Geothermal heat pumps:
Questions you should ask about a
new heating system

Regardless of the type of heating system you may be considering for your home or business, there are specific questions you should ask the us. These questions deal with finding out the actual efficiency of the system, any operating limitations it may have, and the bottom line of operating costs. The answers here are meant as a guide for what you should try to find out with your questions.

Q: What is the BTU size of the furnace that's being proposed?
A: Furnaces are designed to provide specific amounts of heat energy per hour. The term "BTUH" refers to how much heat can be produced by the unit in an hour. Before you can know what size furnace you'll need, you must have a heat loss/heat gain calculation done on your home. From that, an accurate determination can be made on the size of the heating system you'll need. Most fossil fuel furnaces are substantially oversized for home heating requirements, resulting in increased operating costs.

Q: Is the efficiency rating actual or just a manufacturer's average?
A: All types of heating and cooling systems have a rated efficiency. Fossil fuel furnaces have a percentage efficiency rating. Natural gas, propane and fuel oil furnaces have efficiency ratings based on laboratory conditions. To get an accurate installed efficiency rating, factors such as flue gas heat losses, cycling losses caused by oversizing, blower fan electrical usage, etc., must be included.

Geothermal heat pumps, as well as all other types of heat pumps, have efficiencies rated according to their coefficient of performance or COP. It's a scientific way of determining how much energy the system produces versus how much it uses.

Most geothermal heat pump systems have COPs of 2.5-3.5. That means for every one unit of energy used to power the system, two and one-half to three and one-half units are supplied as heat.

Where a fossil fuel furnace may be 50-90 percent efficient, a geothermal heat pump is about 300 percent efficient. Some geothermal heat pump manufacturers and electric utilities use computers to accurately determine the operating efficiency of a system for your home.

Q: Will the minimum entering water temperature have an affect on which heat pump I buy?
A: Yes. If you have an open-loop system, your entering water temperatures (EVVTS) may range from the 70s in the southern United States to the 40s in Canada. All heat pumps can handle temperatures in the moderate to warm ranges. A closed-loop system, on the other hand, will encounter EWTs below freezing. Not all geothermal heat pumps will operate efficiently at those temperatures. It's important for you to know what EWTs your heat pump will handle.

Q: Are the dealer and loop installers qualified?
A: Don't be afraid to ask for references from dealers. A reputable dealer won't hesitate to give you names and numbers to call to confirm his capabilities. The same with the loop installer.

Q: Will open- or closed-loop be best for you?
A: That depends on several factors, as stated earlier. A dealer should be willing to install what's best for you, not for him.

Q: Will the loop joints be heat fused?
A: The only acceptable method for joining sections of the special pipe used for closed-loop systems is heat fusion. Any other method will eventually result in failure of the loop.

Q: How long is the payback period for your geothermal heat pump system?
A: To figure this accurately, you must know how much per year you'll save in energy costs with a geothermal system and the difference in costs between it and a conventional heating system and central air conditioner. As an example: If you'll save $700 per year with a geothermal system and the cost difference is $2,000, your payback will be less than three years.

Q: If a home has ceiling cable heat or baseboard heat, do air ducts need to be installed?
A: Not always. It may be desirable to install geothermal heat pump room units. For some small homes, one room unit would provide most of the heating and cooling needs. Ceiling cable or baseboard units could then be used for supplemental heat.

Q: If I want to know more about geothermal heat pump systems, whom should I contact?
A: JC HEATING & COOLING. Most electric utilities have information about these systems. If you have a question they can't answer, they will put you in contact with someone who can.

REMEMBER! We want you to be an informed, efficient user of electricity. Contact JC HEATING & COOLING anytime you have a question.