Tips For Maintaining Your Geothermal Heat System
If you've opted for a geothermal heating system to help control your overall heating costs, you need to understand the maintenance requirements to keep the system working at its best. While geothermal heating systems don't require extensive maintenance, there are a few things you should be attentive to. Here are four things you should monitor to properly care for your geothermal heating system.
1. Check the Antifreeze Level
Geothermal heat systems use antifreeze or water to circulate through the underground pipes. For the system to work correctly, you need to have the proper level of fluid in the system. Since the antifreeze is what is responsible for absorbing and transporting the thermal energy in your home, this isn't a step you should overlook. To test the antifreeze levels, you'll need to know what the pressure reading should be. Your installation technician can tell you what the pressure level should be in the system, and you should either check it or have it checked a couple of times a year.
2. Clear the Dust and Debris
Dirt and dust can be damaging to the blower motor, heat exchanger and other components of a geothermal heat system. Make sure that you keep all of the areas around your heat pump as clean and clear as possible to avoid dirt buildup and other issues.
3. Clean and Care for the Air Ducts
Just like with a traditional heating system, you need to be sure that the air ducts are clear and free of dust for the system to work properly. You'll also want to be sure that your ducts are sealed properly and free of any leaks. Otherwise, the heat produced will simply be lost to those gaps, cracks and other problems.
4. Inspect the Piping for Damage
The piping used for the underground loops shouldn't require much, if any, maintenance. What they will require, though, is routine inspections for leaks and damage. Fluid pressure tests can help to identify this, because the fluid pressure will drop if there's a leak in the system. Then, the technician can use a laser inspection tool or something similar to evaluate the condition of the pipes and find the location of the break. This is important, because these pipes are a vital part of your geothermal heating system.
Although the requirements are minimal, these regular maintenance tips will help you keep your heating system working at its best. Talk with a local heating contractor for more advice to keep your system running properly.
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