Problems In Geothermal HVAC Systems That Need Urgent Air Conditioning Repair | Dallas, TX
Geothermal heating and cooling systems depend on ground temperatures ranging from 45°F (7°C) to 75°F (21°C) to heat and cool your home, providing a solution to the high energy consumption of conventional HVAC systems.
Even though they are more durable, save energy and reduce pollution, geothermal systems are also prone to break down or malfunction when least expected, especially in the wee hours of the day. Since they have buried loops that supply conserved earth heat to and from your house during winter and summer, identifying and diagnosing the issues can be complex.
It is appropriate to get the best contractor to handle all the air conditioning repair services for outstanding results that will restore efficiency. Therefore, you should call your air conditioning repair specialist whenever you encounter issues such as:
Leaks
Leaks are the most common problem in heaters, heat pumps, and cooling systems that air conditioning repair experts diagnose and fix. Loops installed underground leak the coolant if the initial installation was wrong. Another cause of refrigerant leaks is the corrosion of copper components attached to the evaporator coils.
Leakages are not easy to detect in geothermal systems because the pipes are underground, implying the need for leak detection methods to identify the leaking parts.
The easy way to know that your air conditioning unit is leaking is to check out the visible signs and call your AC contractor to make more evaluations for a proper diagnosis of the problem.
Indicators of leaks include:
- Temperature-related discomfort: If you feel uncomfortable when the air conditioner is working, there is a problem with the system. The refrigerant leaks make the unit perform inefficiently in cooling your home.
- Frost on the coils of the indoor unit: when you notice ice forming in the air handling equipment in your house, it is a sign that the coolant is leaking.
- Muddy Spots on the ground are also indicators of a leaking geothermal heat pump.
Next, hired air conditioning repair technicians in Dallas, TX, can confirm the leakage by pouring dye in the loops to know the exact leaking area. They have to indulge in the cumbersome process of digging to repair or replace the leaking part and refill the refrigerant up to the factory-set limit.
Fortunately, the leakage is preventable by hiring professional, skilled, experienced, and licensed HVAC specialists to handle the installation process.
Corrosion
Geothermal heating and cooling systems are susceptible to rust, an aspect that leads to system failure in the long run. Corrosion can affect both the indoor and buried outdoor AC unit, eventually leading to system failure. If air conditioning repair and installation specialists install the loops and other outdoor components in a place with copious moisture, it can trigger corrosion.
The indoor parts of the geothermal AC can also rust due to chemical reactions in copper components, creating cracks that leak out condensation and refrigerant. Signs of corrosion in the system are not limited to
- Low refrigerant levels
- Loss of cooling and heating power
- Frozen evaporator coils
- Overheating compressor
- Decreased efficiency of coils
- High energy bills due to a straining AC
HVAC specialists should replace the corrosive parts of the geothermal system only if the extent of the rust is small. But if the corrosion is extensive and the system is old, you should start planning for a new unit after repairs that can buy you some time to source funds.
Experts from an air conditioning repair and installation company in Dallas, TX, should consider the possibility of corrosion in the geothermal unit during installation to protect the loops and other parts of the system from the risk of adverse effects.
They should use corrosion-resistant materials and protective coatings to prevent rusting of the metallic parts of the unit due to the high intensity prevalent in places with high temperatures and volcanogenic geothermal fields that generate corrosive geothermal fluids.
Inadequate Ground Loop Pressure
Another geothermal AC and heating problem that air conditioning repair experts in our reliable company fix is the improper water pressure in the loops that affect the heating and cooling capacity of the system.
With proper installation, the unit works at its peak by transferring geothermal ground heat to your house during winter for warmth and vice versa during summer due to the ground loop pressure.
The science behind geothermal heat transfer is a fluid (water or a mixture of antifreeze and water) inside the buried ground loops that absorbs and relinquishes heat. It creates sufficient pressure in the loop pipes to effectively move the alternate heat and cold air as the temperatures change.
Causes of the inadequate water pressure in the underground piping system include:
- Expansion of the loops with time, making the water inside insufficient to create adequate water pressure
- Leaks due to poor installation by an inexperienced technician from an unreliable air conditioning repair company.
A sign of the low-pressure problem in the geothermal system is the sounds the heat pump generates when operating, instead of the silent operation it has when the system is pressurized. When you hear the noise from the unit, promptly call an AC repair contractor.
So, to solve the problem, the HVAC contractor in Dallas, TX, should add some water to restore the balance and adequate pressure in the loops for efficiency. The issue is 100 percent preventable with accurate installation and periodic maintenance. The air conditioning repair technician can ensure the pressure is constant to make the extraction successful by periodically checking the loops and adding water if necessary.
Dirty Geothermal Filters
It is worth noting that not all heat pumps use air filters unless they have ducts to supply the conditioned air. Geothermal HVAC systems with ductwork have air filters to provide clean and fresh air in homes, enhancing indoor air quality.
When you fail to hire an air conditioner repair and maintenance contractor to change or clean the geothermal air filters at least twice annually, you will end up with dirty or clogged air filters that significantly affect the performance of the entire unit. The dirty filters can lead to unimaginable harm to your system, including failing compressors and malfunctioned units.
