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Do Geothermal Heat Pumps Work in Cold Climates?

By Nordic

March 16, 2015

Heat Pump Installation

how does geothermal work
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When we talk with homeowners about geothermal heat pumps, we often encounter misinformation, misperceptions, and myths. One of the most common misperceptions is that geothermal heat pumps won’t provide enough heat for their home in the dead of winter. So we thought we’d put this myth to rest once and for all and answer “how does geothermal work in cold climates?” We’ll start with a look at the science behind geothermal heating in winter, and some of the reasons that have contributed to the incorrect belief that geothermal heat pumps don’t work in cold climates.

The Difference Between Air Source Heat Pumps and Geothermal Heat Pumps

The confusion about geothermal heat pump efficiency in winter stems from confusion about the difference between an air source heat pump and a geothermal heat pump. Air source heat pumps are very similar to geothermal heat pumps but differ in one fundamental aspect: their energy supply source.

Air source heat pumps harvest heat from the outdoor air. This energy supply source has pros and cons, and one of the cons is a loss of efficiency as the outdoor temperature drops. Here’s how it works: When the temperature drops in cold climates, there is less heat in the air, which means the air source heat pump has to work harder to harvest enough heat for your home. This decreases the heat pump’s efficiency. In some parts of the country it will get so cold that the air source heat pump can’t harvest enough heat from the air, and has to rely on backup heat sources such as electric baseboards to supplement.

The scenario above does not apply to geothermal heat pumps. Keep reading to find out how geothermal heat pumps maintain their efficiency in cold climates.

How Does Geothermal Work in Cold Climates?

In contrast to an air source heat pump, a geothermal heat pump harvests heat from the ground, which maintains a steady temperature below the frost line year round. This means that as the outdoor air temperature drops, your geothermal heat pump maintains its efficiency and continues harvesting heat as it normally would. You never have to use backup heat, and you’ll never be cold.

Now that we know how both types of heat pumps work in cold climates, let’s look at some of the reasons there is confusion about geothermal heat pump performance in winter:

Sizing a Geothermal Heat Pump for Winter Heating

One cause of confusion comes from how heat pumps are sized for winter heating in comparison to traditional heating systems like furnaces. Geothermal heat pumps are sized to provide just enough heat on the coldest day of the year and no more. So, on the coldest day of the year, the heat pump will need to run continuously to meet this demand. This won’t hurt your heat pump and is completely normal. This is very different from traditional furnaces, which are often over sized and so do not run continuously even on the coldest day of the year. Having your heat pump run continuously when you are accustomed to a traditional furnace can be off putting, but it’s entirely normal.

When Geothermal Heat Pumps Aren’t Properly Sized for Winter Heating

One of the biggest causes of the misinformation around geothermal heat pumps and winter heating is improperly sized systems.

There is a scenario when a geothermal heat pump would have trouble providing your home with enough heat in the dead of winter. This occurs when the heat pump or ground loop is not large enough and cannot provide enough heat to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, even when running continuously. In this case, you would need to rely on backup heat to stay comfortable. Since this backup heat is less efficient, you’ll see a corresponding spike in your utility bills.

This can occur if a geothermal heat pump installer does not select a heat pump that is large enough for your home, under sizes the ground loop, or both. This is occasionally done to save money or decrease the cost of the installation. We don’t recommend this practice and you should ask your installer whether this is a practice they engage in.

A geothermal heat pump can be a great asset to your home in cold climates. It will provide comfortable and efficient heat to your home, even in the dead of winter. In addition, there are no moving parts exposed to the outdoors, so you don’t have to worry components getting covered with snow or ice. Finally, they don’t lose efficiency and when sized correctly they don’t require backup heat. This makes them a great choice for cold climates. To learn more about whether geothermal is right for your home, find a dealer in your area.

Photo Credit

Comments

  1. Reply

    Wilson Pettipas

    March 26, 2015

    Hello, I would like to dig trenches and Install Piping myself after consulting a Professional for proper size, The pipe welding would have to be done by a professional or I could follow a training on it, I could then buy the proper size 2 Stage Thermal pump from the professional Company that I choose. I have the equipment and sufficient land to do it, No one seems to be able to tell me how many trenches for a 900sq ft home full basement, there must be an average so that I can have some idea, I believe a 3 ton unit should be sufficient, but again, everyone wants to keep everything a secret.
    I almost made the mistake of spending 5000.00 for a Air source heat Pump, which are not very efficient in this area. Now I am determined that I wil someday have a Geo-thermal system. I hope to find a dealer that will allow me to do the ground work, and purchace the Heat pump from him and possibly ducts for the basement.
    Any help would be appreciated.

