Geothermal HVAC systems are a cost effective and environmentally friendly solution to your heating and cooling needs—it’s a common misconception that geothermal HVAC is only for heating. These systems actually provide both heating and cooling year-round. These systems can also heat water in addition to providing reliable temperature control.
The misconception probably comes from the name. We hear “geothermal” and we think about heat. Geothermal HVAC systems also have a heat pump as their primary component—but the heat pump is used to place hot air into the home as well as to take it out.
To learn more about how heat pumps and geothermal HVAC systems work, take a look at our blog post Understanding Heat Pumps: Efficient Year-Round Heating and Cooling and our dedicated page about geothermal HVAC systems. This should give you enough background information to see why these cost-saving heating and air solutions are becoming increasingly popular here in Northern Colorado and indeed throughout the country.
In today’s post, we’re going to take a look at the maintenance aspect of these systems. Geothermal HVAC systems are known for their very few maintenance needs, often needing little more than basic upkeep for many decades. Let’s learn why that is and what it means for you as a homeowner:
How Does the Lifespan of a Traditional HVAC System Compare to a Geothermal HVAC System?
While there are many different estimates and many different factors that must be considered regarding the lifespan of traditional heating and air systems, most experts would agree that the average falls somewhere between 10 and 25 years with proper preventative maintenance. We’ve seen more HVAC systems than you can count, and we’ve seen pretty much everything across the spectrum—with regular maintenance and quality equipment, 25 years and perhaps more is certainly possible for traditional HVAC systems.
A geothermal HVAC system has two primary components: the buried loop (again, see our post about how geothermal HVAC works for details) and the indoor components which include the fan, compressor, and pump. The indoor components generally have an expected lifespan of around 25 years or more, and the buried loop has a life expectancy of 55 years or more. With proper maintenance, we suspect these numbers to look even better as time goes by.
Why Do Geothermal HVAC Systems Require So Little Maintenance?
Geothermal HVAC systems require minimal maintenance and have a longer expected lifespan than traditional HVAC systems. The reason for this can be described in a single word: protection.
As we discussed previously, there are two primary components in a geothermal HVAC system: the buried loop and the components which are housed indoors. The buried loop has such a long lifespan and requires so little maintenance because it’s underground—the elements simply can’t beat on it anywhere near as much as a traditional above-ground HVAC system.
Similarly, the other components like the heat pump and compressor are housed indoors. They too won’t need to endure anywhere near as much wear and tear as outdoor components would. As long as your geothermal system has a proper installation and proper annual maintenance, you can expect reliable operation for many years—and decades.
Will Installing a Geothermal HVAC System Increase the Value of My Colorado Home?
As you already know, so many different things play a part in determining the amount of equity in your home. However, as we point out in our post Can HVAC Upgrades Improve Your Colorado Home Equity? a new, efficient HVAC system is a “critical improvement” for any homeowner looking to build equity.
This is because prospective buyers (and home auditors) are sure to check the condition of the home’s HVAC system. Having a geothermal HVAC system is a huge plus thanks to its energy efficiency and low maintenance requirements. If you’re considering selling or you have an investment property, it’s certainly something to think about!
How to Learn More About Geothermal & All Your Other HVAC Needs
The installation procedure for a geothermal system is absolutely critical. If improperly installed, the lifespan of the buried loop and other components can be severely decreased, causing unwanted expenses and unexpected problems.
That’s why we strongly recommend allowing our team of experts at Best Buy Heating and Air install your geothermal HVAC system for you—we have over 40 years of experience in the industry, use only the best Bosch heat pumps, and we’re all locals who live in the same Northern Colorado community as you do.
If you’d like to learn more, please feel warmly invited to call us at 970-218-0414 or contact us online.