Purchasing A System

To ensure they receive the highest-quality equipment, system design and installation, consumers should consider the following guidelines when shopping for a GeoExchange system:

Ratings and Certification: Look for equipment that is certified by the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), a non-profit organization that rates the performance of residential and small commercial GeoExchange equipment. Certified equipment carries the ARI seal.

Warrantees: Manufacturers’ terms of warranty vary. To assure a high-quality installation, seek a performance guarantee on the installed system, as opposed to coverage limited to the heat pump itself.

Sizing: GeoExchange systems that are too large waste energy and do not provide proper humidity control. Check to see that the contractor carefully determines your home’s heating and cooling requirements using accepted procedures, such as those recommended by the Air Conditioning Contractors Association. The actual size of the system should be within 15 percent of the calculated load.

System Design: While designing a residential GeoExchange system is not particularly complicated, always use experienced contractors. The contractor should carefully select the size of the GeoExchange system, the size and design of the loop, and the type of fluid that will circulate through it. The contractor should also examine ways to use the GeoExchange system to provide hot water. Finally, the contractor should examine your home to ensure the ductwork is designed and installed properly to prevent leaks, as well as to ensure it is properly insulated and has window glazing and other energy-efficiency features. Minimizing heating and cooling needs reduces the required size, hence the cost, of the GeoExchange system.