One of the greatest things about heating and cooling your Columbus home with a geothermal system is that it requires so little maintenance. The system’s relative simplicity accounts for that. Still, minimal maintenance isn’t the same as no maintenance. Keeping your system’s performance trouble-free and efficient calls for periodically checking the heat pump’s fluid levels and temperatures as well as replacing filters in both the air handling unit and the geothermal ground-loop system. Beyond that, annual maintenance service should be provided by the registered, qualified geothermal energy engineers at Patriot Air Comfort Systems. These binary efforts – yours and ours – can help guarantee that your compressors and circulation pumps keep going for a respectable 35 to 50 years, the estimated life of your geothermal system.
Make sure you consult your owner's manual for correct maintenance procedures. It’s enough to note here that inspecting fluid levels basically means checking on the amount of refrigerant needed to utilize the geothermal heat pump.
There are actually two filters in the air handling unit that require changing periodically: one in the discharge ducting, the other in the air return system. Both filters capture airborne particles collected throughout your home; particles on the order of dust, fluff, dust mites, insects, and smoke residue. In general, HEPA filters are used, but there are other types of acceptable filters that can be of benefit to those racked with allergies.
Geothermal system air filters are typically disposable. Switch them out them every three months. Permanent filters, which are cleanable with a vacuum-cleaner hose, should be taken out of the housing and cleaned every one to three months. Whether cleaning or replacing, it’s critical that you don rubber gloves, eye protection, and a face mask that covers your mouth and nose. It’s even more vital, however, that you cut the system off from all power sources beforehand!
For more information on maintaining your geothermal heating and cooling system, review your O&M Manual or
see the pros at Patriot Air Comfort Systems. We’re at your service!