    • Jordann Brown

      March 27, 2015

      Hi Wilson,

      In order to determine the size of heat pump you’ll need, you’ll need to get a heat load analysis done on your home. That’s the only way to accurately determine your heat pump size and thus your ground loop size. If you just “eyeball it” or use rules of thumb, you run the risk of undersizing your unit. As for installing a geothermal heat pump yourself, we certainly recommend you take either a IGSHPA training course or a CGC training course before attempting to do so. You should also know that having the heat pump installed by a non-certified installer voids most heat pump warranties.

      Where are you located? Perhaps we can suggest a dealer that would share the work with you on this project.

    • Patrick Morris

      March 29, 2015

      I installed my own with the instruction that were in the install book .four years and it is working fine

    • Jordann Brown

      March 30, 2015

      Hi Patrick,

      That is great news! I’m glad to hear you had success with your DIY geothermal installation. We make sure our manuals are very thorough so it’s good to see they are being put to good use.

  2. Reply

    Steve

    January 19, 2017

    I am doing some research in using geo thermal heat pump to heat and cool some large green houses my biggest question is my land is in a river valley after about a foot of top soil it is gravel and in winter the water table can be quite high. Am I going to lose heat because of the type of ground I burry my pipes in?

    • Jordann Brown

      January 19, 2017

      Hi Steve,

      If you have a lot of water in your area you could consider doing an open loop installation. It is a little more efficient more cost effective than a closed loop system. Use our Find a Dealer tool: http://www.nordicghp.com/find-a-dealer/ to contact a local installer who can assess your property and provide you with options.

  3. Reply

    Borislav Jocic

    February 14, 2017

    Hi Jordan. I would like to know who can perform heat load analysis, would you mind to explain how is that analysis performed…
    Thanks

    • Jordann Brown

      February 15, 2017

      Hi Borislav,
      Here is a great primer on heat load analysis (sometimes called a Manual J calculation): http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/how-perform-heat-loss-calculation-part-1
      Any qualified HVAC contractor should be able to perform this calculation using software.

  4. Reply

    Gary

    January 17, 2018

    How can I know if my loops are undersized ?
    In this very cold weather what is a low loop temp to avoid?
    I am at LWT now of 40.

    • Jordann Brown

      January 17, 2018

      In most mid and northern areas of the US and in all of Canada it is necessary to condition the loop fluid by the addition of some type of antifreeze solution so that it will not freeze during operation in the winter months. This antifreeze is required because the loop fluid will normally reach a low entering temperature of 28°F to 32°F (-2°C to 0°C) and refrigerant temperatures inside the heat pump’s heat exchanger may be as low as 20°F (11°C) cooler.

  5. Reply

    Samara Robertson

    February 07, 2018

    I have had Geo for three years. I purchased the home with it already installed. I live in an OLD home but we have all new blown in insulation, spray foam basement and attic and some indow windows. I installed a wood stove and we still had insane electric bills this winter. I had my heating company to a detailed analysis on the unit and pump. The one thing they came back with that they think will solve “all my problems” is putting the unit in an enclosed insulated mechanical room. The basement definitely drops below 60 degrees during the winter. It isn’t awful down there with the spray foam but I live in NH and we had a very cold snap of temps averaging 0. Could this really be the issue? My system is too cold to work properly? I am about to spend abother 3,000$ on insulation but when I saw this report I think that maybe I have figured out the issue. HELP!

    • Jordann Brown

      February 08, 2018

      Hi Samara,
      Is this a Nordic unit? If so, you can submit a technical support inquiry through our contact form. Make sure to include your heat pump’s serial number and model number.

      While I can’t diagnose your heat pump’s problems over the internet, the temperature of the room does not affect the heat pump’s ability to work. That said, uninsulated ductwork going through an unheated space will cause high heat loss.
      Another common cause of unexpectedly high bills is the backup heat running when not intended.

