Geothermal heat pump shoppers checklist

1) Contractor's qualifications and credentials
2) What is the manual J load, summer and winter design temps
3) Size proposed (in tons)/percent of load covered/balance point
4) Is ductwork and electrical service adequate to support system
5) Warranties
6) Type of refrigerant
7) Proposed loop system (open loop, horizontal, vertical, standing column, hybrid,etc.)
8) Is heat pump 1 or 2 stage
9) Price, rebates and tax credits
10) Brand, Type (water source or DX)

 

Checklist commentary

1) Contractor's qualifications and credentials
-this would include references, years in business, years in geo, licensing, certifications, number of units installed etc.
2) What is the manual J load, summer and winter design temps
-a contractor that does not wish to share heat load documents with you before you purchase should not automatically be disregarded, though this data should be shared with you at purchase. Any contractor who does not perform a heat loss calculation is suspect.
3) Size proposed (in tons)/percent of load covered/balance point
-new shoppers should ask bidders to explain these terms to them.
4) Is ductwork and electrical service adequate to support system
-International mechanical code has specific duct requirements for heat pumps (6 sq"/1,000 btu of return air) and electrical requirements are heavy as well.
5) Warranties
6) Type of refrigerant
-R22 is headed for phase out the new industry norm is R410
7) Proposed loop system (horiz, vert, multipipe,etc.)
-More loop field design may be a consideration after initial screening, but a rough idea should be conveyed during bid.
8) Is heat pump 1 or 2 stage
9) Price, rebates and tax credits
10) Brand, Type (water source or DX)
-while this part is the least important in author's mind there are a few makes and models that would not be supported here.

This list is for Heating Dominated Climates.
If you do not know what something means, ask your bidders.
This list is not complete, but a good prescreener.
If you bring the answers to these questions here we will help you screen bidders.
Good Luck,
Joe