Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing Blog: Archive for October, 2012

Geothermal Installation Steps

Monday, October 29th, 2012

Geothermal heating and air conditioning systems are starting to gain traction here in Gaithersburg. In addition to energy savings and environmental benefits, geothermal systems are also know for their durability.  But what are the actual steps to installing one of these systems? Conceptually, a geothermal system is not much different than a traditional central air conditioning system: it uses a pump to move refrigerant through a series of coils. But while most central AC systems use the outdoor air, a geothermal system uses the energy stored in the ground to provide both heating and cooling. Below we outline the installation steps that allow a geothermal system to do that.

Do you have the space?

With a geothermal system, a series of pipes need to be buried in the ground. When you contact your local geothermal specialist, this will most likely be their first order of business. The size of your house and your heating and cooling needs will determine how much piping will be necessary.

Vertical vs. Horizontal

You have the ground space required for a geothermal system, then you’ll need to start drilling and digging. The series of pipes can be laid out horizontally in the ground or they can be dug deeper into the ground and installed horizontally. The type of soil on your property and your space constrictions will determine which method your contractor uses.

The Heat Pump

At the heart of your geothermal system is a heat pump that will be extracting the heat from the refrigerant being pumped through the coils. The heat pump will blow air over a heat exchanger and then your ducts will carry the air through your home. Heat pumps are normally pretty compact and will most likely be placed in your basement or storage area. Your contractor will be able to recommend which brand or model of heat pump you should choose for your specific application.

Supplemental Equipment

A geothermal system works because of the temperature difference between the air in your home and the temperature of the ground. While the temperature in the ground remains relatively constant (around 55° F all year long) the temperature in your home can vary. If you live in an area with extreme cold or hot temperatures, your geothermal system might need some help to heat or cool your home. If this is the case for you, your contractor may recommend the installation of additional heating or cooling equipment to supplement the work of the geothermal loop.

If you’re curious about geothermal systems and would like more information about our geothermal services in Gaithersburg, then contact Tuckers Air Conditioning Geothermal heating and air conditioning systems are starting to gain traction here in Gaithersburg. In addition to energy savings and environmental benefits, geothermal systems are also know for their durability.& Heating today!

 

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Heating Maintenance Tasks for Furnaces, Boilers, Heat Pumps, and Geothermal Systems

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

Regular maintenance of your heating and air conditioning system is critical to extending the life of your equipment and keeping it running well. We’ve laid out some of the basic maintenance practices for furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, and geothermal systems.

Furnace Maintenance

Here are some essential tasks that need to be regularly performed on your furnace by a professional:

  • Check and replace the air filter
  • Check and clean the burner, ignition source
  • Check the flames for irregular movement or color
  • Check the flue for cracks, leaks or holes
  • Check the motor and fan blades for debris and obvious wear or repair needs

Boiler Maintenance

Boilers also need regular, professional maintenance. Here are some things your contractor will do:

  • Bleed radiators to release air bubbles
  • Check and clean burner
  • Check water and air levels in expansion chamber
  • Check for water leaks around the base of the boiler
  • Check pump, lubricate parts as necessary

Heat Pump Maintenance

Heat pumps typically have a condensing unit outside that needs regular, professional maintenance. Heat pump maintenance includes:

  • Changing air filters
  • Check refrigerant levels
  • Lubricate and clean all moving parts like fan motor, belts and blades
  • Check coils for leaks
  • Check drainage line and condensate pan for clogs or leaks
  • Visually inspect your duct system

Geothermal Maintenance

Though geothermal systems don’t need a lot of maintenance, there are some tasks that need to be performed by a professional regularly to keep them working efficiently.

  • They will change the air filter for your geothermal system
  • Check the refrigerant pressure gauges regularly to make sure that there isn’t a leak in your loop
  • Check and lubricate moving parts like fan motors, belts and blades
  • Visually inspect your ducts
  • Check condensation drain lines and the condensate pan for clogs and leaks

Regular professional maintenance is absolutely critical to your comfort. If you have questions about heating and air conditioning maintenance for your home in Gaithersburg, then call the experts at Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating today at 301-670-0034.

