Posts Tagged ‘Geothermal Replacement’

Steps Involved With Geothermal Replacement

Friday, September 12th, 2014

One of the benefits of a geothermal heating and cooling system is that they last a long time. The ground loop has a lifespan of 25-50 years, and the heat pump has a lifespan of 20-25 years. With this much durability, it is very possible to have air conditioning (and heating) in Portland, OR for a full generation. But, if you’ve moved into a home with an older system, the possibility exists that you may have to replace some part of your geothermal system, and the part most likely to need replacing first is the heat pump. Heat pumps are complex devices, and anyone conducting repairs on a ground-source heat pump really needs to understand how the system works. This is why it’s important to call knowledgeable professionals, like the ones at Clean Air Act, for all your repair and replacement needs.

Replacing a Ground-Source Heat Pump

Geothermal heat pumps, also called ground-source heat pumps, have a replacement process similar to an air-source heat pump, but the connections differ due to the ground-source system. Here is a general overview of the ground-source heat pump replacement process:

  • The technician will disconnect all power to the heat pump
  • The technician will locate all pipes coming into the heat pump from the outside and turn off all valves
  • The technician will disconnect the pipes from the outside that connect to the heat pump
  • The technician will remove the heat pump and any separate parts, such as separate heat exchangers
  • The new heat pump will be put in place
  • The connections to the new heat pump will be checked and additional piping added if needed
  • The technician will connect the new heat pump to the outside connections
  • Once connected, the technician will bleed out any extra air by opening the valves
  • The technician will also add any water/anti-freeze to the system if needed
  • Mechanical tests will be run to ensure the heat pump has been installed correctly
  • Power is restored to the heat pump
  • The technician will run electrical tests of the new heat pump
  • The system will be started and tested

Ground Loop Replacement

It is rare for a homeowner to have to replace a full ground loop, but in case it does happen, the process is fairly quick. Since the original loop is already in place, there is no extra work determining where the loop should go; the technicians will excavate where the current loop resides. The most costly aspect of replacing a ground loop is the digging.

Geothermal replacement needs are pretty rare, but if you do need it, call the Portland, OR air conditioning experts you can count on: Clean Air Act.

When to Replace Parts of Your Geothermal System

Tuesday, September 4th, 2012

A geothermal system isn’t much different from other Portland heating and air conditioning systems in that it will require regular preventive maintenance visits, may need repairs on occasion, and eventually certain components will need to be replaced. But when will those replacements be needed and how will they compare to the frequency of part replacement on systems such as those for a furnace or air conditioner?

 The Condenser

A geothermal system may draw heat from a unique source, but the technology used to extract that heat and distribute it throughout your home is largely the same as in a traditional heat pump or air conditioner. So, you will have a condenser unit outside your home, coils inside your home and an air handler to distribute the air that is heated or cooled.

Each of these components needs to be properly maintained over a period of time to keep it from breaking down but there will be times when certain things need to be replaced. For reference, the average condenser unit has a limited warranty of up to 10 years. The system will likely last beyond that if well maintained, but it will probably need replacement sometime between 10 and 15 years of age.

Your indoor coils will likely last longer, though if they are not cleaned properly or if your system runs a lot, they may need replacement between 15 and 20 years. The air handler is different because different models are rated for different lengths of time, but it should be inspected and checked as often as your condenser and replaced when it gets old.

 Other Components

For the most part, the piping installed under your property to gather geothermal energy is likely going to last for many years – between 20 and 30 in most cases. However, there are situations in which piping may need to be replaced. Root growth from a nearby tree, damage from a natural disaster or improper installation of the system can all lead to early replacement.

Whatever your Portland geothermal component replacement needs, make sure you take action as soon as you suspect a problem to minimize the potential cost of such replacements. Call The Clean Air Act, Inc today for service!