  6. Reply

    Jonell

    February 21, 2018

    We purchased a home that already had Geo-thermal installed. I just received my electric bill for the last 30 days, and it is $450. We had about 2 weeks of temps in the 0-20 degree range, about a week of temps above 40 and a week of temps in the 20-40 degree range. This bill seems awfully high for a supposedly highly efficient unit. The unit is a Water Furnace unit, and I’m wondering if it was never sized correctly? We live in the Northwestern corner of Ohio. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

    • Jordann Brown

      February 21, 2018

      Hi Jonell,

      Unfortunately, we can’t offer technical support on heat pumps that don’t carry the Nordic brand. It’s possible that the heat pump is undersized and during those cold temperatures the backup heat provided supplemental heat. Backup heat is very inefficient and similar to heating your house with electric baseboards heat. That’s why we always recommend the size the heat pump to 100% of the heat load.

  7. Reply

    Robert Reynolds

    June 26, 2018

    Hi
    Can anyone provide feedback regarding “return on investment” analysis done for residential closed loop (vertical bore or water source).
    I too like the sound of geo thermal. I understand the thermodynamic theory behind it, but am not able to see any cost analysis. With an industry so big why not build two identical homes on spec and heat them differently to compare. So far I cannot locate any real data other than industrial applications that work. Please help, I intend to build next year. Thanks RR

    • Jordann Brown

      June 26, 2018

      Hi Robert,
      Based on our published capacity ratings, the same heat pump produces about 30% more heat on an open loop system than a closed loop system. You can use that as a baseline for your cost analysis.

  8. Reply

    Chuck Anders

    August 07, 2018

    I am doing some research on having Geo/thermal Heating and AC installed in my Camp in the Adirondack Mtns of upstate NY. We do get -20 degree temps up there and I am worried that the system will not heat to the needed temp? We have a contractor who is going to be doing an addition to our camp and he suggests the system. Any advice

    • Jordann Brown

      August 08, 2018

      Hi Chuck,
      As long as the geothermal heat pump is sized correctly for the entire heat load of the home, it will have no problem providing enough heat even in frigid temperatures. Unlike air source heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps do not lose efficiency in cold weather.

  9. Reply

    Keith

    October 10, 2018

    Replacing our geo with natural gas. Previous owner installed geo, it was undersized and not only can’t the system keep up and outrageous bills, but loop underground actually so cold / semi freezes such that we get back pressure and water spills out of the top of our open canister when it’s really cold outside. Then when it warms up outside the loop expands back, water in the canister drops below the pumps which trips the pumps and then in emergency heat only. A four year nightmare

    • Jordann Brown

      October 11, 2018

      Hi Keith,

      It definitely sounds like your system wasn’t installed correctly. I’m sorry to hear you are having these problems with your system. Correctly sizing both the heat pump and the ground loop is of paramount importance in order for the system to work correctly.

  10. Reply

    Paul Duval

    October 19, 2018

    If my water well pipe for my house is deep enough for a properly sized geothermal system can I use the same well?

    • Jordann Brown

      October 19, 2018

      You can use the same source for your geothermal system and your potable water, provided you have sufficient flow to supply both the heat pump and your domestic water usage. Flow requirements are listed in the product manuals.

  11. Reply

    Michelle

    November 13, 2018

    Wow I am interested in the geothermal system and have been reading up in it. Reading several people stating there electric bills are outrageous is very concerning when reports state your electricity shoe less. Also our land has a lot of ledge. Would this be a problem I. Installing the system? Thank you

    • Jordann Brown

      November 13, 2018

      Hi Michelle,
      If you currently have oil heating, then yes, your electricity bill will go up, but you’ll eliminate your oil bill entirely.
      If you already have electric resistance heating (like baseboard heat) than your electricity bill should decrease significantly.
      If a homeowner called us reporting that their electricity bills are very high, the reason is usually that the heat pump is not functioning properly, because higher heating bills is not normal. Usually, electricity bills are higher because the heat pump is relying on electric backup heating. If the heat pump is not functioning properly, it may be because it needs to be repaired, or because it was not installed correctly in the first place. This highlights the importance of choosing the right heat pump installer.

