Every geothermal repair visit covers a full diagnostic of the loop, refrigerant circuit, and controls, plus the repair itself and a complete system test. Here is what is included as standard, and what we quote separately only when your system actually needs it.
We measure loop flow in gallons per minute, check antifreeze concentration, and connect a manifold gauge set to read suction and discharge pressures. This tells us whether the fault is in the ground loop, the refrigerant circuit, or the controls.
We test capacitors, contactors, the defrost control board, and thermostat signals with a multimeter and clamp meter. Failed parts are replaced with matched components, and we verify amp draw after the repair.
If the repair opens the refrigerant circuit, we recover the charge with a recovery machine, replace the failed part and filter drier, pull a deep vacuum, and recharge by weight with R-410A or R-32.
We inspect the indoor coil, clean it when needed, check the air filter, and measure static pressure with a duct pressure gauge. Poor airflow is a common hidden cause of geothermal performance problems, and we correct it before it damages the compressor.
Before we leave, we run a complete heating cycle and a complete cooling cycle, watch the defrost sequence, and confirm the thermostat holds setpoint. You get the readings and a plain-English summary of the repair.
Geothermal Heat Pump Repair in McLean is the diagnosis and correction of faults inside a ground-source heat pump, its earth loop, and its indoor air handler. A geothermal system has no outdoor condenser fan, so the usual suspects look different: a failed loop circulator, a stuck reversing valve, a low refrigerant charge from a leaking coil, or a control board that will not call for compressor staging. We pressure-test the loop, check water flow in gallons per minute, and verify refrigerant superheat before we touch a part.
Most McLean homes with geothermal sit on larger lots in Langley Forest, Salona Village, and Country Club Hills, where vertical or horizontal loops were installed years ago and the indoor unit has been running ever since. When a geothermal heat pump not working McLean call comes in, it is usually one of three things: no heat in January, no cooling in July, or a unit short-cycling every few minutes. We handle all three, plus emergency geothermal heat pump repair McLean VA calls after a storm knocks out power mid-cycle.
You do not need to know how a ground loop works to get yours fixed. Here is exactly what happens from the first phone call to the final test, and how long each step takes.
Schedule
Call or book online — a real human picks up and confirms a 2-hour arrival window.
Diagnose
Licensed tech inspects on-site, then walks you through the cause and your options.
Fix
The job is completed to code and done right the first time — no shortcuts, no surprises.
Guarantee
Every job backed by a written workmanship warranty — and we stand behind it.
Manifold gauge set
Reads suction and discharge pressures on the refrigerant circuit so we can confirm charge, superheat, and compressor performance before replacing parts.
Refrigerant recovery machine
Recovers the system charge safely before any repair that opens the sealed circuit, so nothing is vented and the recharge is measured by weight.
Vacuum pump
Pulls a deep vacuum after a repair to remove moisture and air, which prevents acid formation and repeat compressor failures.
Clamp meter and multimeter
Tests capacitors, contactors, compressor windings, and control board outputs, and measures amp draw against the nameplate rating.
Leak detection electronic detector
Finds refrigerant leaks at coils, flare fittings, and Schrader ports that pressure testing alone can miss.
Duct pressure gauge
Measures static pressure and airflow so we can tell whether a performance complaint is a refrigerant problem or a ductwork problem.
Coil cleaning pump
Flushes and cleans the indoor coil, restoring heat transfer that dirt and biofilm have reduced over time.
Loop flow verification
We measure water flow in gallons per minute per ton of capacity and compare it to the manufacturer's requirement. Low flow starves the compressor and causes most no-heat and no-cool complaints on geothermal systems.
Superheat and subcooling check
These two readings tell us whether the refrigerant charge is correct and whether the metering device is working. We use them instead of guessing, and we recharge by weight when a repair requires it.
Full-cycle operational test
Every repair ends with a complete heating cycle and cooling cycle, including a defrost sequence check. If the system does not hold setpoint through both cycles, we are not finished.
Electrical component testing
Capacitance, contactor pitting, motor amp draw, and control board output are all tested with a multimeter and clamp meter. We replace only what fails the test.
Airflow balancing
We measure static pressure and room-by-room airflow, seal duct leaks with duct sealant, and adjust registers so the geothermal system delivers heat and cooling evenly across the house.
01
What we do: We treat it as an emergency, dispatch the nearest tech, and bring loop-purging gear and electrical parts so we can fix the most likely faults on the first visit. If the compressor is grounded, we set up temporary heat options while parts are ordered.
→ Heat restored the same day in most cases, with a clear plan if a major part is needed.
02
What we do: We measure loop flow and refrigerant pressures, clean the indoor coil, and check the air filter and ductwork. Low loop flow and dirty coils are the two most common causes of this complaint in McLean.
→ The system returns to rated capacity and the house holds setpoint again.
03
What we do: We run a full diagnostic: loop flow, antifreeze concentration, refrigerant charge, electrical components, and a complete heating and cooling cycle. You get a written report with readings and any recommended repairs.
→ You know exactly what you are buying and can negotiate repairs with real numbers.
