Geothermal Heat Pump Contractors

Specialized technical knowledge and equipment is needed to properly install the piping, so a geothermal heat pump system installation is not a do-it-yourself project. To find a qualified installer, contact your local utility company or the CaliforniaGeo for their listings of qualified installers in your area. Installers should be certified and experienced. Ask for references from owners of systems that are several years old, and check them.

The ground heat exchanger in a GHP system is made up of a closed or open loop pipe system. Most common is the closed loop, in which high density polyethylene pipe is buried horizontally at 4 to 6 feet deep or vertically at 100 to 400 feet deep. These pipes are filled with an environmentally friendly antifreeze/water solution that acts as a heat exchanger. In the winter, the fluid in the pipes extracts heat from the earth and carries it into the building. In the summer, the system reverses and takes heat from the building and deposits it to the cooler ground.

The air delivery ductwork distributes the heated or cooled air through the house’s ductwork, just like conventional systems. The box that contains the indoor coil and fan is sometimes called the air handler because it moves house air through the heat pump for heating or cooling. The air handler contains a large blower and a filter just like conventional air conditioners.  There are also water-to-water heat pump systems that provide radiant heating and cooling,  Finally, there are “combination” units that provide hot water for radiant heating, and cold refrigerant for ducted air cooling.

Homeowners: Most geothermal heat pumps are automatically covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy. Contact your insurance provider to make sure. Even if your provider will cover your system, it is best to inform them in writing that you own a new system.