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Common Geothermal Heat Pump Repairs

Monday, October 8th, 2012

With a professional installation and routine maintenance geothermal heat pump systems are a great, efficient way to heat and cool your home. Like any other home comfort system, though, maintenance does not eliminate the need for the occasional repair. While maintenance can help to keep the need for repair service infrequent, minimally invasive and affordable, the fact of the matter is that your geothermal system will probably require some level of repair service during its lifespan. If you operate a geothermal heat pump system in Gaithersburg, it’s best to understand some of the more common repairs that geothermal heat pumps need.

  • Poor Installation – It is important that your heat pump is installed by qualified, professional technicians. If you have a new heat pump that is underperforming and cannot provide adequate heat the problem is not necessarily with the pump itself. The buried loop system may have been poorly designed and/or installed, causing the heat pump to function less effectively and efficiently than it should. A slinky installation, for instance, where the pipes are coiled to save space, can potentially absorb too much heat from too small an area. This makes it hard for the ground temperature to recover and forces your heating system to rely more heavily on an electrical backup, reducing efficiency. Make sure your installation is done right the first time.
  • Poor Air Flow – Like any forced air system, a geothermal heat pump using ductwork can suffer from poor air flow or distribution. There are a few potential causes for this problem ranging in seriousness. If you notice decreased airflow from your geothermal system check your air filters before taking any further action. If dirt and debris has collected on the filter to the point that air is encountering too much resistance to pass through simply replacing the filters may be all that is necessary to resolve the problem. If your filters are fine or if the problem remains after replacing the filters, call a professional technician. You may have faulty or damaged ductwork. Air leaks are a big problem with ductwork, and a professional duct repair technician can fix the issue and improve the efficiency and airflow of your system.
  • Breaker Trips During Operation – Tripping a circuit breaker here and there does not necessarily mean there is a problem with your heat pump or electrical system, but if it happens with any regularity you should consult a professional technician. There are a number of possible causes for this problem, from bad wiring to faulty connectors or even a compromised capacitor. Whatever the issue it is important that any maintenance and repairs on the geothermal system itself or your home electrical system are handled by professionals.

These are just a few examples of potential problems you may experience with your geothermal heat pump system. If you have a problem that we have not addressed or have any further questions about the geothermal system in your Gaithersburg home feel free to contact the professionals at Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating at 301-670-0034. We’re always happy to help.

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Is a Service Contract a Good Deal? A Heating Maintenance Question

Monday, October 1st, 2012

People often ask us whether a service contract is a good deal. Will that annual service plan actually save you money on things like heating and cooling and will your HVAC system last any longer by having such a contract in place? The answer varies depending on your HVAC system, its age, its current efficiency and the cost of your bills and frequency of repairs, but in almost every situation a service contract is a good deal and here is why.

  1. Increased Efficiency – On average, an HVAC system can drop between 10-25% in efficiency after two consecutive years of operation without a tune up. Tune ups remove unwanted dust and debris and make your system more efficient as a whole. That’s why it is highly recommended to have service performed on a contract each year.
  2. Peace of Mind and Reduced Repairs – With a service contract, you will know not only that someone will tune up your system once a year but that the tune up will be backed up by a guarantee and that if your system stops working for any reason, there is a professional on call to visit and repair the problem.
  3. Continuous Coverage from the Same Contractors – Another benefit of having a service contract is that the same person will perform repairs and tune ups on your system every year, ensuring that problems are noted over time and the same type of parts and same service is performed each time you have someone come out.

By having a service contract added to the maintenance of your home’s HVAC components, you not only ensure they will work properly when on but that they last longer and operate at a lower cost than if you had them replaced or had repairs performed frequently. We do offer service contracts for a wide range of different products, so if you’re interested in learning more, just give Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating a call today at 301-670-0034!

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