04
What we do: We identify whether the noise is coming from the blower motor, fan motor, or loop circulator pump, then replace the failing component before it seizes and damages the control board.
→ The noise stops, and a small repair avoids a much larger one.
McLean sits on clay-heavy soil and rolling terrain, which is why most geothermal systems here use vertical loops rather than horizontal fields. That matters for repair: vertical loops are harder to purge, and air pockets after a power outage are common. Our winters swing from mild to single digits, so a geothermal unit that loses loop flow in January shows up fast as a no-heat call. Summers are humid, and a dirty indoor coil will cut capacity before the compressor ever faults. We also work in older homes in Salona Village and Franklin Park where the geothermal system was retrofitted into ductwork sized for a furnace, so airflow problems are frequent. If you need geothermal heat pump service McLean VA near me, we know which neighborhoods have which loop type and what parts to bring. We pull Fairfax County permits when a repair requires one and follow Virginia code on refrigerant handling and electrical work.
Langley Forest
Large lots with vertical loops and long loop runs. Air binding after power outages is the most common fault we see here.
Salona Village
Older homes where geothermal was retrofitted into existing ductwork. Airflow imbalance and undersized returns are frequent.
West McLean
Mix of horizontal and vertical loops. We see more loop-side flow problems here than refrigerant faults.
Country Club Hills
Newer geothermal installs with modern controls. Control board and thermostat faults are more common than mechanical failures.
Chesterbrook
Established homes with original geothermal units reaching the age where capacitors, contactors, and blower motors fail.
Clay-heavy soil and vertical loop design
Vertical loops are efficient but harder to purge. Air pockets after outages cause no-heat calls, and we bring a purge cart on every geothermal visit.
Wide winter temperature swings
A system that is marginal in mild weather fails outright in a cold snap. We test heating capacity under load, not just at the thermostat.
Humid summers and dirty indoor coils
Biofilm on the coil cuts heat transfer and raises loop temperatures. Coil cleaning is part of most summer geothermal repair calls.
Retrofitted ductwork in older homes
Ducts sized for a furnace often cannot move enough air for a heat pump. We measure static pressure and balance airflow as part of the repair.
Geothermal systems fail in ways that look like other problems, which is why so many homeowners get the wrong diagnosis first. Here are the faults we see most often in McLean and what happens if they are left alone.
Problem
A reversing valve stuck mid-position or a low refrigerant charge will run the compressor without delivering heat, and continued operation can overheat the compressor.
Our Fix
We check valve temperature and gauge readings to confirm which fault it is, then repair the valve or find and fix the leak, recharge by weight, and test through a full heating cycle.
Problem
Short cycling wears out the contactor, capacitor, and compressor, and it usually means the system is tripping on a safety switch or losing loop flow.
Our Fix
We measure loop flow and check the safety controls, purge air from the loop, and test the capacitor and contactor. Most short-cycling calls are resolved the same day.
Problem
A clogged condensate drain line or a loose loop fitting will put water on the floor and can damage drywall, insulation, and the unit's own controls.
Our Fix
We trace the leak to the drain pan, drain line, or loop connection, clear or repair it, and test under pressure. We also check the pan and float switch so it does not repeat.
Problem
Low loop flow or a dirty indoor coil stops the system from rejecting heat, so the house warms up even though the unit is running.
Our Fix
We measure entering and leaving water temperature, clean the coil, verify charge, and balance airflow. If the loop is the problem, we purge and rebalance it on the spot.
Problem
A grounded compressor, a shorted fan motor, or a failing capacitor will trip the breaker repeatedly, and each trip stresses the compressor further.
Our Fix
We isolate the circuit with a clamp meter, test the compressor windings and motor, replace the failed component, and confirm amp draw is within nameplate rating before we leave.
A geothermal system is expensive to replace and cheap to repair when the right tech gets to it early. Here is what you get when you call us instead of a general HVAC outfit that has never opened a loop panel.
Loop-Side Diagnosis
We measure flow and pressure at the loop, not just at the air handler. A clogged or air-bound loop drops flow below 3 gallons per minute per ton and starves the compressor. We purge the loop, bleed the air, and restore flow before condemning any part.
Same-Day Repairs
Our trucks carry R-410A refrigerant, capacitors, contactors, and common control boards, so roughly 8 out of 10 geothermal heat pump service McLean VA visits end with a working system the same day. If a reversing valve or compressor has to be ordered, we set a firm return time.
Fair, Upfront Numbers
You get the diagnosis and the price before we start. Typical 2026 repairs in this area run $180 to $450 for electrical and control faults, and $600 to $1,900 when a compressor, reversing valve, or refrigerant leak is involved. No surprise line items at the end.
Work That Holds
Every repair is tested through a full heating and cooling cycle, then checked again at the thermostat. We leave the loop pressure, refrigerant charge, and airflow documented so the next tech, or you, knows exactly what was done and when.
Typical 2026 pricing in McLean runs $180 to $450 for electrical and control repairs, $250 to $500 for loop purging and flow balancing, and $600 to $1,900 when a compressor, reversing valve, or refrigerant leak is involved. The diagnosis drives the price, which is why we test before we quote. If you want to know what geothermal heat pump service McLean VA costs for your system, call us with the symptoms and we will give you a realistic range before we arrive.
