Frequently Asked Questions About Geothermal Heating and Cooling

What key question should I ask a prospective Champaign, IL, contractor?

Ask about loop flushing. A knowledgeable geothermal contractor understands the importance of flushing debris from the earth loop when replacing a geothermal heat pump. A contractor that suggests finding another company to handle flushing may be inexperienced or lack the equipment needed for geothermal installations. It is crucial to hire an experienced contractor.

Does a geothermal contractor need special training, certifications, and tools?

Absolutely! If your HVAC contractor lacks training in geothermal installation, your system may not work as promised. Using the right tools is equally important. For that reason, we have all the necessary tools to keep your system up and running efficiently. Always make sure your contractor has the tools and knows how to flush your loop.

Is geothermal a good fit for my home?

It depends. Your property must have enough space to accommodate a drilling rig and other equipment. Your loop must adhere to health department requirements regarding distance from nearby water and sewer lines. It is not uncommon for a homeowner to think their yard has space for a loop, only to discover neighboring water or sewer lines prevent drilling. Additionally, fences and established landscaping can interfere with loop installation.

Will I need a permit to install a geothermal system?

Champaign, Urbana, Rantoul, and Savoy are among Illinois cities requiring permits. The vertical earth loop also needs a permit from the county health department.

What are some of Illinois’s codes regarding vertical loop installation?

Illinois Dept. of Public Health Setbacks for Closed Loop Wells:

It’s important to note some of these distances can be shorted if we use food-grade antifreeze.

  • Private Water Well: 75 Feet
  • Public or Neighbor’s Well: 200 Feet
  • Abandoned Water Well: 200 Feet
  • Septic Tank: 50 Feet
  • Sewer Pipe: 10 Feet
  • Leach Field: 75 Feet
  • Horizontal Loop Piping: Must Be 25 feet away from any water well

Why is geothermal so efficient?

Geothermal cooling and heating systems are very efficient, offering several energy benefits and cost savings. There are three main reasons.

The first is the constant temperature underground. Instead of moving hot air outside on a 100-degree day like an air conditioner does, we can move it underground, where it is a much cooler temperature. The same is true for days when it’s 0 degrees out. The greater the temperature difference, the more efficient the heat transfer is, resulting in less energy usage.

The second reason is that heat transfers occur between water instead of air. Imagine putting your hands into a 160-degree oven instead of 160-degree water. You will notice the oven air is warm, but you will pull your hands immediately out of the water. Heat transfer through water is 23.5 times more efficient than transferring heat through air.

The third main reason is that a geothermal heat pump does not have a defrost cycle like an air source heat pump. The defrost cycle results in lost efficiency because energy is used to remove ice rather than heating the home.

How do I find my underground earth loop?

Earth loops can be installed in several configurations depending on the space available. We provide customers with a layout of the loop field. It identifies the measurements and locations of each circuit length.

We recommend they keep this document and refer to it before digging near the loop. Sketching the loop location can be an additional reference. Some loop contractors also install metallic tape or tracer wire in the trench to assist in future locating.

Should I use programming with my geothermal system’s thermostat?

We do not always recommend it. If you have an all-electric geothermal system, turning the system up 2-4 degrees at one time will engage the electric heat strips. The electric heat strips running to adjust to the new temperature will significantly impact your energy usage.

Geothermal systems work best when the temperature is always left at one temperature.

Is maintenance required for the earth loop?

Regular maintenance of your geothermal system’s earth loop is not required. However, we recommend repressurizing the loop annually to maintain peak efficiency.

What is the difference between geothermal system installation and replacement?

Installing a geothermal system from scratch entails drilling or trenching for ground loops, installing the piping and connecting it to a heat pump, and filling the system with water and antifreeze mix. The installation is comprehensive and ensures the entire system setup is correct.

Replacement typically refers to removing an outdated heat pump and connecting a new one to the existing earth loop. Some loop maintenance is essential during a geothermal heat pump replacement. Flushing the loop removes sediment, air pockets, and other contaminants that can accumulate in the ground loop. After flushing, the loop is refilled with the correct mixture of water and antifreeze.

