piping of your system. Since geothermal pipes are buried within the earth (or run beneath water), they must be installed carefully to prevent leakage of the antifreeze fluid flowing through them. Proper sizing is also critical for efficient operation of your system and is best determined with the assistance of a professional.
2. Checking and topping off your system’s antifreeze level. Since even small leaks can lead to fluid loss, verifying that your system has the proper amount of antifreeze solution ensures the optimal functioning of your geothermal system.
3. While repairs are typically not required, a professional inspection of the piping components within your system should be completed to confirm that your pipes are in optimal condition.
4. Regular cleaning of dirt and debris on the indoor components of your system. Blower fans, your heat exchanger, and all moving parts will operate more efficiently when proper airflow is maintained through regular cleaning practices.
5. Upkeep of your home’s ductwork. Because the conditioned air concentrated with your geothermal heat pump must move through ductwork in order to arrive to each room in your home, clean, unobstructed ducts without leaks are critical for efficient operation of your geothermal system. Sealing air leaks will save you money while increasing the overall comfort of your home.

If you live in Northwestern Arkansas and would like to learn more about energy efficient geothermal systems, contact Paschal Heat, Air & Geothermal, where we have been helping homeowners meet their home comfort needs since 1968!

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Springdale, Arkansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about geothermal systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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