GeoExchange

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GeoExchange systems require minimal servicing each year and have an exceptionally long lifespan.

System Longevity

• Residential heat pumps have lasted 35 years or more with minor maintenance.
• Underground loop piping is guaranteed for 25 years and expected to last over 50.

Routine Maintenance

• Annual servicing by a specialist
• Monthly air filter changes
• Rinsable and reusable electrostatic filters reduce cost further

Plumas, Lassen, Sierra and Washoe counties are ideal climates for GeoExchange technology, similar to the upper Midwest, Canada and Sweden.

A properly designed system can heat a well-insulated building in sub-zero weather where stored underground thermal energy averages 40°F or better.

Heat Transfer Principles

• Heat moves from warmer to cooler areas.
• Greater temperature differences increase heat-transfer rates.

Below the frost line (3 to 5 feet deep), ground temperatures in this region remain between 35 to 50°F, allowing ground source heat pumps to operate more efficiently than traditional systems.

Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative hired Efficiency Services Group, LLC (ESG) to evaluate GeoExchange performance in 2009.

eQuest 2000 SqFt. Model Findings

• Vertical GeoExchange is the most efficient method of heating a residence.
• Nearly 3 times as efficient as a propane furnace.
• Twice as efficient as a baseboard electrical system.

• Is a GeoExchange system right for me? Discuss your needs for heating and cooling your home, any variations in occupancy, and whether you should “zone” your system.
• Should I have the loops installed vertically or horizontally?
• What heating capacity (Btu per hour) does my home require and how is this determined?
• Will auxiliary heat be required for my home?
• What is the brand name and efficiency of the system?
• What type of duct system will be installed and what is the insulation value?
• How do you seal your ductwork and do you test to verify the seal?
• How many supply and return vents will be installed and what are their locations?
• Is my system a single or dual capacity unit?
• Is my blower (fan) motor standard or variable speed?
  There are many air filtration options available; discuss these with your contractor.
• Ask if your contractor has a maintenance plan and how much it will cost
• What type of warranty is provided with my system and what is covered?
• There are many options in thermostat control; discuss these with your contractor.
• What are the benefits of a de-superheater and should I install one?

• Make sure your system is installed by professionals who are licensed in California with no Contractor State License Board sanctions, and accredited by, and follow procedures established by, the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA).
• Ask contractor for references of GeoExchange systems they have previously installed. Visit or call these references to ask about their experience and obtain recommendations.
• Expect a site evaluation so your contractor can make the best recommendation. This should include checking ducts, insulation and other features for building heat loss, including heat loss calculations from Manual J Wright, or similar.
• Get a narrative description of the system design and mechanics, including a plot plan of borefield or horizontal loop trenching with pipe and depth information.
• Get written cost estimates from 2 or 3 contractors. Ask for a breakdown between equipment and labor and get clarification on any questions.
• Get a written contract (including all terms, costs and start-stop dates) and a copy of the warranty (on the system and the installation). Be sure to ask for an owner’s manual.
• Require an inspection/verification measurement of bores (after grouting) or trenches before covering.

Call Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative if you have any other questions or concerns.