General Geothermal Questions

1. How does a geothermal system work?
2. What makes a geothermal system different from conventional systems?
3. How efficient is a geothermal system?
4. What does geothermal mean to the environment?
5. Do geothermal systems require much maintenance?

Questions You Should Ask
About A New Geothermal
Heating System

1. What is the BTU size of the furnace that's being proposed?
2. Is the efficiency rating actual or just a manufacturer's average?
3. Will minimum entering water temperature have an affect on which heat pump I buy?
4. Are the dealer and loop installers qualified?
5. Will open- or closed-loop be best for me?
6. How long is the payback period for your geothermal heat pump system?
7. If a home has ceiling cable heat or baseboard heat, do air ducts need to be installed?
8. If I want to know more about geothermal heat pumps, whom should I contact?

Geothermal Heat Pumps:
What Are They and
How Do They Work?

1. What is a geothermal heat pump?
2. How does it work?
3. How is heat transferred between the earth and home?
4. Does it do both heating and cooling?
5. Do I need separate ground loops for heating and cooling?
6. What types of loops are available?
7. Does the underground pipe system really work?

Closed-Loop Geothermal Systems

1. What is a closed-loop system?
2. Where can this loop be located?
3. How deep and long will my trenches be?
4. How many pipes are in a trench?
5. What if I don't have enough room for a horizontal loop?
6. How long will the loop pipe last?
7. How are the pipe sections of the loop joined?
8. Will an earth loop affect my lawn or landscape?
9. Can I reclaim heat from my septic system disposal field?
10. Can I install an earth loop myself?
11. I have a pond near my home. Can I put a loop in it?

Open-Loop Geothermal Systems

1. What is an open-loop system?
2. What do I do with the discharge water?
3. How much groundwater does an open-loop system need?
4. What problems can be caused by poor water quality?
5. Does an open-loop system cause environmental damage?
6. Are there any laws that apply to open-loop installations?

Parts of the Geothermal System

1. What are the components of a geothermal heat pump system?
2. Are all geothermal heat pumps alike?
3. Will I have to add insulation to my home if I install one of these systems?
4. Can a geothermal heat pump also heat water?
5. Is a geothermal heat pump difficult to install?
6. Can a geothermal heat pump be added to my fossil fuel furnace?
7. I have ductwork, but will it work with this system?
8. Do I need to increase the size of my electric service?
9. Should I buy a heat pump to heat my home with no supplemental heat?
10. Do geothermal heat pumps have outdoor units?