Specifications

Page 27 of 77
Geothermal System (Heating and Cooling)
Your new home is equipped with 1 geothermal “water source” heat pump(s).
This heating system delivers efficient heating and cooling for your home, but it is complicated and
should only be serviced by professional air conditioning mechanics. Your Strata Corporation, as
part of the monthly maintenance fees, will change your filters as required. Failure to
maintain your unit, and to ensure the filters are clean to allow the designed air flow to pass
through the unit, may result in costly repairs. The airflow across the coil is important, and if it is
insufficient, ice may build up on the coil and result in condensation dripping from your unit outside
the drainage pan. THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.
The operation of a heat pump is different than that of a conventional gas fired furnace. As a
result, you will notice differences in how the temperature is maintained. The size of the unit is
based on a “heat loss” calculation, determined by the mechanical engineer. For example, unit
size is based on your individual home’s square foot size, amount of glazing and exposure (north
or south) etc. Although it is designed to maintain temperatures under normal conditions (doors
and windows closed), you should note that under extreme weather conditions the unit may not be
able to maintain a certain set point temperature. THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE OF
SYSTEM, AND DOES NOT MEAN YOUR UNIT IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY.
In simplified terms, your unit operates as follows. In winter, when you require heat, it extracts heat
from the closed loop geothermal system water that is piped throughout the building. It then injects
that heat, by way of a fan coil, into your unit. In summer, the reverse happens. It extracts the
heat the unit absorbs from the return air, and injects that heat into the water to be piped away
from your unit. This type of system requires more time than a conventional gas fired furnace to
increase or decrease temperature, and will function better if you leave the thermostat set at a
certain temperature. If you set the temperature significantly lower at night, it may take a bit longer
to regain the temperature in the morning. THIS IS NORMAL.
It is also important to know that your unit contains both a compressor and a fan. YOUR UNIT
WILL MAKE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF NOISE UNDER NORMAL OPERATION. SILENT
OPERATION IS NOT REALISTIC. Please expect a level of noise similar to the noise you would
expect from a conventional furnace.
The electric panel provides shutoff breaker(s) for (among other things) the geothermal heating
and cooling system. The electric panel is normally located in the 2
nd
bedroom, the master
bedroom or the storage room, behind the applicable room door. Please take the time to note its
location.
For further information on the Geothermal System, please refer to “Heating and
Cooling (Geothermal System”, page 51).
Heat Pump Disconnect Switch
A disconnect switch has been installed in the closet where the heat pump is located. This switch
should remain in the on/up position at all times. When service is required, please contact your
Property Manager or a qualified mechanical contractor. A sign has been posted at the switch
noting same.