      With regard to your question about your geological conditions, a local installer would be the right person to contact about that. They can assess your property and determine if geothermal heating is an option for you. You can find a local dealer by using our Find a Dealer tool: https://www.nordicghp.com/find-a-dealer/

  12. Reply

    dale

    December 28, 2018

    Our Carrier Geothermal closed loop unit was installed about 5 years ago (model 50YDV038KCB311) Was told that Carrier stopped selling Geothermal as they were not that popular. They drilled down 450′. We have the optional hot water tank and humidifier. The humidifier has not worked properly from day one. The HVAC company has tried to remedy it, but basically gave up on it. Extra hot water is good in the summer, but is needed more in the winter. It works really great in the summer, but the aux heat comes on when the temp drops below 30 degrees in the winter. we live in VA. it does get cold, but nothing like upstate NY. We are happy with it. Although our electric bill is around 250-300/mo, it has gone as high as 600 in the colder months.

    • Jordann Brown

      January 02, 2019

      It sounds like your heat pump might be slightly undersized for the heat load in the winter, which is a common practice by installers to decrease the upfront cost of the installation, with the trade-off being higher utility bills. We do not recommend this practice because it results in your complaints. A properly sized geothermal heat pump system should run 24 hours a day on the coldest day of the year with no auxiliary heat required.

  13. Reply

    Bill George

    January 12, 2019

    I live in Sioux Lookout Ontario Canada. I have a geothermal unit to the lake. I am wondering what the water temperature should be set at. We have very cold winters but I don’t know what the water temperature should be at. Should it be higher or lower. I have two units one for infloor the other for forced air. Any info would be great.

    • Jordann Brown

      January 14, 2019

      Hi Bill,
      Do you have Nordic heat pumps? If so, please email info@nordicghp.com with the model numbers and serial numbers of your heat pumps, and we’d be happy to provide you with technical assistance.

  14. Reply

    Tom Luthman

    January 30, 2019

    When auxiliary heat comes on does The geothermal heating process stop?

    • Jordann Brown

      January 30, 2019

      Hi Tom,

      The auxiliary heat should only come on when the geothermal heat pump is not operational. If the geothermal heat pump is undersized, then the auxiliary heat and the geothermal heat pump should run together to heat your home.

  15. Reply

    Gentry Rouse

    April 30, 2019

    Hello –

    I am looking into learning more about geothermal and had a couple of general questions:

    Lets say: Average 2000sq ft house in mid-state NY. Using a closed loop,vertical system.

    1. How deep of wells would need to be drilled?
    2. I keep reading about a auxiliary heat system built in as backup if the geothermal system pumps stop working, is that correct? And what exactly is the heat source then?
    3. What is the cost, installed, of such a system – on average or a range?
    4. This can be used for A/C too – and you don’t need a condenser, correct?
    5. In what situation would a geothermal system not make sense? Ie; what type of geological surface? Or what climate/temperature would such not be ideal?
    6. Do you put antifreeze in the pipes in a closed loop? If so, does this present environmental issues? What is the risk/redundancy to ensure leakage doesn’t occur?
    7. On a open loop system, what is the geological surface supposed to look like? what is the risk to the water supply?
    8. When does a horizontal, closed loop system need to be used vs vertical? What depth does the horizontal need to be installed in ground?

    Thank you in advance for the information.

    • Jordann Brown

      April 30, 2019

      Hi Gentry,
      Thanks for all of your questions! I’m going to reply to you via email.

  16. Reply

    Carmen Smith

    June 21, 2019

    Hi Jordann,
    I have the same questions as the person above and live in the same general region. Can you forward the answers to the above questions to me or post them on this forum?
    Thank you so much!

    • Jordann Brown

      June 21, 2019

      Hi Carmen, I emailed a copy of the answered questions to you.

  17. Reply

    Michael MacFadden

    June 27, 2019

    Hi Jordann, I live in Nelson, BC and I am interested in a geoheating system. Could you also forward the answers to Gentry’s questions to me as well. Thanks, much appreciated!

    • Jordann Brown

      June 28, 2019

      Certainly, Michael!

  18. Reply

    Maxine Sorrell

    July 06, 2019

    HI Jordann…..could you also forward the answers to Gentry’s questions to me as we are interested as well. We live in east central Saskatchewan where temps. get to -30+ Celcius in the winter, sometimes for weeks at a time. Can geothermal work under those conditions? Thank you for you time. Also, could you recommend the names of some companies in Saskatchewan?

