Can I replace my geothermal heat pump with a different brand?

Yes. WaterFurnace and ClimateMaster units both work with standard ground loops. If your original unit was one brand, you can switch to the other — we confirm loop and duct compatibility during the evaluation.

How long does a geothermal heat pump replacement take?

Most replacements are done in one to two days. The old unit comes out, the new one connects to your existing loop and ducts, and we test everything before we leave.

Is my ground loop still good after 15 or 20 years?

Almost always yes. HDPE ground loops are designed to last 50+ years. We pressure-test and flow-test your loop as part of every replacement evaluation.

Will a new heat pump work with my existing thermostat?

Variable-speed units need a communicating thermostat. We include a compatible thermostat with every replacement and program it during installation.

My old unit uses R-22 refrigerant. Should I repair or replace?

R-22 has been phased out, so recharging a leaking R-22 unit is very expensive. In nearly every case, replacement is the better investment than another R-22 repair.

Do I need to replace my ductwork too?

Not always. If your ducts are sealed and sized for the new unit's airflow, they stay. We evaluate them on every project and only recommend changes that will make a real difference.

Geothermal Heat Pump Replacement Dallas

Why upgrade

Why 450% efficiency isn't a typo

A gas furnace makes heat by burning fuel, and even the best ones lose a little up the flue — about 95% efficient, tops.

A geothermal heat pump doesn't make heat. It moves heat that already exists in the 67°F earth under your yard. Moving heat takes far less energy than making it — like sliding a box across the floor instead of building a new box.

That's what COP means: a COP of 4.5 says the system delivers 4.5 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity it uses — 450% efficient. Modern variable-speed units run at a COP of 4–5 all winter.

What this means for your bill

A 15–20 year old unit replaced with a modern variable-speed model typically cuts heating and cooling electricity 20–40%. With ERCOT rates trending up, every point of efficiency is worth more each year.

The energy math

1 kWh in, 4.5 kWh of heat out

You only pay for the electricity. The earth donates the rest.

Takeaway: every $1 of electricity moves about $4.50 worth of heat. A gas furnace can never beat 1-for-1.

Repair or replace?

Six signs your heat pump is done

Geothermal heat pumps last 15–25 years. Here's how they tell you they're finished.

It's past 15 years old

Repair costs climb and parts for old models get scarce. Past 15 years, put repair money toward a new unit instead.

Bills creeping up

Same thermostat setting, higher electric bill? Worn compressors quietly lose efficiency year after year.

Two-plus repairs a year

One repair is normal wear. Repeated compressor, valve, or board failures mean the unit is at end of life.

It runs on R-22

R-22 refrigerant is phased out, so recharging a leaky unit costs a fortune. Replacement nearly always wins.

Hot and cold rooms

If the system can't hold its setpoint on a 103°F Dallas afternoon, it's no longer delivering rated capacity.

It's getting loud

New rattles or compressor groans mean worn bearings and loose parts — the mechanical countdown has started.

Myth: "If the heat pump dies, the whole geothermal system is dead."

Fact: the ground loop — 30 to 50% of what the original system cost — is separate and designed to last 50+ years. Replacing only the heat pump costs far less than the original install, and the payback is faster too.

Our process

How a replacement works

Loop checkup

We pressure-test and flow-test your existing wells first. If the loop is healthy — it almost always is — the rest is simple.

Fresh load calculation

Added insulation or new windows since the original install? You may need a smaller, cheaper unit than before. We run the numbers instead of guessing.

Pick the right unit

We match a WaterFurnace or ClimateMaster model to your loop capacity, ducts, and budget — whichever brand fits, not whichever we feel like selling.

Out with the old, in with the new

Old unit out, new unit connected to your existing loop and ductwork. Usually one to two days, start to finish.

Commission and walk-through

We verify flow rates, refrigerant charge, and air temperatures, program your new thermostat, and show you how everything works.

Excel Geothermal receiving the ClimateMaster Outstanding Dealer award

Award-winningClimateMaster Outstanding Dealer

Equipment

WaterFurnace or ClimateMaster?

We're factory-authorized for both, so the recommendation fits your house — not a sales quota.

