Geothermal Heat Pump Life Expectancy and You

No one wants to buy a car and watch it fall apart the moment it rolls off the lot. While we don't expect the things we buy to last forever, it certainly isn't unreasonable to anticipate a few years of use from more expensive purchases. The aforementioned car should last years, otherwise what's the point of spending a few thousand dollars? A new home heating and cooling system can be just as expensive as a new car, but many don't last half as long as a similarly priced automobile. So, how long is geothermal heat pump life expectancy?

It Could Outlive You

A geothermal heat pump is not a small investment, but the upside is that they will last for a very long time. How long? Actually, we're not sure yet. Some of the early geothermal heat pump systems are still running 30 years later with routine maintenance. While geothermal heat pumps innovate in how they use ground heat to provide air comfort, much of the basic technology in the system itself has been around long enough to reach a high quality standard.

Seriously, how long?!!

Okay, we'll break it down by basic component.

1. Air Handler: This is the part that pushes the air through your ducts. Even though it's part of a geothermal heat pump, it uses much of the same technology as traditional air handling units. It could last decades.
2. Heat Pump: The pump itself draws on time-tested HVAC industry technology. It too can last for decades. A good rule of thumb is that the better the warranty, the longer you can expect the system to last.
3. Ground Loop: Up to 200 years. No, seriously, the ground loop could last up to 200 years. That's how long it could take for the pipes to degrade. In theory, your great-great-great-great grandchildren could depend on the same ground system for heating and cooling. Of course, we'll all be robots by then, but, you know, in theory they could use it.

As you can see, geothermal heat pump life expectancy is not something you have to worry about. Unless there's some major breakthrough in human longevity, the system will outlive you by a long shot.