    • Jordann Brown

      July 08, 2019

      No problem, Maxine! You should have that response in your inbox.

  19. Reply

    Adam Wais

    August 11, 2019

    How would I no if he install enough vertical loops and the right size heat pump in a house that is 2600 sq ft with a full size basement because after reading all the reviews about a higher electric bill is not good because this is very costly to be put in .So could you give me some advice on this thank you.

    • Jordann Brown

      August 12, 2019

      Hi Adam,
      If you’re referring to an existing installation, your installer should have submitted information to you or the previous homeowner regarding the size and length of the loop system. There are many other technical issues that could cause a higher heating bill, so if you are experiencing that, your first step should be to have the heat pump serviced by a qualified contractor.

  20. Reply

    Abhijat Goyal

    August 16, 2019

    Hi,

    the ground temperature in my area is 68 degrees at 20-50 feet below surface.

    This means in Winter, when temperature drops to 25-30C, the maximum the goethermal unit will be able to heat the house will be to 68 degrees and no more. If I want the house to be at 72 degrees, the backup heating has to kick in. Am I thinking correctly?

    Thanks,

    Abhijat.

    • Jordann Brown

      August 27, 2019

      No, this is not correct. Geothermal heat pumps work by taking a large volume of low-temperature heat and compressing it into a small volume of high-temperature heat. Groundwater in Atlantic Canada (our base of operations) is as low as 45F, and here heat pumps have no problem keeping homes and businesses at 72F or higher.

      If you choose a geothermal ground loop, the entering liquid temperature is even lower, close to freezing, but the same principle applies.

  21. Reply

    Paul Rogers

    December 31, 2019

    Hi Jordan,
    We are building a home approx. 1800 to 2000 sf. 2×6 construction with extra rigid insulation on exterior. Location is upper state New Hampshire. Will use the best and most appropriate insulation for all areas of the home. We will need to drill a well for water and we are wondering if the drilling of the well will keep the cost of a geothermal well lower because of this? Also, we are being told the a 3 ton system would be sufficient. Any thoughts and insight regarding cost etc would be very helpful.

    • Jordann Brown

      January 03, 2020

      Hi Paul,
      You can certainly use your domestic water well as your source well for your geothermal system, provided you have enough flow. There are charts in our product manuals that indicate the minimum required flow to serve both your geothermal and domestic water needs. This is an excellent way to reduce the overall cost of your geothermal heat pump system.

  22. Reply

    Christopher Oudshoorn

    January 01, 2020

    I am thinking of putting in a open loop cause we are on a small “deep” private lake with no restrictions in Saskatchewan . When I measured underground temperature during a recent excavation near us using a infrared heat gun (immediately after bucket of clay removed) I found it to be constant around 6.5 C at 20 feet deep.
    I have found lake bottom temp to be just above 5C in late December at 20 feet deep water over a 5’ deep layer of soft mud.
    Which would be the most efficient for our area, lake open loop, lake closed loop, or ground loop?
    I am quite concerned that an open loop my freeze the pipes on exit if the unit takes more than 5 degrees out in the process!
    Chris in Saskatchewan

    • Jordann Brown

      January 03, 2020

      Hi Chris, lake open loops are not normally a good idea, due to organic materials in the water leading to heat exchanger fouling (plugging up). Instead, you should consider a lake loop, a ground loop, or drill a water well for an open loop.

  23. Reply

    John

    January 24, 2020

    Hiya!
    I have a Bosch geothermal system that hasn’t worked quite right since installation. It is a 6000sf tight house with 3 zones. When the main level is running, the heat is weak, but when the basement AND main level are on, the house heats right up. Is this a thermostat problem or is it related to stages maybe?

    • Jordann Brown

      January 24, 2020

      Hi John,
      Thanks for your inquiry, unfortunately, we can only provide technical support for Nordic products.

  24. Reply

    Rene Archambault

    February 04, 2020

    Jordan, we are building a new house in Colorado mountains, rarely does it get to -10 f or colder anymore. We have two 400’ wells for geothermal. Will staple up underfloor tubing with metal fins work as opposed to putting tubes in gypcrete? Thanks Rene

    • Jordann Brown

      March 02, 2020

      Hi Rene,
      We do not recommend in-joist tubing for geothermal heat pumps because their hot water output is sometimes too low to radiate enough heat. You can double-check this by making sure the product you are considering is rated for 105F hot water (most require hotter water).

