FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have anything I can print out to look at or show to others?

We sure do. You can download our Perfect Temp HVAC brochure right here. Or, if you’re settled on geothermal and want to compare installers, take a look at our handy questionnaire.

When I hear “geothermal,” I think of lava and such. Is this what you’re using to heat my home?

Fortunately, we don’t need to tap into the earth’s core to provide an efficient heating solution for your home. A geothermal heat pump uses the heat stored in the earth from the sun’s rays; it’s a form of “passive solar” heating. Just below the earth’s surface (starting at about 8 feet below ground), the earth’s temperature remains at a consistent temperature year-round. This constant temperature is perfect for providing an efficient, environmentally friendly way to heat and cool your home.

If the ground is only 56 degrees, how can a heat pump warm my home to 72 degrees?

Not to answer a question with a question, but how does your refrigerator cool your food to 40 degrees when it’s housed in a 72-degree environment? The answer is with refrigeration. Using similar principles, a geothermal heat pump uses refrigeration to extract heat and move it to the desired location (your home).

Will geothermal heat work in my area and for my soil type?

Scientists have yet to find a place on earth where a properly designed geothermal system won’t work. Prior to installing your system, we will look at state records to determine your soil content. We will design your system based on those records. We have installed systems in soils ranging from wet sand to clay to granite and everything in between.

I have a small yard. Will geothermal heat work for my home?

The most honest answer is probably. With today’s compact drilling equipment, we can fit into some pretty confined yards. Give us a call, and we will discuss your specific situation to determine if geothermal heat is feasible for your yard.

I’ve read the information on your website about vertical and horizontal loops. Which is best for my situation?

Both horizontal and vertical loops work great when they’re designed properly. The biggest factor in choosing one type over the other is the amount of space available on your lot.

How long will it take to install my system?

Although this answer varies based on the size of your home, we typically install units in 3 to 5 days.

How much does a geothermal system cost?

The cost of a geothermal system can vary greatly, based on the size of your home. The cost can start at $12,000 and increase from there.

Can I finance my system?

Perfect Temp does have financing options available to its clients.

What sort of cost savings will I see in my utilities with a geothermal system?

A geothermal heat pump operates solely on electricity, which eliminates your natural gas or propane bill. It isn’t unusual for clients to see their heating utility bills cut by up to 70%. We will prepare a personalized cost comparison report to provide you with an estimate of the cost savings you will see for your home.

Will the investment I make in my geothermal system increase the value of my property?

In short, yes. You will be providing the new homeowners a home with the most energy-efficient heating and cooling system available, which means a cost savings to them.

How long will it take to recoup the investment I make in my geothermal system?

Homeowners switching from a propane fuel source to a geothermal system can typically recover their investment in 3 to 7 years. For homeowners currently using natural gas, a typical recovery period is 5 to 10 years. We will use the factors specific to your situation to determine an estimated payback period for your system.

What sort of heat distribution system will work with a geothermal heat pump?

Geothermal works great with both ducted air distribution systems and in-floor radiant systems.

Can a geothermal system also cool my home?

Yes! A geothermal system is the perfect trifecta! The system takes the place of your furnace, air conditioner, and water heater. As an added benefit, the entire geothermal system is housed inside your home. Your existing outdoor air conditioner compressor will no longer be needed.

What about my domestic hot water needs?

The system takes the place of your furnace, air conditioner, and water heater. We use a desuperheater, which uses the excess heat produced by the geothermal system to heat your domestic hot water.

Do I still need a furnace if I have a geothermal heat pump?

No, you do not need a furnace along with your geothermal heat pump. The heat pump itself will take care of your heating needs.

How many geothermal systems has Perfect Temp installed, and how long have you been installing geothermal units?

Perfect Temp has installed well over 400 geothermal units since we began installing these types of systems in 2006.

Are you qualified to install geothermal heat pumps?

The key to a successful geothermal installation is proper design. To ensure that we provide our clients with only successful installations, we require a technician certified by the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association on every install. In addition, we provide our technicians with continuing education on geothermal heat pumps so that we stay on top of current best practices in our industry.

Where is your service area?

We are headquartered in Loveland, Colorado, but our service area generally extends out to a 200-mile radius. Call us to see if you are located in our service area.

Is geothermal popular in Colorado?

Although geothermal is standard in many parts of the world, we see it as an emerging industry in our area as a result of increases in fuel prices and our environmentally conscious consumers.

What kind of maintenance does a geothermal system require?

One of the major benefits of geothermal is the low maintenance cost. Like a furnace, the system requires a regular filter change. We also recommend an annual checkup to ensure that your system is operating as designed.

Are there other names for geothermal?

Geothermal energy has been used to heat and air condition buildings for several decades. During that time, these geothermal systems have been called geoexchange, ground-water, ground-water assisted, ground-water-source, water-to-water, and water furnace heating and cooling.