Geothermal System Maintenance in Des Moines, IA

Pressure & Temperature Testing — The Core of Geothermal Diagnostics

Now we connect our diagnostic manifold to the geothermal system's refrigerant ports and begin systematic testing. We measure high-side and low-side pressures and compare them to manufacturer design specifications. If pressures have drifted, we investigate why: refrigerant charge loss (indicating a slow leak), loop performance degradation (reduced heat transfer to soil), or compressor efficiency decline.

We measure compressor discharge temperature—the temperature of refrigerant leaving the compressor. This single measurement reveals tremendous information: if discharge temperature is too high, the compressor is overheating and working too hard; if too low, liquid refrigerant is returning to the compressor (dangerous for its longevity). We also calculate superheat and subcooling—refrigerant properties that directly indicate whether your system is charged correctly. Superheat and subcooling that are too high or too low trigger corrective adjustments.

We check ground loop pressure and compare it to your system's baseline. For systems with outdoor loop pumps (separate from the compressor), we measure pump discharge pressure and verify it's within normal range. We also check ground loop temperature if your system has monitoring sensors. High loop temperature in summer suggests the loop isn't rejecting heat efficiently to soil; low loop temperature in winter suggests supplemental heating is being used as designed.

Diagnostic Testing

Electrical System & Control Circuit Verification

With refrigerant diagnostics documented, we test the electrical systems that control your geothermal equipment. We verify thermostat inputs—is the thermostat correctly sensing indoor temperature and communicating setpoint changes to the system? We test the control board, which orchestrates compressor starting, reversing valve operation, backup heating activation, and system shutdown. We use a multimeter to verify voltage levels and check continuity of all critical circuits.

We test the reversing valve—the component that switches your system between heating and cooling. We energize the valve coil, listen for the mechanical click indicating the valve is shifting, and verify that the system correctly transitions between modes. We test backup heating circuits (furnace or electric resistance) to confirm they activate correctly on extremely cold days when geothermal output alone isn't sufficient. We check all electrical breakers and fuses to confirm nothing has tripped or blown. We also inspect the compressor contactor and starter relay to ensure they're functioning properly.

Documentation is critical—we record all electrical test results so we have a baseline to compare against during future maintenance visits. If electrical performance is drifting, we can spot it early and prevent failure.

Electrical Testing

Refrigerant Charge Verification & Adjustment

Based on our pressure testing and superheat/subcooling calculations, we determine if your system's refrigerant charge is optimal. If we've detected a slight charge loss over time (common as seals age gradually), we add refrigerant to restore proper charge. We never overcharge—excess refrigerant damages compressors just as much as undercharge. We add refrigerant carefully, monitoring pressures and superheat/subcooling as we work, and stop when design parameters are reached.

If our pressure testing suggests a possible refrigerant leak (charge loss that shouldn't happen on a sealed system), we investigate further. We may apply ultraviolet dye to the system to trace potential leak locations, or use electronic leak detectors on above-ground connections. Small slow leaks may be marked for monitoring; larger leaks warrant repair to prevent accelerating efficiency loss. We'll advise you if a leak repair is urgent or can be scheduled separately.

Once refrigerant charge is optimized, we run the system through heating and cooling cycles and verify that pressures, temperatures, and superheat/subcooling all settle into design ranges. Properly charged geothermal systems maintain these parameters consistently throughout operation.

Refrigerant Service

Performance Documentation, Optimization & Recommendations

Once testing is complete, we document everything: all pressure readings, temperatures, electrical test results, any adjustments we made, and system performance during test cycles. You'll receive a detailed maintenance report showing exactly what we measured and what condition your system is in. This documentation is valuable over time—you can see performance trends year to year and evidence of how well your system is operating.

If we identified any issues during maintenance—a slowly declining efficiency trend, an electrical component showing wear, a thermostat that needs recalibration, or the beginning of a small refrigerant leak—we'll discuss options. Some items can be corrected immediately; others may be scheduled for follow-up service. We'll advise on urgency based on risk and impact to your comfort and energy bills.

We'll also discuss long-term maintenance strategy. Geothermal systems that receive annual professional maintenance consistently outlive those that don't, because we catch and correct small issues before they become major failures. We recommend annual maintenance every 12 months to keep your system at peak efficiency. We'll schedule your next appointment and remind you when it's time.

Finally, we'll review your system's performance data: estimated energy efficiency, any recommendations for ductwork sealing or thermostat upgrades that could improve overall comfort, and discussion of how your system performed relative to its design specifications.

What You Receive