Geothermal heat pump maintenance: what to watch for and how

Hello everyone,

we are planning to use a [Erdwärmepumpe].

Does anyone of you have experience with the maintenance of such systems?

Does the chimney sweep or someone else also come by cyclically to check the system in any way?

Or in other words, are there any wear parts that need to be checked cyclically and possibly replaced?

For example, pump, any filters, etc.?

And what other operating ancillary costs arise?

Best regards
[Ostsee]

Hello,

...we are planning to use a geothermal heat pump.

Hopefully after exact sizing and calculation, otherwise it can quickly become a money pit.

...Does the chimney sweep or someone else also come by periodically to check the system somehow?

Yes, brine inspection is necessary. The intervals for this are determined/set by the responsible lower water authorities. The builder is responsible!
In brine heat pumps, the heat exchangers are by far the most sensitive components. In my planning, I provide appropriate protection mechanisms here.
This also needs to be controlled/checked. However, a reasonably skilled operator can do this without a specialist craftsman.
Best regards

I hope that our developer calculates the sizing correctly...

What things need to be considered there, or where can I possibly keep an eye on him?

...I hope that our developer has calculated the sizing correctly...

Whether hope is sufficient here, I would seriously doubt based on my experience. Heat pumps are among the most sensitive WE (heat generators). High energy efficiency in operation is only achievable if everything fits! There is often a significant discrepancy between the paperwork of the Energy Saving Ordinance/KfW proof and the solution actually implemented. With the disadvantage of higher consumption costs!

....What things are there to consider there or where can I possibly watch his fingers?

It starts quite simply at the point where a general contractor/general planner proposes/offers a specific manufacturer/device. An exact sizing is only possible if all necessary calculations have been carried out beforehand. You can then demand and have all documents checked. If they are not available, you know what the hope is based on or what it is worth ;) With a properly formulated specialist contractor's declaration, since 2009 the builder also has better chances in case of subsequent problems. Furthermore, ask for a consumption forecast for heating/hot water and have it checked externally. This is where the wheat is separated from the chaff. In free planning this actually belongs to the standard. However, the general contractor/general planner often forget this or cannot do it .;) Kind regards

One more question regarding this topic complex.

The [GU] has now provided the following description:

Heating heat pump with a heating capacity of 7-10KW as a heat source. Instead of the 120-liter storage tank, a storage tank integrated into a compact unit with about 180 liters capacity is connected to the heat pump for domestic hot water supply.
To ensure the minimum circulation volume, a 120-liter buffer storage tank is integrated into the system.

Why is a buffer storage tank still needed? The [GU] could not explain that to me in detail.

...To ensure the minimum circulation volume, a 120 liter buffer tank is integrated into the system.

A very sustainable hint that hardly any calculation/optimization for a heat pump has been carried out here! :o

...Why do you still need a buffer tank? The general contractor couldn't explain that to me very precisely.

This shows that there are significant deficiencies regarding the heating system.
A buffer tank (which design?) for the heating system is in most cases completely unnecessary or it reduces the efficiency of the system. Only in exceptional cases is there a need for it. This results from the calculations, provided they have been carried out.

best regards