Geothermal · HVAC · Plumbing · Sitework · Spring Hill, Kansas(913) 205-5848bryan@auorkc.com

Geothermal · Replacement & retrofit

Replace or retrofit a geothermal system in Kansas City.

Two different starting points: a building that already has geothermal & needs new equipment, or a building that does not have geothermal yet. Both start with an accurate look at what is already there, from the loop & the heat pump to the ductwork & electrical service.

For buildings that already have geothermal

Replacement

The heat pump is aging, unreliable or no longer meets the building’s needs. GeothermalKC evaluates the equipment, the ground loop & the distribution before recommending what to replace.

  • Whether the existing loop stays in service is decided after testing, not assumed. A well built loop often outlasts the heat pump connected to it, but that is confirmed before a replacement is quoted.
  • A replacement heat pump has to match the loop type, water loop or direct exchange, & the building’s current load. A larger heat pump on the original loop can ask more of the ground than the loop was designed to give, so the loop is checked against the new equipment.
  • If the building has changed since the original install (additions, finished basement, new windows), the system is sized to the building as it is now.
  • A system that still runs but no longer keeps up gets the same evaluation of the heat pump, the loop & the distribution before any equipment is recommended.
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For buildings without geothermal today

Retrofit

The building runs on a furnace & air conditioner, a boiler or an air source heat pump, & the owner wants to know whether geothermal can replace it.

  • Not every building or lot suits a retrofit. Yard space, access, what's buried & the existing ductwork or distribution decide it.
  • Ducts sized for a furnace may need changes, because heat pumps deliver air at lower temperatures & need steady airflow.
  • Landscaping, driveways & outbuildings affect where a loop can go & how the site is restored afterward.
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Information the consultation covers

Rough answers to these make the first conversation far more useful.

Current equipment

  • System type (geothermal, furnace & AC, boiler, air source heat pump)
  • Brand, model & approximate age if known
  • Loop type, water loop or direct exchange, if known
  • Service history & current problems

The building

  • Size, age & use
  • Additions, insulation or window upgrades since the system went in
  • Rooms that are hard to heat or cool

Distribution

  • Ductwork, radiant floors, or both
  • Number of zones & thermostats
  • Known duct problems

Plans & timing

  • Renovations or additions coming up
  • Whether the current system still runs
  • Preferred timing for the work

The site

  • Open yard or field area & how equipment would reach it
  • Septic, wells, irrigation, buried utilities, large trees
  • For replacements: where the existing loop runs, if known

How the evaluation usually goes

New buildings are covered on the new geothermal installation page, & systems that need a repair instead of new equipment on the geothermal repair & service page.

Drawing of an existing house with angled ground loops beneath the yard connected to equipment in the basement
Illustration

  1. Review of the details sent

    Equipment details, photos, plans & energy bills where available.

  2. Consultation agreement

    GeothermalKC explains the consultation agreement & schedules a time.

  3. On site evaluation

    Equipment, loop (where one exists), distribution, electrical & site access.

  4. Recommendation

    What to replace, keep or change, & anything that rules a retrofit out.

  5. Written proposal

    Scope & price for the recommended work.

Questions about geothermal replacement

When should a geothermal unit be replaced?

Common reasons are the age of the heat pump, repeated breakdowns, electric use rising compared with past years, backup heat running often, or a building that has outgrown the system. The evaluation checks the heat pump, the loop & the distribution before anything is replaced.

How long does a geothermal system last?

A U.S. Department of Energy consumer guide estimates about 25 years for the indoor components & 50 years or more for the ground loop. Maintenance, loop condition & how hard the system works all affect the real number.

Can the existing ground loop be reused?

Often, if testing shows the loop is sound & large enough for the new heat pump. A well built loop usually outlasts the equipment connected to it, but that is confirmed on site before a replacement is quoted.

Can an existing geothermal system be assessed before deciding?

Yes. A consultation evaluates the heat pump, the loop & the distribution & explains what can be kept & what should be replaced, so the decision rests on the condition of the system rather than its age alone.

Will a new geothermal heat pump work with the existing ductwork?

Often, but heat pumps deliver air at lower temperatures than a furnace & need steady airflow, so the ductwork is checked during the evaluation.

Is there still a federal tax credit for geothermal?

Not for homes. The IRS says the federal Residential Clean Energy Credit is not available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. Commercial buildings fall under a separate federal investment credit, covered on the commercial geothermal page. GeothermalKC does not give tax advice; current incentives are best confirmed with a tax professional & the program directly.

Project consultations

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Geothermal replacements & retrofits across the region from Topeka to Sedalia. Details of the current system, its age & the project location help the consultation.

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