Why is loop flushing crucial during replacement?

Loop flushing ensures the new geothermal unit operates at optimal efficiency. Skipping this essential step leads to problems:

  •  Reduced Efficiency: Sediment and air pockets can reduce the heat transfer efficiency, leading to increased energy consumption and reduced heating and cooling capacity.
  •  Potential Damage: Debris in the loop can damage the new heat pump unit over time, leading to costly repairs or premature failure.
  •  System Performance: Flushing contaminants and filling the loop with the appropriate liquid are essential to maintain geothermal system longevity and performance.

How is a geothermal unit sized for my home?

Each home is different, so we perform complex calculations to ensure optimum unit size. An undersized unit will struggle to reach the thermostat set-point, while an oversized unit may short cycle and poorly dehumidify while cooling your home. We strive to get the size just right.

These calculations are based on square footage, insulation, windows, doors, infiltration, outdoor weather extremes, and many other factors.

Does my geothermal unit heat water?

Some units include a hot water assist component that can preheat water, raising the temperature by up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit and then delivering it to your water heater using a small pump.

A unit equipped with this component heats water more efficiently than your water heater and can provide energy savings whenever the hot water assist operates. The amount of hot water the hot water assist generates is a function of the mode and how long the unit runs. Over one year, it will produce 50 percent of your hot water needs.

Does a geothermal heat pump run longer than a gas furnace?

The time your unit spends heating or cooling is called run time. Geothermal heat pumps typically have longer run times than natural gas and propane furnaces because they deliver a consistent moderate air temperature.

Furnaces blow hotter air during shorter run times. The blasts of hot air, followed by a brief cool down and another round of high-temperature air, can cause hot and cold spots within your home. The frequent starting and stopping impacts system longevity.

Heat pumps minimize uneven temperatures and are less susceptible to wear associated with system starting and stopping.

What is a BTU?

One British thermal unit (BTU) is the energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. It is roughly equivalent to the amount of heat a wooden kitchen match generates when burned end to end.

Should I use my unit in continuous fan mode?

If you select this mode on your thermostat, your blower will operate constantly, even when the unit is not heating or cooling. The continuous fan mode can reduce hot spots or cold spots and improve indoor air quality (IAQ) by constantly mixing the air in your home.

Running a unit with an ECM blower in continuous fan mode is inexpensive. However, a continuous fan can sometimes increase the humidity in your home.

Should I shut a register in an unused room?

Some homeowners have unused rooms that may not require heating or cooling like the rest of the home. However, closing registers may reduce comfort without saving money in operating costs. Closing off one or more registers disrupts the airflow, creates an unbalanced system, and may decrease comfort levels in other rooms.

A zone control system is a better solution. It uses several thermostats and motorized dampers in your ductwork to deliver the desired temperatures and balanced airflow.

Can my geothermal system handle remodeling or room additions?

Your system is selected, designed, and installed based on your Champaign, IL, home’s existing heating and cooling requirements. It may be undersized for significant changes or additions.

If you are planning any remodeling that might affect the heating and cooling requirements, including adding more rooms, windows, or exterior doors, consult with your dealer to determine if the existing system is adequate.

Should I adjust the thermostat when entertaining a crowd?

When entertaining large numbers of people, the temperature in your home may rise considerably because of lights, appliances, and body heat. Set the thermostat fan setting to “on” to continuously circulate air throughout your home and minimize hot and cold spots.

What should I do if I accidentally cut the loop line in the yard?

If you cut a loop line in your yard, shut your geothermal system off immediately. Call Hoveln Heating and Cooling to make the repair. If your system is not repaired correctly, flushed, and have the appropriate amounts of water and antifreeze added, you may cause more damage to the unit and pumps.

How do I determine what size my loop is?

Normally, each loop equates to 1 ton of heating and cooling. For example, a 4-ton system will have four separate loops that tie into one header before entering your house.

Need HVAC Service?

Contact the experts at Hoveln Heating and Cooling, Inc.

Call us at 217-643-2125!