The Third Most Common Mistake Made Designing Geothermal Heat Pump Systems

This is the last part in a three part serious about the three most common errors that geothermal designers make when designing ground source heat pumps system. If you’ve been following, the main concern for a very simple reason, the geothermal industry is small but quickly growing so it’ll be best to minimize any black eyes from poor system design.

In my last two posts, I’ve outlined the first two big mistake made by designers.

Underestimating the importance of accurate peak heating and cooling load calculations
Not Giving Proper Consideration to Alternatives posted on Heating Help.com

The third mistake is simple, don’t overcomplicate the design.

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April 11th, 2011|Categories: Building Science, Heat Pumps|Tags: , , , , |

Three Most Common Mistakes Made by Geothermal Designers

If you’re new to the geothermal heat pump industry, read the Geothermal 101 Reading list. It has free tools and articles on geothermal design and installation, and sales and marketing best practices.
Working in the ground source heat pump (GSHP) industry, especially in a small company where you are asked to take on the role of salesman and designer, you will find yourself answering the same questions with each new customer.  Get used to it.  If you work in the industry long enough, you will be asked every question under the sun.  How will this system heat my home when the soil temperatures are only 50 degrees?  What if I want to keep it warmer in my house?  Do I need to buy an air conditioner too?  How does a heat pump work?  The list goes on and on.

The truth is, the average homeowner doesn’t understand how their central air conditioner works (or the refrigerator in their kitchen for that matter).  They just know it works.  When you mention the term “geothermal heat pump” or “ground source heat pump” to your prospective customer, all of a sudden you find yourself in uncharted territory.  Then the questions begin.

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April 6th, 2011|Categories: Building Science|Tags: , , , |

Get LoopLink RLC Certified and Become a Geothermal Designer!

The Geothermal Designer Boot Camp + LoopLink™ RLC course is a joint effort between Geo-Connections and HeatSpring designed to make experienced geothermal system designers – expert geothermal system designers.

The goal of the program is to reward industry professionals who have taken the time and effort to educate themselves by recognizing them with this unique distinction and ultimately […]

Online Geothermal Designer Boot Camp + LoopLink RLC Certification

The course will use IGSHPA’s “Residential and Light Commercial Design and Installation Manual”, and is taught by the author, Ryan Carda P.E.

LoopLink RLC, an online geothermal design tool, will be used heavily in the class and the course comes with a 1-year license for the software. LoopLink RLC Certification is earned by successfully completing the […]