  25. Reply

    Lance Nicholson

    February 07, 2020

    I have a home in Grand Lake Colorado at an elevation close to 8700′
    It’s very cold at times like right now -25 and i’m wondering if geo-thermal is a wise choice to try and heat the house and water heater?

    • Jordann Brown

      March 02, 2020

      Hi Lance, do you mean -25C or -25F? Either way, as long as the ground loop/open loop is properly sized and constructed, geothermal should work fine, even in very cold temperatures.

  26. Reply

    Levi Armstrong

    May 15, 2020

    I like that you said geothermal heat pumps gather heat energy from the ground, which means that you would still feel warm in your homes even when the temperature outside drops. I’m looking for an HVAC unit to install in our new vacation home, and it seems like getting a geothermal heat pump would be the right fit. Our vacation home is by a lakeside that freezes during winter. Perhaps I should contact a geothermal contractor to get one installed soon. Thanks for this!

    • Jordann Brown

      May 26, 2020

      I would recommend you contact a dealer via our Find a Dealer tool.

  27. Reply

    Joe petersen

    May 26, 2020

    Hi, on April 30,2019 Gentry Rouse asked very good questions, many of the same that I have and you said you would send an email of the responses. Would you kindly send your responses to those general questions about geothermal to me as well?
    I am very seriously considering replacing my 31 year old oil hot air system with geothermal.
    Here are the questions: Lets say: Average 2000sq ft house in mid-state NY. Using a open loop, 2 well system

    1. How deep of wells would need to be drilled?
    2. I keep reading about a auxiliary heat system built in as backup if the geothermal system pumps stop working, is that correct? And what exactly is the heat source then?
    3. What is the cost, installed, of such a system – on average or a range?
    4. This can be used for A/C too – and you don’t need a condenser, correct?
    5. In what situation would a geothermal system not make sense? Ie; what type of geological surface? Or what climate/temperature would such not be ideal?
    6. Do you put antifreeze in the pipes in a closed loop? If so, does this present environmental issues? What is the risk/redundancy to ensure leakage doesn’t occur?
    7. On a open loop system, what is the geological surface supposed to look like? what is the risk to the water supply?
    8. When does a horizontal, closed loop system need to be used vs vertical? What depth does the horizontal need to be installed in ground?
    Thank you,

    • Jordann Brown

      May 26, 2020

      1. How deep of wells would need to be drilled?

      For open loops, the depth of the well is less important than the well water temperature, water quality, and flow. A minimum flow is required to supply enough water to the heat pump for it to extract enough heat from the water before discharging it into a second well. You’ll need between 12 and 21 gpm.

      2. I keep reading about a auxiliary heat system built in as backup if the geothermal system pumps stop working, is that correct? And what exactly is the heat source then?

      We recommend that all heat pumps be installed with an auxiliary heat system that will kick in if the heat pump stops working. The heat source is electric resistance heating.

      3. What is the cost, installed, of such a system – on average or a range?

      The range varies dramatically depending on whether you go with an open or closed loop, or a horizontal or vertical loop, and how much modification needs to be done to your home’s heat distribution system. The system cost can range from $10,000 – $30,000.

      4. This can be used for A/C too – and you don’t need a condenser, correct?

      All of our heat pumps are reversible to provide cooling. In this case, the heat pump collects heat from the home and puts it into the ground loop/water. No outdoor condenser is required.

      5. In what situation would a geothermal system not make sense? Ie; what type of geological surface? Or what climate/temperature would such not be ideal?

      Some areas that are heavily rock (hard to drill through) or sand (poor conductivity) or cramped (small city lot) may not be ideal for geothermal. Some cities and towns have bylaws against open loop systems. A local installer can assess your conditions.

      6. Do you put antifreeze in the pipes in a closed loop? If so, does this present environmental issues? What is the risk/redundancy to ensure leakage doesn’t occur?

