FAQs Archive ⋆ Earth River Geothermal, Inc.

Q: Should I buy a heat pump large enough to heat with no supplemental heat?

Your contractor should provide a heating and cooling load calculation (heat loss, heat gain) to guide your equipment selection. Geothermal heat pumps are sized to meet your cooling requirements. Depending on your heating needs, a geothermal heat pump will supply 80-100 percent of your design heating load. Sizing the heat pump to handle your entire heating needs may result in slightly lower heating costs, but the savings may not offset the added cost of the larger heat pump unit. Also, an oversized unit can cause dehumidification problems in the cooling mode, resulting in a loss of summer comfort.

Q: Do I need to increase the size of my electric service?

Geothermal heat pumps don’t use large amounts of resistance heat, so your existing service may be adequate. Generally, a 200-amp service will have enough capacity, and smaller amp services may be large enough in some cases. Your electric utility or contractor can determine your service needs.

Q: I have ductwork, but will it work with this system?

In all probability, yes. Your installing contractor should be able to determine ductwork requirements and any minor modifications if needed.

Q: Can geothermal heat pump be added to my fossil fuel furnace?

Split systems can easily be added to existing furnaces for those wishing to have a dual-fuel heating system. Dual-fuel systems use the heat pump as the main heating source and a fossil fuel furnace as a supplement in extremely cold weather if additional heat is needed.

Q: Is a geothermal heat pump difficult to install?

With our team's expertise, we make it look easy; however, there are many difficult steps that comprise the process of installing a geothermal heating and cooling system. Several vertical wells must be dug, trenches must be dug, and ductwork must be installed in homes that don’t have an existing air distribution system. The difficulty of installing ductwork will vary and should be assessed by a contractor. Visit our gallery to see the process of installing a geothermal heating and cooling system!

Q: Can a geothermal heat pump also heat water?

Yes. Using what’s called a desuperheater, some types of geothermal heat pumps can save you up to 50 percent on your water-heating bill by preheating tank water. Desuperheaters are standard on some units, optional on others. Some geothermal models can provide all of your hot water needs on-demand at the same high efficiencies as the heating/cooling cycles.

Q: Will I have to add insulation to my home if I install one of these systems?

Geothermal heat pumps will reduce your heating and cooling costs regardless of how well your home is insulated. However, insulating and weatherizing are key factors in realizing the most savings from any type of heating and cooling system. You may wish to contact your utility for recommendations on your home.

Q: What are the components of a geothermal heat-pump system?

The three main parts are the heat-pump unit, the liquid heat-exchange medium (open or closed loop), and the air-delivery system (ductwork).

Q: I have a pond nearby. Can I put a loop in it?

Yes, if it’s deep enough and large enough. A minimum of six feet in depth at its lowest level during the year is needed for a pond to be considered. The amount of surface area required depends on the heating and cooling load of the structure.

Q: Can I install an earth loop myself?

It’s not recommended. In addition to the thermal fusion of the pipe, good earth-to-coil contact is very important for successful loop operation. Nonprofessional installations may result in less than optimum system performance.

19 10, 2019

Should I buy a heat pump large enough to heat with no supplemental heat?
Gallery
Should I buy a heat pump large enough to heat with no supplemental heat?

Should I buy a heat pump large enough to heat with no supplemental heat?

earthriver2021-08-18T13:35:53-04:00

Should I buy a heat pump large enough to heat with no supplemental heat?earthriver2021-08-18T13:35:53-04:00

19 10, 2019

Do I need to increase the size of my electric service?

earthriver2019-10-19T13:27:38-04:00

Do I need to increase the size of my electric service?earthriver2019-10-19T13:27:38-04:00

19 10, 2019

I have ductwork, but will it work with this system?

earthriver2019-10-19T13:26:43-04:00

I have ductwork, but will it work with this system?earthriver2019-10-19T13:26:43-04:00

19 10, 2019

Can geothermal heat pump be added to my fossil fuel furnace?

earthriver2019-10-19T13:25:52-04:00

Can geothermal heat pump be added to my fossil fuel furnace?earthriver2019-10-19T13:25:52-04:00

19 10, 2019

Is a geothermal heat pump difficult to install?

earthriver2019-10-19T13:24:58-04:00

Is a geothermal heat pump difficult to install?earthriver2019-10-19T13:24:58-04:00

19 10, 2019

Can a geothermal heat pump also heat water?

earthriver2019-10-19T13:16:14-04:00

Can a geothermal heat pump also heat water?earthriver2019-10-19T13:16:14-04:00

19 10, 2019

Will I have to add insulation to my home if I install one of these systems?

earthriver2019-10-19T13:15:35-04:00

Will I have to add insulation to my home if I install one of these systems?earthriver2019-10-19T13:15:35-04:00

19 10, 2019

What are the components of a geothermal heat-pump system?

earthriver2019-10-19T13:13:26-04:00

What are the components of a geothermal heat-pump system?earthriver2019-10-19T13:13:26-04:00

19 10, 2019

I have a pond nearby. Can I put a loop in it?

earthriver2019-10-19T13:12:25-04:00

I have a pond nearby. Can I put a loop in it?earthriver2019-10-19T13:12:25-04:00

19 10, 2019

Can I install an earth loop myself?

earthriver2019-10-19T13:11:18-04:00

Can I install an earth loop myself?earthriver2019-10-19T13:11:18-04:00