Choosing a heating and cooling system for your home may be the most important “comfort” decision of your home-owning experience.
Geothermal heating and cooling systems are considered the most efficient, comfortable systems on the market.
O’Mara Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling wants you to be happy with your decision. Print this page and complete the comparison checklist below to help choose the best contractor for the job.
| Check all that apply: | Dealer #1 | Dealer #2 | Dealer #3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dealer has installed more than 5 geothermal systems. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Dealer has been in business for more than 10 years | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
The Dealer is certified and trained in: |
|||
| ACCA Manual J and Manual D | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| International Ground Source Heat Pump Assoc (IGSHPA) | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Loop design and Installation | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
The Dealer: |
|||
| Has a state Mechanical License | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Performed a heat loss/heat gain calculation to size the equipment | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Designed the system to maintain a minimum indoor temperature of 70 when the outdoor temperature is 0 (winter heating) | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Designed the system to maintain a maximum indoor temperature of 75 when the outdoor temperature is 95 (summer cooling) | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Provided you an estimate of the annual operating costs | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Asked you about your future plans for additions or remodeling | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Provides 24-hour emergency service | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Provides a 10 year parts & labor warranty | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
The Dealer discussed the following topics: |
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| Advantages and disadvantages of open-and closed-loop systems | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| The importance of sizing the well, pump and tank on an open-loop system | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| The location of the closed-loop system | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| The importance of proper duct design | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| The importance of properly balancing the system | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| The manufacturer’s and dealer’s warranties | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Utility programs and energy rates | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Additional costs (electrical upgrade, landscaping, etc) | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Financing options | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Total Boxes Checked | ___ | ___ | ___ |
We hope this checklist helps you in selecting a quality geothermal contractor