When the air filter is clogged, you will notice the following signs of restricted airflow, including:
- Increased energy bills
- Filthy indoor air quality and dusty surfaces
- Overheating system
- Warm air blowing from the heat pump
- Health allergies such as increased sneezing and asthma attacks
- Frozen Evaporator coils
Air conditioning repair experts can solve the problem by cleaning the air filters if they are washable or replacing replaceable types. Keeping the filters clean throughout guarantees you and your loved ones comfort, clean air, and decreased allergic reactions, promoting health.
Ductwork Problems
Geothermal HVAC units have fans for moving conditioned heat and air through the air ducts for sufficient supply to your space. When the ductwork is faulty, the conditioned air flowing to your rooms will be inadequate, leading to warm or cold spots in your Dallas, TX, house, making you prefer to switch the unit off because of the increased discomfort.
What are the causes of ductwork problems in homes?
- Dirty air filters make the system supply contaminated air throughout your space
- Gaps in the air ducts that allow air to leak out make the circulating air in your house inadequate
- Poor installation of the ducts by unskilled air conditioning repair and installation contractors
The ductwork issues resulting from dirty air filters increase the risk for health issues when the unit distributes a combination of pollen, dander, mold spores, dust, debris, pet dander, and other pollutants to your rooms.
Your loved ones can start complaining of headaches, eye problems, upper respiratory tract infections, or experience asthmatic attacks. Failing to call for HVAC services on time might worsen the health conditions and skyrocket your energy bills due to a straining unit.
Having experienced air conditioning repair professionals to rectify the issue is necessary to improve your indoor air quality. They can inspect the supply registers, air ducts, vents, and return grilles to understand the extent of the problem and the solutions required.
In addition, the experts clean the ductwork and air filters if they are dirty, re-install poorly installed air ducts, and seal all the gaps and openings for better insulation.
Water Contamination
Installing a geothermal heating and cooling systems close to groundwater sources such as wells and boreholes can be risky when the loops start leaking. Leaking refrigerant can contaminate your groundwater and cause substantial harm to your plants.
Avoiding water contamination requires air conditioning repair specialists in Dallas, TX, to include a filter in the system with an open loop to filter out all dirt, debris, and contaminants.
Solving the polluted water issue due to geothermal heat pumps might include fixing the refrigerant leak or installing the entire system in a place far from groundwater sources.
Faulty or Old Pump
Geothermal HVAC units, especially ground-to-air pumps, take the heat in and from homes by exerting pressure in the loops. When the heat pump malfunctions, it can no longer move heat through water pressure to your house or remove it, leaving you and your loved ones to bear the heat waves or icy temperatures.
Some signs of a failing heat pump that you should not ignore include:
- Poor airflow
- High utility bills
- weird noises
- No heat or cold temperatures when it is wintry or hot.
An air conditioning repair technician you call can make necessary repairs or replacements after analyzing and diagnosing the problem. The professional should replace the system if it is too old or close to the end of its lifespan.
Replacement is also an option if the system has numerous other issues that are expensive to fix in totality. But, if the problem is the pump only, repairs are appropriate.
Faulty Capacitors
A capacitor in the HVAC geothermal unit is a piece of electrical equipment that stores power for a while. It then releases the energy when on-demand to operate the motors and compressors.
The two capacitors in the heat pump, start and run, can also fail to perform optimally, affecting efficiency. They can fail to hold a charge for running and maintaining the motor, forcing you to call a Dallas, TX technician with air conditioning repair experience and skills.
Run and start capacitors malfunction due to:
- Aging that leads to wear and tears
- Power surges from improper or high voltages
- Overheating unit
- Physical damage when something hits the capacitors
Hints of bad capacitors include:
- Delayed start-up
- high energy bills because of struggles to start
- Sudden shutting off of the HVAC system
- Cannot start completely
- Humming sounds
After analyzing the above signs, air conditioning repair professionals can recommend replacing the compressing unit. So, it’s wise to prevent them from failing through periodic tune-ups and inspections.
Malfunctioning Thermostat
When the temperatures in your home are low during winter and high on scorching sunny days, the first culprit to check is the thermostat. It might malfunction and stop regulating indoor temperatures to your desired levels for comfort.
An air conditioning repair contractor can use the signs below to identify and make a diagnosis of the problem.
- Dark thermostat screen
- The system won’t turn on.
- HVAC unit runs continuously without pausing
- The thermostat cannot measure the room temperature
- Short cycling
- The device does not respond immediately or at all
- It forgets its programmed settings
Your HVAC thermostat is most likely to stop working efficiently due to:
- Dead batteries
- Too much dirt, dust, and debris
- Loose heating, cooling, and fan connections
- Poor positioning on the wall
- Installation in the wrong spot
A hired air conditioning repair expert in Dallas, TX can fix the thermostat issue by replacing the dead batteries or cleaning off all the contaminants to restore their peak performance. The pro can also check and tighten loose connections and re-install the device in the correct place and position for optimal efficiency. But, if the problems are beyond repairs, they can replace the faulty thermostat with a more advanced option.
We Can Fix Your Geothermal Heating and Cooling System Issues!
Despite having benefits such as low energy use, energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and being environmentally clean, geothermal HVAC units are not invincible or immune to issues. If you notice any of the above signs or problems in your equipment, call us at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas. We are a reputable air conditioning repair company serving Dallas and its environs for over a decade. Give us a buzz today!