      In most mid and northern areas of the US it is necessary to condition the loop fluid by the addition of some type of antifreeze solutions so that it will not freeze. It’s required because the loop fluid may reach temperatures below freezing. Propylene glycol is used which is a food grade antifreeze that is non toxic. There are no environmental risks because the ground loop is joined by fusion and will not leak. Ground loops are designed to last for 50 years.

      7. On a open loop system, what is the geological surface supposed to look like? what is the risk to the water supply?

      I’m not sure what you mean by geological surface. There is no risk to the water supply on an open loop system because the heat pump does not treat or alter the water in any way. The water is simply circulated through the heat pump, a few degrees of heat are removed, and it is then dumped into a rejection well.

      8. When does a horizontal, closed loop system need to be used vs vertical? What depth does the horizontal need to be installed in ground?

      A horizontal system is less expensive to install than a vertical system, so is usually the first choice for homeowners. It is installed at least 6 feet below the surface of the ground. The loops are 150 feet long and 10 feet apart. A vertical system is chosen if there isn’t sufficient space for a horizontal system.

  28. Reply

    marcel gallant

    October 19, 2020

    Hi Jordan,

    We live in Shediac NB Canada. We had a Nordic R 65 geothermal vertical closed loop heat pump installed this spring. Is it recommended to lower the thermostat by four degrees (from 22C to 18 C) during the cold winter nights in order to save on our energy bills? or will the system use more energy in the morning to bring the house back to 22 C? or should we keep the same inside temperature day and night?

    • Jordann Brown

      October 20, 2020

      Hi Marcel,
      The best way to determine whether you should reduce the temperature overnight is to track the run-time in both scenarios. If your heat pump has to run longer overall to bring the home back up to temperature in the morning, then reducing the air temperature by four degrees will not be more beneficial overall. Most smart thermostats have an online interface that tracks run-time. I’d recommend you start there.

  29. Reply

    Bruce

    March 21, 2021

    have a 4 block heat pump on geothermal closed
    ground loop. House is 2200 sq ft and sloped atic
    of 900 sq ft with R30 in attic, but R 6 in house
    side walls. Max temp seems to be 68-69F on
    2 stage pump. Was installed in March 2021 when
    20-25F outside. Would that be a factor in not
    heating to 74-5F as promised?

    • Jordann Brown

      March 22, 2021

      Hi Bruce, is this heat pump a Nordic unit? We can only offer technical support on Nordic units.

  30. Reply

    Thanh Truong

    November 28, 2021

    In cold climates such as MN, the mean earth temperature is roughly about 45 degrees all year round. If you have this temperature under your soil, the maximum you can draw from the earth is 45 degrees. Let say your thermostat is set at 70 degrees. This means that you need energy to boost up 25 degrees continuously to make up the difference. Whereas, in conventional gas furnace, it circulates the indoor air (not from the outdoor) back to the furnace for cooking, through venting, at maybe 65-68 degrees. So you need energy to make up only 2-5 degrees, which is a lot less than 25 degrees in geothermal system.
    I can see geothermal system works well for cooling but not for heating, in cold climates.
    In Central Florida, the mean earth temperature is about 75 degrees all year round. I can see the geothermal system works well for both heating and cooling, keeping indoor temperature at 75 degrees all year round.

    • Dan Rheault

      April 08, 2022

      Hi, sorry, Jordann departed and no one checked the blog for a long time!

      Heat pumps are a well established technology that accomplish the task of moving heat from a lower temperature place (outdoor air or ground) to a higher temperature place (inside your house). They do this by using a vapour compression refrigeration cycle. It can be hard to wrap your head around for sure, but I encourage you to keep studying the topic using online resources if you want to understand it better.

  31. Reply

    Tammie J Smith

    January 22, 2022

    I have a Climate Master Unit. The weather here in Iowa has been dropping below zero a lot lately.
    The unit will run constantly even when the thermostat is at temperature. The house does not overheat. Is this the heat pump doing what it is supposed to do? When the weather is normal winter temps and not artic conditions it runs normal. Does this sound like normal.

    • Dan Rheault

      April 08, 2022

      Hi, sorry, Jordann departed and no one checked the blog for a long time!

      Heat pumps should run all day on cold days, since they should be sized very close to 100% of the coldest day heat load or a bit less. As for it running when the house is at temperature, this is up to the thermostat. Different thermostats have different algorithms; you may be able to tweak yours under its installer settings.

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