Best Geothermal Systems: ClimateMaster vs GeoCool

Key Points

• ClimateMaster’s Tranquility 30 series and GeoCool’s Inverter series are geothermal systems designed to provide exceptional efficiency and long-term performance.
• GeoCool systems have more impressive efficiency rates and a lower entry price.
• ClimateMaster systems have a longer warranty coverage and more size options.

Sustainability in HVAC is here to stay. The heating and cooling industry is on its fourth wave of refrigerants that are designed to leave as little impact on the planet as possible while optimizing climate control within your home. Simply put: maximizing energy efficiency and embracing environmentally-friendly HVAC solutions is a major driver of the industry.  Consumers and producers alike are looking for the highest efficiency items—all while striving to reduce the overall cost to the consumer. Even comparing air-source and geothermal heat pump efficiency demonstrates this battle for efficiency. The fact is, geothermal energy has many benefits. Not only can a geothermal heat pump shrink your carbon footprint and eliminate your dependence on fossil fuels, but it also does so while lowering your utility costs.

Two brands are leading the fight for geothermal sustainability and efficiency: GeoCool and ClimateMaster. Choosing between two powerful product lines can leave you stuck between a rock and a hard place, but the pressure doesn’t have to crush you into submission. With IWAE offering a helping hand, comparing these impressive systems has never been easier.

GeoCool’s Inverter Series

Bang for buck, you won’t find a more efficient residential geothermal system on the market than the GeoCool Inverter Series. These quiet heat pump systems are built and treated to maintain a clean look and reliable operation. Even the internal hardware is designed for durability, the co-axial copper-nickel coil heat exchanger boasts corrosion resistance to minimize the need for maintenance more intensive than an annual inspection. A high-precision EEV, or electronic expansion valve, ensures the refrigerant stays superheated. With all this impressive hardware and all-DC inverters that bolster efficiency, the GeoCool Inverter heat pumps are the pinnacle of energy-efficient HVAC hardware.

The GeoCool heat pump offers flexible installation options with its four independent modules and pre-sized line sets, letting you tailor the system’s layout to match your home’s needs. Learn more about each component here:

• GeoCool Modular Blowers
• GeoCool Heat Pump Condensers
• GeoCool Evaporator Coils
• GeoCool Return Air Box
• Copper Line Sets for Geothermal Split Systems*

*Note that some configurations may require a MrCool No-Vac Quick Connect line set.

Inverter Series Specs & Certifications

Certification and listing information:

• AHRI certified (see specific unit for AHRI reference number)
• Energy Star certified
• UL listed

Specifications:

For more information, see the GeoCool Inverter Series Customer Brochure.

GeoCool Warranty Information

Each GeoCool system comes with a comprehensive warranty that includes:

• 10 years of guaranteed coverage on parts
• 5 years of limited coverage on labor

Full warranty information is listed in the GCSHP/GCSCA Warranty Sheet.

ClimateMaster’s Tranquility 30 Series

ClimateMaster’s Tranquility 30 series is a powerful home heating and cooling option for a wide range of applications. The acoustically engineered design and variable-speed blower motor leave operation nearly silent. A tin-plated or micro-channel air coil bolsters corrosion resistance, working with the high-efficiency scroll compressor and iGate monitoring capabilities to ensure a long functional lifespan. Foil-backed insulation lines the inside of the casing, working with the stainless steel drain pans to keep the inside easy to clean and maintain. With a high-efficiency filter system for top-tier IAQ (indoor air quality) and a stylish, modern appeal, the Tranquility 30 series lives up to its name from every angle. 

Tranquility 30 Specs & Certifications

Certification and listing information:

• AHRI certified (see specific unit for AHRI reference number)
• Energy Star certified & rated Most Efficient in 2018
• ETL listed

Specifications:

For full information, check out the Tranquility 30 Series Specifications Sheet.

ClimateMaster Warranty Information

ClimateMaster’s Tranquility 30 systems have a warranty that provides:

• 10 years of coverage standard on parts
• 5 years of coverage standard on labor
  • Option for 5-year warranty extension, totaling 10 years of labor coverage
• 50 years of limited coverage on ClimateMaster underground pipes

For full warranty information, review the ClimateMaster Residential Warranty Sheet.

How Use Case Plays a Role in Your Decision

Many factors influence what HVAC system is right for your home. You probably know that geothermal systems use either a closed loop or open loop system, depending on whether there is a suitable body of water nearby, but there’s more to factor in than just that. In fact, climate plays a role in whether or not a geothermal system is worth the investment!

Before you bring home one of these impressive geothermal heat pump systems, be sure you’re choosing the right fit for your home’s needs. Ask yourself:

What is the Square Footage of Your Home?

GeoCool only offers 4 Ton and 5 Ton options currently, so if your answer is significantly under 2000 square feet or over 3000 square feet, your space will not be able to use either of these systems effectively. While there are other factors to consider when determining what size HVAC system you need, square footage is always the jumping-off point of these calculations.

How Much Are You Willing to Spend?

If your home could support both types of systems, the initial cost can also be a contributing factor. One look at the water-to-air package units gives a clear winner in the price category: GeoCool. A 4 Ton ClimateMaster Tranquility 30 package unit runs you around double the cost of a 4 Ton GeoCool Package Unit. That’s a dramatic difference for just the core hardware! Just be sure you remember to tally up all the factors when comparing prices:

• Underground loop piping
• Manifold headers
• Flow centers

The price tag of a geothermal upgrade doesn’t end at physical hardware. Remember that the assessment and installation costs should be factored into the equation.

How Long Will You Live in This House?

The difference in the warranties isn’t that different with labor and parts, but ClimateMaster’s Tranquility 30 series has the edge when it comes to the 50-year coverage on the underground pipes. For your forever home, a warranty of that length can be a boon in your back pocket should any complications arise a couple of decades down the road.

Find the Right Geothermal System with IWAE

Geothermal energy is one of the most sustainable energy sources available for residential HVAC, so it’s not hard to understand why geothermal heat pumps are leading the industry in energy efficiency. If you know you want a top-of-the-line heating and cooling system that will save money on your utilities and outlast the competition, geothermal is the direction you want to go. Between our geothermal heat pump buying guide and this breakdown of two of the biggest players in the geothermal game (ClimateMaster and GeoCool), you have access to a plethora of information to help you find the right solution for your home. If you’re still unsure which best fits your needs, or whether or not a geothermal system works for you at all, don’t hesitate to reach out to the customer service team at IWAE. With just a call or message, they’ll point you towards more efficient HVAC options that work for your home.