WaterFurnace

Most efficient on the market

7 Series

The most efficient unit made — COP above 5 at rated conditions. The variable-speed compressor glides to match your home's exact load, with built-in hot-water assist and remote monitoring.

Best for: maximum savings

5 Series

Two-stage compressor with excellent efficiency at a friendlier price. The most common upgrade from an old single-stage unit.

Best for: value upgrades

3 Series

Reliable single-stage workhorse. A solid budget-minded swap when the existing loop field is well sized.

Best for: budget replacements

ClimateMaster

Outstanding Dealer, six years running

Tranquility 30 (TE)

ClimateMaster's variable-speed flagship — smooth, quiet, high COP, with optional hot-water assist. Head-to-head rival of the 7 Series.

Best for: maximum savings

Tranquility 27 (TT)

Two-stage performer that fits a wide range of loops and duct systems — a favorite for replacement projects.

Best for: flexible retrofits

Tranquility 22 (TS)

Compact and affordable — well suited to smaller homes or tight equipment closets.

Best for: smaller spaces

Both brands are built in the United States and carry strong warranties. Both work with any standard ground loop — including one we didn't drill.

The biggest upgrade

Single-stage vs variable-speed: cruise control for comfort

An old single-stage unit is like driving by stomping the gas, coasting, and stomping again. It's either 100% on or completely off — even when your home needs just 30% of that power.

A variable-speed unit is cruise control. It settles into a low, quiet hum that exactly matches the load, running longer but using far less electricity.

Steadier temperatures — no more hot-cold seesaw between cycles
Better humidity removal, which matters in sticky DFW summers
Nearly silent at low speed
Less start-stop stress, so the compressor lasts longer

Dallas summer math

In a DFW July with day after day above 100°F, your system runs more hours than almost anywhere in the country. That's exactly when a right-sized variable-speed unit — fed by a 67°F loop instead of 100°F outdoor air — earns its keep.

While the panel's open

Replacement day is the cheap moment to fix leaky ducts — we design and install replacements ourselves — or add spray foam insulation, sometimes letting you buy a smaller unit.

Loop trouble? We drill.

If testing shows your loop field is undersized, we're the rare company that can fix it — our own rigs can add a supplemental well without a subcontractor.

Common questions

Heat pump replacement questions, answered

Yes. WaterFurnace and ClimateMaster both work with standard ground loops, so you can switch brands at replacement. We confirm loop and duct compatibility during the evaluation.

One to two days for most homes. Old unit out, new unit connected to the existing loop and ducts, then commissioned and tested. Duct modifications can add a day.

Almost always yes. HDPE pipe doesn't corrode underground and is designed to last 50+ years. We pressure-test and flow-test it as part of every evaluation, so you'll know for sure.

Variable-speed units need a communicating thermostat to manage the compressor and blower. We include a compatible thermostat with every replacement and program it before we leave.

R-22 has been phased out, so recharging a leaking R-22 unit is painfully expensive. In nearly every case, replacement is the smarter spend than another R-22 repair.

Not always. If your ducts are sealed and sized for the new unit's airflow, they stay. We check on every project and only recommend changes that will actually show up in comfort or bills.

Keep exploring

Geothermal heat pump replacement in Dallas–Fort Worth

Why 450% efficiency isn't a typo

What this means for your bill

1 kWh in, 4.5 kWh of heat out

Six signs your heat pump is done

It's past 15 years old

Bills creeping up

Two-plus repairs a year

It runs on R-22

Hot and cold rooms

It's getting loud

Myth: "If the heat pump dies, the whole geothermal system is dead."

How a replacement works

Loop checkup

Fresh load calculation

Pick the right unit

Out with the old, in with the new

Commission and walk-through

WaterFurnace or ClimateMaster?

WaterFurnace

7 Series

5 Series

3 Series

ClimateMaster

Tranquility 30 (TE)

Tranquility 27 (TT)

Tranquility 22 (TS)

Single-stage vs variable-speed: cruise control for comfort

Dallas summer math

While the panel's open

Loop trouble? We drill.

Heat pump replacement questions, answered

Related services

Maintenance & Repair

Air Quality

Spray Foam Insulation

Is it time to retire your old heat pump?