Typical Investment Range
$180 - $1,900 depending on scope
A geothermal system costs far more to replace than to repair. Spending a few hundred dollars on a capacitor, contactor, or loop purge keeps a system that should last decades running instead of sending you into a five-figure replacement.
What changes the price
Failed component type
A capacitor or contactor is a small repair. A compressor, reversing valve, or control board is a larger one. We confirm the failed part with testing before quoting, so you are not paying for parts you do not need.
Loop condition
Air-bound or clogged loops need purging and flow balancing, which adds time and equipment. A loop that needs antifreeze replacement costs more than one that just needs bleeding.
Refrigerant work required
Any repair that opens the sealed circuit requires recovery, vacuum, and recharge by weight. That adds labor and refrigerant cost, and it is unavoidable on leak repairs.
Access and unit location
Geothermal units in tight crawlspaces or finished basements take longer to service. We tell you upfront if access will affect the price.
After-hours or emergency timing
Nights, weekends, and holidays carry a higher rate. We quote the emergency rate before we dispatch so there is no surprise on the invoice.
Ductwork corrections
If airflow problems are contributing to the failure, sealing leaks and balancing registers may be needed. We quote that separately and only when the readings show it is necessary.
Google ★★★★★4.9
Fast, honest, and they actually understand geothermal. Diagnosed an air-bound loop in 20 minutes after another company told us the compressor was dead. Heat was back the same night.
Yelp ★★★★★4.8
Replaced our reversing valve and recharged the system. Clean work, fair price, and they tested everything through both heating and cooling before leaving. Would call again.
BBB ★★★★★5.0
Called on a Sunday with no heat. Tech arrived within 90 minutes, found a failed contactor, and had us running before he left. No emergency price gouging.
Google ★★★★★4.9
They maintain our geothermal system twice a year and it has never let us down. They show you the readings and explain what they mean. Straightforward people.
Geothermal work is a small slice of HVAC, and most technicians never touch a ground loop. Our techs hold NATE certification and EPA Section 608 certification, and we work under a Virginia HVAC contractor license with Fairfax County permits pulled when the job requires one. We have opened loop panels, purged air-bound circuits, and replaced reversing valves on Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Mitsubishi Electric, and Daikin geothermal systems across McLean. We also know the difference between a water-source unit and a direct-exchange unit, which matters the moment a diagnosis starts.
Real experiences from customers who chose our Geothermal Heat Pump Repair services.
“Our geothermal unit quit heating on a Friday night in January. They had a tech out by 9 p.m., found the loop was air-bound after a power flicker, purged it, and had heat back within two hours. He also showed me the flow reading before and after so I could see it was fixed, not just running.”
David R.
Homeowner, Langley Forest
“We had two other companies tell us the compressor was dead. McLean Heat Pump Pro Masters tested the capacitor and contactor first, replaced both for under $300, and the system has run fine for months. They saved us a five-figure replacement and did not try to upsell.”
Susan M.
Homeowner, Chesterbrook
“Our geothermal system was short-cycling and blowing cold air in heat mode. They diagnosed a stuck reversing valve, ordered the part, and came back two days later to install it. Everything was tested through a full heating and cooling cycle before they left. Honest pricing and clean work.”
Tom K.
Homeowner, West McLean
Real answers to the questions we hear most often from local homeowners and property managers.
Standard air-source heat pump repair covers the same electrical and refrigerant faults we see in geothermal units, minus the loop. If your system turns out to be air-source rather than ground-source, we handle it on the same visit.
View Heat Pump RepairWhen a geothermal compressor is grounded or a loop is beyond saving, installation is the next step. We size the replacement to your existing loop and ductwork so you are not paying for capacity you cannot use.
View Heat Pump InstallationTwice-a-year maintenance keeps loop strainers clean, refrigerant charge correct, and capacitors within spec. For geothermal owners in McLean, that is the cheapest way to avoid the repair call in the first place.
View Heat Pump MaintenanceGeothermal failures do not wait for business hours. Our emergency line covers no-heat and no-cool calls across McLean, including nights and weekends, with the same diagnostic process as a scheduled visit.
View Emergency Heat Pump RepairA geothermal unit that runs but blows cool air in heat mode usually has a reversing valve or charge problem. We test the valve, check superheat, and confirm the compressor is actually pumping before recommending parts.
View Heat Pump Not HeatingIn cooling mode, geothermal faults often trace to low loop flow or a dirty indoor coil. We measure entering and leaving water temperature, clean the coil, and verify the system is rejecting heat to the loop properly.
View Heat Pump Not CoolingCall us any time at (571) 760-4593 for heat pump repair in McLean, Virginia. We answer live 24/7, book same-day appointments, and dispatch emergency calls across Fairfax County. You can also email info@mcleanheatpumppromasters.com or stop by the shop during regular hours.
Phone
(571) 760-4593Address
7321 Hooking Rd, McLean, VA 22101
Hours
Mon–Fri: 7AM – 7PM
Sat: 8AM – 4PM
Sun: Emergency Only
24/7 Emergency Available
