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5 Signs Its Time for Geothermal HVAC System Repairs
Geothermal HVAC systems offer numerous benefits when compared to conventional AC units. They are long-lasting, typically lower maintenance than your traditional HVAC system, and homeowners can gain 20 to 60% savings on heating and cooling. Although a geothermal system requires less maintenance, that doesn't mean problems will never arise. Like your air-to-air heating and cooling systems issues beyond thermostat setting, clogged filters, closed room grilles, there are instances when a service technician may be need.
Here are some signs that your geothermal HVAC system needs repairs from a professional technician.
1. Improper Heating and Cooling
A geothermal heat pump unit has some similarities to traditional systems. With a geothermal system much of the system's ability to heat and cool your home relies on heat transfer by refrigerant. However, with a geothermal or ground source heat pump the source of this heating or cooling is the consistent temperatures of the earth. Because the source for heating and cooling is more consistent a reduction in heating or cooling is definitely a sign of fault in the heat pump unit.
Electrical failure, a broken blower motor, and frosted coils could cause a malfunction in the heat pump. Though rare, leaky underground loops can also diminish the cooling and heating capacity of your geothermal system.
As with any other heating and cooling system it is absolutely important that the filter is checked and replaced on a regular basis.
2. Higher Electricity Bills
Geothermal systems are very energy efficient. Even an old geothermal pump is more efficient than a conventional electric furnace. Therefore, when you notice higher than usual electricity bills, something could be wrong. The heat pump's compressor or refrigerant coil could be the reason for improper heat pump operation and causing the backup electric resistant heat to take over.
Depending on the how extreme the outdoor temperatures, your geothermal system should be able to supply your home's heating by utilizing the heat pump. If temperatures outside have not been abnormally cold and your electric bill has increased significantly, it is time to call a trusted service technician to assess your geothermal system.
3. Problems with Humidity
Not only will high levels of humidity make your home uncomfortable in the summer months, but it can be damaging to your home and your health.
During the cooling process a geothermal system works to keep the humidity levels at a comfortable range, but a malfunctioning geothermal system can fail to dehumidify your home if there is improper airflow, issues with staging, refrigerant leak or if the system was improperly sized.
So if your home is not properly dehumidified when the system is set to cooling mode, you may need to have your heat pump checked.
4. Rattling Sounds in the Pump
When the geothermal heat pump powers on it will make a slight noise, which is the sound of the compressor kicking on, but shouldn't be much more than the sound of your refrigerator compressor. A loud rattling or grinding noise however, could be a sign of trouble. Unless you understand the mechanisms of a geothermal heat pump, you may not be able to diagnose the exact problem.
It can be an indication of a potentially serious mechanical problem which you, with the help of expert help, should resolve immediately before it escalates into costly repairs or replacements.
5. Burning Smell
You should never ignore burning smells in your home. There are many electrical components in a geothermal heat pump. If you smell something burning when your heat pump runs take action. Check to make sure that your system's air filter is correctly in place and clean. Check to see if the smell is throughout your home or isolated only in certain areas of the home. If there is not an obvious reason for the smell, turn your heat pump off call a HVAC technician.
Often, it is more practical and cheaper to repair individual parts of a geothermal heat pump than to replace the entire unit. Regular maintenance and timely repairs can help you avoid expensive replacements. It is critical that you work with a well-experienced technician to avoid escalating small issues to costly damages.
Contact Bryant today if your geothermal HVAC system needs repairs.